Empowering communities
With the European Week of Region and Cities, Brussels has become a meeting ground for regional and local actors, policymakers, and activists, all coming together to discuss how local development can make a global impact.
One of the highlights of the week was the workshop titled "Every voice matters: experiences in citizen engagement at local level," where over 100 participants gathered to discuss the critical importance of civil society in Europe. With the EU and the EEA and Norway Grants playing key roles in this conversation, Ragna Fidjestøl, Managing Director of the EEA and Norway Grants, highlighted the Grants’ long-standing commitment to grassroots movements, saying: "Since 2004, support to civil society has been a very important feature of the EEA and Norway Grants. It has always been important to Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, also because of the role civil society plays in their own countries. With the new agreement, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein have agreed with the EU that a total of 10% of the funding shall be earmarked for civil society support."
This substantial investment - €326 million over the next funding period - will go towards empowering local organisations that need resources, capacity building, and expertise to become drivers of change.
Valeria Setti, Deputy Head of Unit at the European Commission, captured the spirit of the workshop in her remarks: "We have heard from beneficiary organisations how, really, without support from the European Union on the one hand, and the EEA and Norway Grants on the other, there would be no funding going to the grassroots level. The very existence of civil society organisations would be threatened."
Together with the EU’s Citizens Equality Rights and Values (CERV) programme, the EEA and Norway Grants are supporting the voices that truly matter - those working on the ground.
Local development as a security measure
The second workshop hosted at the EFTA House focused on the theme of security, particularly in the context of local development. Titled "Local development as a security measure: lessons learnt from cooperation under the EEA and Norway Grants," this session explored the intricate connections between local democracy, economic development, and community resilience, especially in border regions. In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the discussions highlighted how essential it is for local authorities to strengthen defence and resilience in their communities.
The workshop featured an engaging panel discussion on how local governments can address security challenges while fostering inclusion and economic growth. Participants delved into the critical role that civic resilience plays in building secure and sustainable communities across Europe. In regions most affected by external threats, such as border areas, the focus on civic engagement and democracy is not just a question of development -it’s a matter of survival. "Thanks to your valuable cooperation, we were prepared when the crisis happened. So we could help Ukraine. We want to continue the operations, working with our Norwegian partners," said Pawel Woiciechowski, Deputy Mayor of Hrubieszow, Poland.
A vibrant exchange of ideas and innovation
Throughout the week, the EEA and Norway Grants showcased their commitment to fostering a strong civil society and vibrant local democracy at their exhibition stand. Conversations with regional authorities, civil society organizations, and EU officials were not only informative but inspirational, as participants discussed how local and regional actors can collaborate to empower communities.
Anna Striethorst, Senior Sector Officer for Civil Society with the EEA and Norway Grants, emphasised the significance of the Grants’ presence at the event: "We are really excited to be here to meet with local civil society activists, regional authorities, and local authorities to learn what they are doing in this area. We also want to meet with other funders like the European Union, which has been providing support for a long time too."
This week served as a powerful reminder of the essential role that civil society plays in defending democracy, protecting rights, and promoting inclusive development across Europe.
Moving forward
As the European Week of Regions and Cities came to a close, the discussions, debates, and workshops made one thing clear - empowering civil society is key to Europe’s future. The collaboration between the EEA and Norway Grants, the European Union, and local actors is more than a funding relationship, it’s a partnership for change.
For Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, this commitment is only growing stronger. The launch of the new Civil Society Fund is a testament to the vital role civil society plays in their own countries and across Europe. By supporting grassroots organisations and local authorities, the EEA and Norway Grants are ensuring that every voice matters.
If you missed the event, the work continues. Stay informed about upcoming initiatives and ways to get involved in supporting local communities across Europe. Find out more about our civil society work here.
