The call, which covers the annual commitments for 2004 and 2005, is allocated to applications for Individual Projects and Programmes. The call allows for applications in a wide range of priority sectors, ranging from protection of the environment to conservation of the European cultural heritage, health and childcare and human resources development, and is open for potential applicants until 30 November 2005.
The financial mechanisms aim to reduce social and economic disparities within the European Economic Area (EEA), and to enable all EEA countries to participate fully in the Internal Market. The EEA Agreement makes the EEA EFTA states Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein part of the Internal Market, which was expanded from 18 to 28 member states at the same time as the European Union (EU) enlargement in May 2004.
Through the EEA Financial Mechanism, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will make a total 600 million euros available over a five-year period until 2009 to the ten countries which joined the EU in May 2004, and to Spain, Portugal and Greece. Under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, Norway will make an additional 567 million euros available over the same five-year period to the ten countries that joined the EU in May 2004.
The two financial mechanisms are administered by the Financial Mechanism Office in Brussels, which is affiliated to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Secretariat.