The three donor countries have allocated € 924.9 million to a total of 8 programmes in Poland. Poland remains the largest beneficiary country of the EEA and Norway Grants.
The joint priorities will be green transition, research, justice and culture.
Civil society will also continue to be an important priority. The EEA Civil Society Fund will be operated by an independent Fund Operator selected in an open tender.
An earmarked contribution will address challenges experienced as a result of invasion of Ukraine.
The objective of the programme is to contribute to social and economic development in Poland and to strengthen the cooperation between Poland and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
The agreement was signed in Warsaw on 23 April 2025.
Read the Memorandum of Understanding on the EEA Grants for Poland 2021-2028
Read the Memorandum of Understanding on the Norway Grants for Poland 2021-2028
For us this agreement is an important sign of solidarity across Europe. The Grant' support for municipalities and NGOs is an important part of our cooperation with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz
Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Polish Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy and HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.
Accelerating the green transition
Thanks to the agreement between the three donor countries and Poland, important achievements will be made possible under the priorities of the EEA and Norway Grants: European green transition; democracy, rule of law and human rights; and social inclusion and resilience.
The parties agreed on a programme for accelerating the green transition towards a more sustainable society. Climate-friendly solutions will be emphasised, contributing to improved energy efficiency and a reduction in Poland's CO2 emissions.
Martin Eyjólfsson, Icelandic Permanent Secretary of State, and Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Polish Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy.
Strengthened cooperation with research and innovation
With two large research programmes, the donors are assisting Poland in becoming a leader in applied and basic research, bringing substantial benefits to Polish society and economy. This will help strengthening the foundations for the green and digital transitions and have positive effects on the state of democracy, social inclusion, and resilience in Poland. Both programmes will contribute to overcoming barriers for the career progression of early-stage and female researchers.
Strengthened judicial cooperation, paired with considerable support for civil society, will contribute to the promotion of democratic values, the rule of law, and human rights.
The culture programme will support Polish institutions in increasing participation, sustainability and diversity in arts as well as fostering culture and cultural heritage.
Pascal A.R. Schafhauser, Ambassador of Liechtenstein, and Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Polish Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy.
Reinforced bilateral cooperation
The agreement also foresees a continuation of close cooperation and exchange between entities in Poland and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
A total of 13 public agencies and institutions from the donor countries (12 from Norway, and one from Iceland) are involved in the development and implementation of the programmes. They will play key roles in facilitating cooperation between partners in the donor countries and Poland.
The Council of Europe is involved in the Justice programme as International Partner Organisation.
Today’s signing marks another important step in our shared efforts to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe. Through the EEA Grants, Liechtenstein values the opportunity to foster dialogue and support sustainable development with our Polish partners. Sabine Monauni, Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein
We are proud to continue our close cooperation with Poland through the EEA and Norway Grants. This new funding period will allow us to work together to strengthen green innovation, social cohesion, and democratic values - key pillars for a resilient and forward-looking Europe. Espen Barth Eide, Foreign Minister of Norway
Today’s agreement deepens our longstanding partnership with Poland and reaffirms our commitment to a democratic and resilient Europe. Through the EEA Grants, we continue working together to support equal opportunities, strengthen civil society and build a more inclusive future. Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Foreign Minister of Iceland
Programmes 2021-2028
The agreed programmes are:
Applied Research and Innovation
€80,000,000
Programme Operator: The National Centre for Research and Development
Donor programme partners: The Research Council of Norway, The Icelandic Centre for Research (Rannis)
Basic Research
€60,000,000
Programme Operator: The National Science Centre (NCN)
Donor programme partners: The Research Council of Norway, The Icelandic Centre for Research (Rannis)
Culture
€90,000,000
Programme Operator: Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
Donor programme partners: Arts and Culture Norway, The Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage, The Icelandic Centre for Research (Rannis)
Green Business and Innovation
€55,000,000
Programme Operator: Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP)
Donor programme partner: Innovation Norway
Green Transition
€160,000,000
Programme Operator: Ministry of Climate and Environment with support from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management
Donor programme partners: Norwegian Environment Agency, The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, The Icelandic Centre for Research (Rannis)
Home Affairs
€70,000,000
Programme Operator: Ministry of Interior and Administration with support from the European Projects Implementation Centre
Donor programme partners: The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning, National Police Directorate
Justice
€60,000,000
Programme Operator: Ministry of Justice
Donor programme partners: The Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Directorate of the Norwegian Correctional service, Norwegian Courts Administration.
International Partner Organisation: The Council of Europe.
Local Development
€168,000,000
Programme Operator: Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy
Donor programme partner: The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities
Funds for bilateral relations
€16,600,000
Gender equality and digitalization will be mainstreamed and form part of all relevant programme areas.
Poland, as other countries, has experienced substantial challenges resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The programmes and bilateral funds will include measures for addressing these challenges.
The EEA and Norway Grants 2021-2028
The EEA and Norway Grants are funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The Grants have two goals – to contribute to a more equal Europe, both socially and economically – and to strengthen the relations between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and the 15 Beneficiary States in Europe.
The EEA and Norway Grants 2021-2028 will allocate €3.268 billion to support Europe’s green transition, democracy, and social resilience across 15 programme areas, fostering collaboration and innovation.