For the period 2009-2014, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will provide €26,9 million to Slovenia.
Reducing health inequalities and lifestyle-related diseases feature as priorities in the current period. Public health and primary care structures in Slovenia are facing challenges and changing needs in particular as regards non-communicable diseases, mental health and healthy lifestyle in different socio-economic groups.
Biodiversity, environmental monitoring and preservation of natural and cultural heritage are also priorities. Slovenia has one of the highest bio-diversities in Europe, and the programme will focus on preserving the Natura 2000 sites, as well as cultural sites, and making them accessible to the public.
The NGO Fund, aimed at strengthening civil society in Slovenia, has already started the first round of calls for proposals.
Other areas that will be covered are decent work and tripartite dialogue, bilateral scholarship cooperation, and gender equality and work life balance.
Strengthening bilateral ties
Welcoming the participants at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre on 19 June the Norwegian Ambassador to Slovenia Tove Skarstein stressed the importance of the Grants as a tool to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein and Slovenia.
The opening remarks were followed by presentation of different programme areas that have been agreed upon for this period, information about how to best develop bilateral partnerships, and presentations of the NGO sectors in Slovenia, Norway and Iceland.
The second part of the event consisted of thematic discussions, where participants from both Norwegian and Slovenian organisations could discuss potential partnerships in smaller groups, and inform each other about their respective national sectors.
For more information about the EEA and Norway Grants support to Slovenia:
http://norwaygrants.si/
https://www.facebook.com/NorwayGrantsSlovenia
http://eeagrants.org/Slovenia