Ragna Fidjestøl has since 2021 been the Policy Director for the EEA and Norway Grants within the Department for European Affairs and International Trade in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prior to this, she spent seven years working as the Head of the Country and Bilateral Department and the Bilateral Coordinator at the Financial Mechanism Office (the secretariat of the EEA and Norway Grants) in Brussels.
“During challenging times in Europe, the EEA and Norway Grants make their contribution to building a better future. Through the many targeted programmes, we are reducing social disparities and promoting equal opportunities, tackling climate change and promoting green growth. The cooperation across Donor and Beneficiary States involves an impressive number of state actors, private sector, civil society and international organisations sharing experience and working together to address common challenges. I look forward to working with our dedicated staff here in the Financial Mechanism Office in Brussels to assist the Donor and Beneficiary States in the implementation of the programmes and the design of future cooperation,” says Fidjestøl.
Fidjestøl has had a variety of positions over the course of her career, serving in Paris, Strasbourg, and Hanoi for both NORAD (the Norwegian Government Agency for Development) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH).