Hello! Since you are looking at the "About" tab, perhaps you are new to the world of the EEA and Norway Grants. Sit back and relax. In a few words, we will explain to you what this is all about.
EEA and Norway Grants in Europe
What are they
In the shortest terms, they are funds that Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway (Donor States) allocate for the development of 15 EU countries (Beneficiary States), including Poland.
In return, these three states benefit from access to the European Union's internal market despite not being members of the organization.
EEA and Norway Grants is the common name. In fact, two mechanisms are hidden beneath it, formally called:
- Norwegian Financial Mechanism,
- European Economic Area Financial Mechanism.
Objectives
The EEA and Norway Grants have 2 goals:
- reducing economic and social disparities within the European Economic Area,
- strengthening bilateral relations between Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Beneficiary States.
These objectives are the same in every country that benefits from the EEA and Norway Grants.
What they support
The objectives of individual countries must fall within three priorities:
- Green Transformation of Europe,
- Democracy, Rule of Law, and Human Rights,
- Social Inclusion and Resilience.
How much
Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway have agreed with the European Commission to allocate €3.268 billion for the 15 Beneficiary States within the fourth edition of the EEA and Norway Grants for the years 2021-2028.
A small clarification here. The dates 2021-2028 are conventional and were set by the Donor States to ensure the continuity of the respective perspectives. In practice, the EEA and Norway Grants can be implemented in Poland from April 23, 2025 (the date of signing the Memorandum of Understanding) until, in most cases, the end of April 2031.
EEA and Norway Grants in Poland
Allocation
In the fourth edition of the EEA and Norway Grants, Poland is the largest beneficiary. Our country has €925 million at its disposal.
Poland signed the international agreements with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway (Memoranda of Understanding) on this matter on April 23, 2025.
Programmes and Funds
The money will be allocated to:
- eight programmes to be managed by Polish public institutions (the so-called operators)
| Programme | Programme Operator | Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Research and Innovation | National Centre for Research and Development | 80 million EUR |
| Basic Research | National Science Centre | 60 million EUR |
| Local Development | Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy | 168 million EUR |
| Green Business and Innovation | Polish Agency for Enterprise Development | 55 million EUR |
| Justice | Ministry of Justice | 60 million EUR |
| Home Affairs | Ministry of Interior and Administration | 70 million EUR |
| Green Transition | Ministry of Climate and Environment | 160 million EUR |
| Culture | Ministry of Culture and National Heritage | 90 million EUR |
- Civil Society Fund for non-governmental organizations, which will be managed by a consortium of non-governmental organizations - 83.5 million EUR,
- Bilateral Cooperation Fund at the national level, which will support joint initiatives of entities from Poland, and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway - 11.7 million EUR,
- Technical Assistance, i.e., money to help implement the EEA and Norway Grants (e.g., for salaries, promotion) - 12.3 million EUR,
- smaller ventures, such as: Fund for Social Dialogue and Decent Work, Fund for Capacity Building and Cooperation with International Partner Organizations and Institutions, Donors' management costs.
Institutions
The Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy is wholly responsible for the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants in Poland. Formally, the ministry is the National Focal Point for the EEA and Norway Grants.
Individual programmes are implemented by the programme operators. Most of them are Polish public institutions.
The exception here is the Civil Society Fund, whose operator is a consortium of non-governmental organizations selected directly by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Operators announce their programmes, organize calls for proposals, evaluate applications, and grant funding.
On behalf of Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, the Financial Mechanism Office in Brussels oversees the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants in all Beneficiary States.
Calls for Proposals
Currently, the programme operators are not running any calls for proposals, as they are working on their programmes, which must be approved by the Donor States.
We plan to sign the first agreements for the programmes at the beginning of 2026.
The first calls for proposals should start in the first half of 2026.
Implementation Period
The eligibility period for projects of the fourth edition of the EEA and Norway Grantsin Poland started on April 24, 2025, and lasts until April 30, 2031. This means that expenditures incurred by beneficiaries during this time can be reimbursed (i.e., are eligible).
The Bilateral Cooperation Fund has a slightly longer eligibility period – until April 30, 2032.
The final report on the implementation of the fourth edition of the EEA and Norway Grants will be prepared in 2032.
Funduszy Norweskich i EOG powstanie w 2032 roku.