Paving the way for closer cooperation with Malta

Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have signed new Memoranda of Understanding with Malta on the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021. The agreements were signed in Valletta today. 

MoU signing Malta 1 February 2017

Through the EEA and Norway Grants, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have allocated EUR 8 million to Malta to reduce social and economic disparities and strengthen cooperation between the three donor countries and Malta. 

Public health, children and youth at risk, poverty reduction and culture will be key priority areas for cooperation with Malta over the next years. Support for strengthening civil society is continued. Several initiatives will target migrants and refugees.

‘Relations between Malta and Norway are good, but relatively limited in scope. The agreements signed today open up opportunities for strengthening cooperation in sectors that are important for us,’ said Minister of EEA and EU Affairs Frank Bakke-Jensen.

Want to take a look at the signed MoUs? You can find them here: 

Malta MoU EEA Grants 2014-2021 (in force as of 2 February 2017)

Malta MoU Norway Grants 2014-2021 (in force as of 2 February 2017)

EUR 8 million has been allocated to Malta through the EEA and Norway Grants to pave the way for closer cooperation between the three donor countries and Malta. Ambassador Bergdis Ellertsdottir, Head of the Icelandic Mission to the EU, signed the MoU on behalf of Iceland. Photo credit: FMO
In the years ahead, important areas of cooperation will be public health, children and youth at risk, poverty reduction and culture. Ambassador of Liechtenstein to the EU, Sabine Monauni, signed the MoU on behalf of Liechtenstein. Photo credit: FMO

Overview of programmes

Programme Partner(s) Allocation (EUR million) Social Dialogue – Decent Work Innovation Norway (Fund Operator) 0.03 Local Development and Poverty Reduction   5.98 Civil Society   0.70 Bilateral Funds   0.34 Reserve   0.00

About the EEA and Norway Grants

Through the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are partners in the European internal market. The EEA Agreement sets out the common goal of working together to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and strengthen cooperation between European countries. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway contribute to this through the EEA and Norway Grants. The EEA and Norway Grants amounts to EUR 2.8 billion in the period 2014-2021, and will be distributed between the 15 beneficiary countries.

Want to learn more about the EEA and Norway Grants? Check out the website for more information.