The three donor countries have allocated €37.7 million to 4 programmes and funds in Slovenia for the coming years.
Download the full agreements:
EEA Grants Slovenia - Memorandum of Understanding 2014-2021
Norway Grants Slovenia - Memorandum of Understanding 2014-2021
Continuing education cooperation
The agreements include a programme on Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship. The programme will focus on developing pilots and models for systematic solutions strengthening the competences of professors, teachers and other academic staff. Special attention will likewise be given to easing the transition from education to the labour market and measures for improving work-life balance. Scholarships will also be made available for students and staff in higher education and vocational training.
The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (SIU) and the National Agency of International Education Affairs (AIBA) of Liechtenstein are donor programme partners in the programme.
"I am very happy that the MoU with Slovenia again includes an education programme. I am convinced that we will be able to build on the success and good experience we made in this field under the previous programming period. And I hope that we can further develop our bilateral projects”, stated Liechtenstein Foreign Minister Aurelia Frick.
Climate Change
The largest programme under the new agreements will focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation where the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA) will be a donor programme partner.
"Norway has a good deal to offer when it comes to education and adaptation to climate change. It is therefore natural for us to help Slovenia to address challenges in these areas, which are important for sustainability and competitiveness throughout Europe," said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.
The programme aims to increase public awareness of climate change and improve planning and management competencies among key stakeholders in Slovenia. Particular attention will be paid to greenhouse gas emissions.
"I welcome this important step, in particular the priority we are placing on addressing climate change in this MoU. Iceland is ready to share experiences and good practices. We look forward to future work with Slovenia" said Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson.
Ambassador Bergdis Ellertsdottir, Head of the Icelandic Mission to the EU, signed the agreements on behalf of Iceland. Photo: FMO
The agreements also include a programme on Civil Society and a programme on Social Dialogue – Decent Work, where Innovation Norway will be involved. The programme will focus on improving tripartite cooperation between employer organisations, trade unions and public authorities and promoting decent work.
Next steps
In the coming months work will continue to set up the programmes. Open calls for proposals will be announced at a later stage. Follow updates on the country page for Slovenia.
Overview of programmes
- Education, Scholarships, Apprenticeship and Youth Entrepreneurship €13.5 million
- Donor programme partners: DIKU – Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education, National Agency of International Education Affairs (AIBA) of Liechtenstein
- Climate Change Mitigation, and Adaptation €14.5 million
- Donor programme partner: Norwegian Environment Agency
- Civil Society €3 million
- Social Dialogue – Decent Work €0.18 million
- Fund operator: Innovation Norway
- Bilateral Fund €0.75 million
About the EEA and Norway Grants
Under the EEA Agreement, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are part of 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. For the period 2014-2021, a total contribution of €2.8 billion has been agreed. Slovenia will receive €37.7 million of this total.