The Memoranda of Understanding were signed on 5 June 2025, in Trenčín, Slovakia. 130.7 million euro have been allocated to cooperation with Slovakia through the EEA and Norway Grants.
The aim is to contribute to social and economic development in Slovakia and to strengthen the bilateral relations between Norway and Slovakia. The Grants are important instruments in the Norwegian government’s active policy to contribute to a green, democratic, and resilient Europe.
The main joint priorities will be culture, green transition, domestic and gender-based violence, and Roma inclusion and empowerment.
The overarching objective of the renewed cooperation is to contribute to social and economic development in Slovakia and to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between Slovakia and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Furthermore, the agreement between the three donor states and Slovakia, paves the way for important contributions to thematic priorities of the EEA and Norway Grants: European green transition; democracy, rule of law and human rights; and social inclusion and resilience.
The green transition programme will be focused on accelerating a more sustainable society and improving disaster resilience. Emphasis will be placed on climate change adaptation, including measures to address extreme weather events, with a focus on application of innovative solutions. The programme will also include measures to enhance resilience and preparedness for environmental and civil protection challenges.
The social programme will focus on preventing and combatting domestic and gender-based violence in line with international and European human rights standards, and enhancing inclusion and empowerment of Roma, with a focus on marginalised Roma communities. Particular attention also will be given to women, children and youth, as well as to supporting an integrated approach.
The main objective of the culture programme is increased participation, sustainability and diversity in arts, culture and cultural heritage. It aims to strengthen the sector’s capacity to drive sustainable local development, resilience and social cohesion, especially through strengthening democracy, resistance to disinformation, hate speech and extremism and increasing participation and community engagement.
| Programme | Amount | Programme Operator | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green transition | €26,700,000 | Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic | Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate |
| Social | €23,400,000 | Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic | Norwegian Directorate of Health International Partner Organisations: Council of Europe, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights |
| Culture-driven local development | €52,500,000 |
Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic | Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage, Arts and Culture Norway, Icelandic Centre for Research (Rannís) |
| Funds for bilateral relations | €3,800,000 |
Gender equality and digitalisation will be mainstreamed and form part of all relevant programme areas.
Slovakia, like many other countries, has experienced various challenges resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The programmes and bilateral funds will include measures to tackle these challenges.
Strengthening civil society will continue to be an important priority. The EEA Civil Society Fund will be operated by the independent Fund Operator Ekopolis Foundation, in consortium with Carpathian Foundation and Open Society Foundation.
The agreement also stipulates a continuation of the close cooperation and bilateral exchange between entities in Slovakia, and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Five public entities from the Donor States (four from Norway, and one from Iceland) will be involved in the development and implementation of the programmes. They will play a key role in facilitating cooperation between partners in the Donor States and Slovakia.
The Council of Europe and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights will be involved in the social programme as International Partner Organisations.
