The three donor countries have allocated €809.3 million to a total of 11 programmes in Poland for the coming seven years. Poland remains the largest beneficiary country of the EEA and Norway Grants.
Other key priorities are local development, justice and home affairs (with emphasis on the correctional services and the courts) and culture. Civil society will also continue to be an important priority area. According to the new agreement, there will be two funds for civil society, one national (€30 million) and one regional (€23 million). Both funds will be operated by independent Fund Operators selected by means of an open tender.
Funding is also available for educational cooperation, health and social dialogue.
Opportunity to foster closer ties
The objectives of the programmes are to contribute to social and economic development in Poland and strengthen the cooperation between Poland and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
I welcome this important agreement, which should contribute to further reducing economic and social disparities within the European Economic Area and also bring a unique opportunity to foster closer ties, enhance cooperation and strengthen political relations between Iceland and Poland. We look forward to cooperating on renewable energy, in particular geothermal energy, research and education, culture and civil society, said the Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson.
The agreements were signed in Warsaw on 20 December 2018.
“I am happy to sign this new cooperation agreement with Poland. I hope that we will continue to succeed in realising projects which are of mutual benefit, in particular in the field of education and culture,” said Liechtenstein’s Foreign Minister, Aurelia Frick.
Business and innovation sector significantly strengthened
Building on the good cooperation established with Poland in the previous funding period, several areas will continue to receive support under this funding period. Funding for some areas will be strengthened.
“I am pleased that we have reached agreement on the framework for the new funding period for the EEA and Norway Grants to Poland. We look forward to continuing the important work that has been carried out under the previous period, and to strengthening efforts in the areas of business development, research and local development,” said the Norwegian Minister of EEA and EU Affairs, Marit Berger Røsland.
Environment, energy and climate change
In addition to the €140 million programme on environment, energy and climate change; programmes such as innovation and research will also have focus on this topic. For instance, funding will also be allocated to research on carbon capture and storage (CCS).
Within the business and innovation programme, green industry innovation and blue growth will be priorities.
Cooperation with partners in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
A total of 16 public agencies and institutions from the donor countries (thirteen from Norway, two from Iceland and one from Liechtenstein) are involved in the development and implementation of the programmes and will play key roles in facilitating cooperation between partners in the donor countries and Poland.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is involved in the local development programme as International Partner Organisation.
Overview of programmes
- Business Development and Innovation €85 million
Donor programme partner: Innovation Norway
- Research €110 million
Donor programme partner: Research Council of Norway
- Education €20 million
Donor programme partners: DIKU – Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education, National Agency for International Education Affairs, Liechtenstein (AIBA), Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS)
- Social dialogue - Decent work €6.12 million
Fund operator: Innovation Norway
- Health €20 million
Donor programme partner: Norwegian Directorate of Health
- Local Development €100 million
Donor programme partner: Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS)
International Partner Organisation: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
- Environment, Energy and Climate Change €140.0 million
Donor programme partners: Norwegian Environment Agency, Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, National Energy Authority of Iceland
- Culture €75 million
Donor programme partners: Arts Council Norway, Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage
- Civil Society €53 million
- Justice €70 million
Donor programme partners: Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Norwegian Courts Administration, Directorate of Norwegian Correctional Service (KDI)
- Home Affairs €20 million
Donor programme partners: Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection
- Bilateral Fund €16.9 million
Next steps
In the coming months, work will continue to be carried out in order to set up the programmes. Open calls for proposal will be announced at a later stage. Follow updates on the country page for Poland.
Find out more in the agreements: