On 23 September 2025 in Zagreb, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway signed new cooperation agreements with Croatia for the funding period 2021 – 2028.
Through the EEA and Norway Grants the donor states have allocated over 133.1 million euro to Croatia. The cooperation spans from fostering green transition, investments in local development, green and blue business innovation, and strengthening justice and the rule of law.
Today’s signing of the Memoranda confirms the continuous and successful cooperation between Croatia and Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Through projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants, we are strengthening institutional capacities, supporting sustainable development, inclusiveness, and innovation, and contributing long-term to improving the quality of life of our citizens. Nataša Mikuš Žigmane, Croatian Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds
Strengthening civil society will continue to be an important priority. The EEA Civil Society Fund will be operated by an independent Fund Operator, the Community Foundation Slagalica in consortium with SOLIDARNA Foundation and the Association for civil society development SMART.
Funds will also be allocated to address challenges experienced as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.
The priorities of the EEA Grants in the new funding period speak directly to some of the most urgent challenges facing Europe today: the green transition, democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and social inclusion and resilience. Iceland looks forward to further deepen the relationship with Croatia, building a more equal, sustainable, and united Europe. H.E. Helga Hauksdóttir, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission and Embassy of Iceland in Vienna
The overarching objective of the renewed cooperation is to contribute to social and economic development in Croatia and to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
For many years, Norway and Croatia have worked side by side to build a stronger Europe: more competitive, but also more inclusive; greener, and thus technologically and economically more efficient. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with Croatia and to working together for a stronger Europe. H.E. Arne Sannes Bjørnstad, Ambassador, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Zagreb
Find the agreements here:
Memorandum of Understanding EEA Grants Croatia 2021-2028
Memorandum of Understanding Norway Grants Croatia 2021-2028
Croatia will cooperate on four programmes with the EEA and Norway Grants in the 2021- 2028 period:
Green Transition
EEA and Norway Grants: 30.3 million euro
The green transition programme will accelerate the green transition towards a more sustainable society. Improving energy resilience and capacity building will be part of this programme that shall prioritise less developed regions such as islands, rural and mountainous areas.
Local Development
EEA Grants: 33 million euro
The local development programme will contribute to more resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities. It will enhance access to quality STEM education, civic education in less developed regions as well as inclusive education.
Green and Blue Business Innovation
Norway Grants: 22 million euro
The programme will strengthen green value creation and competitiveness by contributing to a sustainable economy based on a low-carbon, circular economy model.
Justice
Norway Grants: 21.55 million euro
The justice programme will increase access to an independent, accountable and efficient justice system of high quality in line with international and European human rights standards as well as improve correctional services. The programme will support measures to improve mediation.
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.
Read more about the programme areas and funds for EEA and Norway Grants 2021-2028.