An essential part of the EEA and Norway Grants is to support cooperation.
One project that has received funding by the Grants, is the Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR) in Cyprus.
In Nicosia, the capital, a “green line” separates the Turkish and Greek community, leaving Cyprus a divided island.
Through funding by the EEA and Norway Grants, CVAR is using storytelling, art, and collaborative projects to bridge the gap between the two communities.
At the European Week of Regions and Cities, visitors could learn more about CVAR’s project through an immersive virtual reality tour: walk around Nicosia, and visit the CVAR museum.
Meeting with partners
Many of the participants at the European Week of Regions and Cities were interested in learning more about programme areas funded by the EEA and Norway Grants.
“We meet a lot of our partners from the Beneficiary States, and also project promoters, who are interested in the upcoming grants,” said Ragna Fidjestøl, Managing Director of the EEA and Norway Grants.
“So, we see a lot of people looking forward to the next edition, and we are also looking forward to working with them!”
New funding period
In recent months, the Donor States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, have signed new cooperation agreements with Poland, Estonia, Slovakia, Portugal, Croatia and Latvia.
More agreements are coming up, making it possible for new projects to apply for funding.
In Estonia, priority will be given to green transition, crisis preparedness, innovation, and public health. In Portugal, European green transition, democracy, rule of law and human rights, and social inclusion and resilience are thematic priorities – to mention a few.
New Civil Society Fund
Last autumn, a new EEA Civil Society Fund was launched by the Donor States.
An allocation of more than €300 million will strengthen the support provided by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway to civil society to an unprecedented level.
The fund will focus on advancing democratic values and processes in the EU, as well as the development and sustainability of civil society organisations.
“Supporting civil society fosters greater understanding and stability within states. It also enables friendly relations and cooperation between states,” said Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, during the launch.
The EEA Civil Society Fund comes at a critical juncture, as many European countries are experiencing a backslide in democratic standards.
Biggest annual event in Brussels
The European Week of Regions and Cities is a yearly hub for regional cooperation and innovation.
The Week was launched in 2003 and is the biggest annual Brussels-based event. The Week offers a platform where regional and urban challenges are addressed, and knowledge is shared.
Among the participants were citizens, politicians, policymakers, civil society representatives, and representatives from the private sector.