On 4 November in Prague, the three Donor States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway signed Memoranda of Understanding with Czechia allocating a total of €225.2 million for the EEA and Norway Grants funding period 2021-2028.
The EEA and Norway Grants are among Norway’s most important contributions to a strong, secure and united Europe. We are happy to renew our partnership with the Czech Republic and continue our cooperation on promoting the green transition, democracy and more resilient, inclusive communities. Together we will continue to strengthen civil society and work within important sectors like culture, public health and research and innovation.
Astrid Bergmål, State secretary of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The EEA and Norway Grants 2021-2028 aim to promote the European green transition, democracy, rule of law, and human rights, as well as social inclusion and resilience. 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. Gender equality and digitalisation will be mainstreamed and form part of all relevant programme areas.
The EEA Grants represent a cornerstone of Iceland’s partnership with the Czech Republic, fostering cooperation built on shared values and mutual benefit. Over the years, our collaboration has produced meaningful results across diverse fields, strengthening the ties between our institutions and peoples. As we enter the new funding period, Iceland remains firmly committed to further deepening this partnership to address common challenges and promote sustainable growth.
Ágúst Már Ágústsson, Deputy Head of the Icelandic Mission to Czechia
Furthermore, an earmarked amount of approximately €11.3 million will address the challenges experienced as a result of the invasion of Ukraine. This funding will primarily support projects under the programmes Culture, Research and Innovation, Public Health as well as Education and Training.
In recent years, the EEA Grants have realized projects with a broad and lasting impact across the Czech Republic. With this agreement, we aim to build on these achievements. We are particularly pleased that the EEA Grants also contribute to preserving the Czech Republic’s remarkable cultural heritage — a heritage including centuries of shared history and representing an enduring part of Europe’s rich cultural landscape
Liechtenstein’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Simon Biedermann
Our cooperation with partner countries within the EEA and Norway Grants has clearly proven its worth. It is great news for everyone involved that we have agreed to continue it. Now comes the time to negotiate and set the specific focus of all the programmes and specify the parameters of the individual calls for proposals through which successful applicants from the public and private sector will subsequently receive funding for their projects.
Tomáš Holub, Deputy Minister of Finance of the Czech Republic
Find the agreements here:
Memorandum of Understanding EEA Grants Czechia 2021-2028
Memorandum of Understanding Norway Grants Czechia 2021-2028
Building on the achievements of the 2014–2021 funding period, the donor states and Czezhia have agreed on six programmes for the 2021–2028 period:
Culture
Funding: € 45 million (EEA Grants)
Programme Operator: Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic
Donor Programme Partner(s): Arts and Culture Norway ; The Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage ; The Icelandic Centre for Research
The programme will boost the role of culture in local development, resilience, and social cohesion, with a focus on democracy, inclusion, and disadvantaged areas. It will support revitalising cultural heritage into local inclusive community hubs and dedicate at least 15% of funds to cultural creation, cooperation, and outreach, especially for minorities and vulnerable groups, including Roma.
Research and Innovation
Funding: €43 million
Programme Operator: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
Donor Programme Partner(s): Research Council of Norway; The Icelandic Centre for Research
The programme’s objective is to enhance excellence in research and research-based innovation, strengthening the foundations for the green and digital transitions, democracy, rule of law, human rights, social inclusion and resilience. The programme will also support the social sciences and humanities and enhance the career progression of early-stage and female researchers.
Green Transition
Funding: € 30 million (Norway Grants)
Programme Operator: State Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic
Donor Programme Partner(s): Norwegian Environment Agency
The programme will accelerate the green transition towards a more sustainable society. The parties agreed to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems, restore nature and find nature-based solutions with this programme.
Public Health
Funding: € 25 million (Norway Grants)
Programme Operator: Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic
Donor Programme Partner(s): Norwegian Directorate of Health
The programme will address mental health—especially for children, women, and vulnerable groups—and antimicrobial resistance. It will also support women’s health, including responses to domestic and gender-based violence, with attention to vulnerable groups such as Roma. Around €3.5 million are earmarked to address domestic and gender-based violence.
Education and Training
Funding: € 20.5 million (EEA Grants)
Programme Operator: Czech National Agency for International Education and Research
Donor Programme Partner(s): Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills ; National Agency for International Education Affairs of Liechtenstein
With this programme, the donor states will enhance quality, access and relevance of education and training for the green and digital transitions, human rights, democracy and youth employment. They will support civic education and citizenship competences in the Czech Republic and the development of pedagogical competences of current and future teachers. They will also assist in strengthening information integrity and media literacy.
Roma Inclusion and Empowerment
Funding: € 15 million (Norway Grants)
Programme Operator: Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic
International Partner Organisation: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
The programme shall include measures to address the specific needs and the empowerment of Roma women and other vulnerable groups of Roma. The programme will also include calls for proposals to build capacity among Roma and pro-Roma civil society organisations.
Bilateral cooperation
The involvement of eight donor partners in the development and implementation of the aforementioned programmes showcases the close bilateral cooperation between entities in Czechia and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The Funds for bilateral relations amount to approximately €6.4 million. At national level funds will be made available to support bilateral cooperation addressing improved correctional services in line with international and European human rights standards
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.
