The agreement was signed in Lisbon on 8 july 2025 by the Portuguese Secretary of State for Planning and Regional Development, Hélder Reis, and the respective Ambassadors of the Donor States.
Today we celebrate a new cycle of cooperation between Portugal, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. It is a day to reaffirm the excellent bilateral relations between countries that share common values. The EEA Grants represent, for Portugal, a commitment to innovation, sustainable development, and a fairer and more inclusive society. With a total allocation over €126 million, for a period extending to 2028, this Mechanism will help fund projects across key thematic areas: blue growth; environment; culture; and combating domestic and gender-based violence, including justice-related projects. Hélder Reis, Secretary of State for Planning and Regional Development
The three donor states have allocated a total of €126.3 million to Portugal for the next seven years. Four key programmes will contribute to the thematic priorities of the Grants: European green transition; democracy, rule of law and human rights; and social inclusion and resilience.
- Blue Growth (€49 million): Increasing value creation and sustainable growth in Portugal’s blue economy by supporting green and blue innovation, research and skills development.
- Green Transition (€29.5 million): Accelerating green transition towards a more sustainable society through initiatives on air, water and soil pollution; circular economy; biodiversity; and the application of innovative nature-based solutions.
- Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (€12 million): Combatting domestic and gender-based violence, supporting minorities and persons in vulnerable situations, and advancing gender equality.
- Culture (€9 million): Increasing participation, sustainability and diversity in arts, culture and cultural heritage.
Memorandum of Understanding EEA Grants Portugal 2021-2028
The next phase of the EEA Grants will further strengthen the extensive cooperation between Norway and Portugal in priority areas such as the blue economy, environment, culture and gender equality. The mechanism will contribute to enhancing European competitiveness and strengthening civil society at a time when European nations need to come together and support each other. Hanne Brusletto, Ambassador of Norway to Portugal
Ambassador of Iceland to Portugal, Unnur Orradóttir Ramette, Ambassador of Norway to Portugal, Hanne Brusletto and Secretary of State for Planning and Regional Development, Hélder Reis. Photo: JJ Bica.
Strengthening international cooperation
A total of €3 million has been earmarked to strengthen bilateral relations, enabling partnerships between Portuguese and Donor State institutions. 12 public institutions from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein will be involved in the four programmes in cooperation with their Portuguese counterparts. Alongside programme-level cooperation, funds for bilateral relations at national-level will also allow for more joint initiatives to be established under strategic priority areas to be set in the coming months.
Furthermore, the Council of Europe will contribute to the Domestic and Gender-Based Violence programme as an International Partner Organisation.
Through an earmarked contribution of € 6.3 million, the programmes will also address challenges experienced in Portugal as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.
The EEA Grants have been an excellent platform for strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Donor States and Portugal. Our partnership has been both constructive and mutually beneficial and Iceland looks forward to continuing this collaboration in the new funding period. Unnur Orradóttir Ramette, Ambassador of Iceland to Portugal
In the months ahead the Portuguese and donor partners will engage in programme development and the first open calls for project proposals are expected to be announced in early 2026.
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will also continue to contribute to Portuguese civil society through a dedicated EEA Civil Society Fund. An independent Portuguese Fund Operator will be selected in an open tender and announced in the autumn.
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.