The Memoranda of Understanding were signed on 5 June 2025, in Trenčín, Slovakia.
The three Donor States have allocated €130.7 million to three programmes and funds to be implemented in Slovakia.
In the coming years, the main joint priorities will be culture, green transition, domestic and gender-based violence, and Roma inclusion and empowerment.
Strengthening civil society will continue to be an important priority. The EEA Civil Society Fund will be operated by the independent Fund Operator Ekopolis Foundation, in consortium with Carpathian Foundation and Open Society Foundation.
Funds will also be allocated to address the challenges arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
H.E. Susan Eckey, Ambassador of Norway to Austria and Slovakia, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vienna and Mr Samuel Migaľ, Minister of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic. Photo: Lina Marcinkute.
The overarching objective of the renewed cooperation is to contribute to social and economic development in Slovakia and to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between Slovakia and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Furthermore, the agreement between the three donor states and Slovakia, paves the way for important contributions to thematic priorities of the EEA and Norway Grants: European green transition; democracy, rule of law and human rights; and social inclusion and resilience.
Memorandum of Understanding EEA Grants Slovakia 2021-2028
Memorandum of Understanding Norway Grants Slovakia 2021-2028
These grants are not just an investment in specific projects. They are investments in people, communities and confidence in the future. We can see that these funds are truly making Slovakia a better place. Mr Samuel Migaľ, Minister of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic
Green transition
The green transition programme will be focused on accelerating a more sustainable society and improving disaster resilience. Emphasis will be placed on climate change adaptation, including measures to address extreme weather events, with a focus on application of innovative solutions. The programme will also include measures to enhance resilience and preparedness for environmental and civil protection challenges.
Enhanced social inclusion
The social programme will focus on preventing and combatting domestic and gender-based violence in line with international and European human rights standards, and enhancing inclusion and empowerment of Roma, with a focus on marginalised Roma communities. Particular attention also will be given to women, children and youth, as well as to supporting an integrated approach.
Culture-driven local development
The main objective of the culture programme is increased participation, sustainability and diversity in arts, culture and cultural heritage. It aims to strengthen the sector’s capacity to drive sustainable local development, resilience and social cohesion, especially through strengthening democracy, resistance to disinformation, hate speech and extremism and increasing participation and community engagement.
In Slovakia, our efforts will concentrate primarily on the Culture Driven Local Development Programme. We are pleased that Rannís - the Icelandic Centre for Research - will act as Donor Programme Partner. This reflects our commitment to meaningful cultural cooperation with Slovakia. We are confident that their involvement will help deepen cultural exchange and cooperation between our countries. H.E. Helga Hausdóttir, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Embassy and Permanent Mission of Iceland in Vienna
Bilateral cooperation
The agreement also stipulates a continuation of the close cooperation and bilateral exchange between entities in Slovakia, and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Five public entities from the Donor States (four from Norway, and one from Iceland) will be involved in the development and implementation of the programmes. They will play a key role in facilitating cooperation between partners in the Donor States and Slovakia.
The Council of Europe and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights will be involved in the social programme as International Partner Organisations.
The close partnership between Slovakia and Norway within the framework of the EEA and Norway Grants fosters long-term knowledge exchange, capacity building, and strengthened bilateral relations across various sectors - from NGOs to government institutions, from experts to municipalities. Opening this new phase of our partnership provides us with the opportunity to deepen our collaboration and impact further. H.E. Susan Eckey, Ambassador of Norway to Austria and Slovakia, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vienna
H.E. Helga Hausdóttir, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Embassy and Permanent Mission of Iceland in Vienna, H.E. Susan Eckey, Ambassador of Norway to Austria and Slovakia, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vienna and Mr Peter Medved, Director of the Ekopolis Foundation. Photo: Lina Marcinkute.
Programmes 2021-2028
The three agreed programmes are:
Green transition
EEA Grant: €26,700,000
Programme Operator: Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic
Donor programme partner: Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate
Social
Norway Grant: €23,400,000
Programme Operator: Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic
Donor programme partner: Norwegian Directorate of Health
International Partner Organisations: Council of Europe, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights
Culture-driven local development
Norway Grant: €52,500,000
Donor programme partners: Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage, Arts and Culture Norway, Icelandic Centre for Research (Rannís)
Funds for bilateral relations
EEA and Norway Grants: €3,800,000
Gender equality and digitalisation will be mainstreamed and form part of all relevant programme areas.
Slovakia, like many other countries, has experienced various challenges resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The programmes and bilateral funds will include measures to tackle these challenges.
In the months ahead, the relevant Slovakian and donor partners will develop the programmes. Implementation of programmes and first open calls for project proposals are expected to start and to be announced in the beginning of 2026.
The EEA and Norway Grants 2021-2028
The EEA and Norway Grants are funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The Grants have two goals – to contribute to a more equal Europe, both socially and economically – and to strengthen the relations between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and the 15 Beneficiary States in Europe.
The EEA and Norway Grants 2021-2028 will allocate €3.268 billion to support Europe’s green transition, democracy, and social resilience across 15 programme areas, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Read more about the programme area and funds for EEA and Norway Grants 2021-2028.