Each year, the Norwegian Donor Programme Partners (DPPs) join forces to promote the EEA and Norway Grants towards the Norwegian audience at the democracy festival “Arendalsuka” in Southern Norway. The festival gathers politicians, media, companies, organisations, and the general public, such as students and school children. Joining the DPPs this year were representatives from their Polish and Romanian partners.
Delegations from Polish and Romanian National Focal Points and Programme Operators joined the political festival. ©Sindre Helvig
With the aim to educate school children, the activities highlighted a selection of EEA and Norway Grants projects, and the children were invited to spin a wheel and answer a quiz with facts about the projects and the Grants.
Children were invited to spin a wheel and answer a fun quiz about the Grants. ©Sindre Helvig
“One of the most important things we do”
This year the DPPs celebrated 20 years of the EEA Grants with cake for all, balloons and a panel debate on the achievements of the Grants. The panel consisted of the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heads of major donor programme partners and representatives from media and academia.
The panel discussed the results from 20 years of the EEA and Norway Grants. From left to right: Special Advisor on the EU and EEA at the Norwegian Association for Local and Regional Authorities, Ms. Christina Kullmann Five, The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Espen Barth Eide, Professor of Political Science at the University of Southeast Norway, Dr. Jan Erik Grindheim, CEO of Innovation Norway, Mr. Håkon Haugli, former Europe correspondent for the Norwegian Broadcasting Cooperation, Mr. Roger Severin Bruland and President of the Norwegian Association for Local and Regional Authorities, Ms. Gunn Marit Helgesen. ©The Norwegian Association for Local and Regional Authorities
The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Espen Barth Eide, stated that the EEA and Norway Grants are a vital part of Norwegian foreign policy, and that the mechanism is a smart way to achieve Norwegian objectives of contributing to a more prosperous, fair, and stable Europe.
Mr. Håkon Haugli, CEO of Innovation Norway, agreed, and highlighted that, for Innovation Norway, the projects they support through the Grants are some of the most important things they do, as they all contribute to a more stable Europe for all.
President of the Norwegian Association for Local and Regional Authorities, Ms. Gunn Marit Helgesen, said that the EEA Grants projects make her warm at heart and that they are central in strengthening local communities in the Beneficiary States.
Watch the full panel conversation here (in Norwegian):