Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and the European Union have now signed an agreement on a new funding period for the EEA and Norway Grants.

The aim of the EEA and Norway Grants scheme is to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and enhance cooperation between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and the Beneficiary States.   

The agreement was signed in Brussels by Pascal Schafhauser, Liechtenstein's Ambassador to the EU, Anders Eide, Norway’s Ambassador to the EU, John Watson, Deputy Secretary-General from the EU and Kristján Andri Stefánsson, Iceland’s Ambassador to the EU.

Negotiations on a new funding period for the EEA and Norway Grants were formally launched in June 2022, and negotiators reached agreement in November 2023. On 25 June 2024, the agreement was approved by the Council of the EU, which represents the Member States of the European Union.   

The agreement was signed in Brussels today by Norway’s Ambassador to the EU Anders Eide, Kristján Andri Stefánsson, Iceland’s Ambassador to the EU, Pascal Schafhauser, Liechtenstein's Ambassador to the EU, and Deputy Secretary-General John Watson from the EU. 

“For the next seven years, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will provide EUR 3.2 billion to 15 EU Member States to enhance cohesion in Europe. We will build on - and continue - the cooperation we have had for the last 20 years to address some of Europe’s main challenges, such as the green transition, protecting democracy and human rights, strengthening social inclusion and making Europe more resilient," says Ragna Fidjestøl, Managing Director of the Financial Mechanism Office in Brussels managing the EEA and Norway Grants.  

The agreements to be drawn up for each Beneficiary State will set out a portfolio of programmes to be implemented and specify the partners, including partners from the Donor States, that will cooperate on programme implementation.  

For the 2021–2028 period, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are providing 3.2 billion to 15 EU Member States to enhance cohesion in Europe. A total of EUR 183 million has been earmarked for measures to help address the ramifications of Russia’s war on Ukraine in the Beneficiary States.   

The three priority areas that have been designated are: 

  • European green transition 
  • Democracy, rule of law and human rights 
  • Social inclusion and resilience 

Find out more here: Agreement on EEA and Norway Grants - regjeringen.no

Find out more about the EEA and Norway Grants here: Home | EEA Grants

For press enquiries please contact Head of Communication Eva Honningsvåg at eva.honningsvag@efta.int and +32 (0) 492 148 173