The EEA grants are allocated under two separate mechanisms: the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the EEA Financial Mechanism. Their purpose is to promote social and economic cohesion in Europe.
In the years leading up to 2009, Norway will contribute EUR 70.33 million to Slovakia through EEA grants. This opens new opportunities for co-operation between Slovakia and Norway.
A wide range of public authorities and institutions, organisations and businesses in Slovakia are eligible for funding, such as:
- Local and regional authorities
- Central authorities
- Civil society organisations (including NGOs)
- Private enterprises
- Education/research institutions
Projects and programmes within a number of sectors may be supported. Priority sectors include:
- Protection of the environment
- Conservation of the cultural heritage
- Education and training
- Health and childcare
- The judiciary (home affairs) and the Schengen co-operation
- Regional policy and cross-border activities
- Academic research in these priority sectors
Specific focus areas and forms of grant assistance in Slovakia are listed in annex B and C of the Memorandum of Understanding, available here
In all these priority sectors there are Norwegian institutions, organisations and businesses that are interested in entering into mutually beneficial co-operation on the development and implementation of projects in their field of expertise. There are already many partnerships and ties between Slovakia and Norway. The EEA grants may be used to reinforce existing co-operation as well as to initiate new co-operation projects. The Norwegian Embassy in Bratislava can provide more information.
In Slovakia the Office of the Government, Section for European Affairs is the National Focal Point for the EEA grants, co-ordinating applications, information and follow-up. Visit their website www.eeagrants.sk to learn more about the EEA grants in Slovakia.
News and general information, rules and procedures, guidelines, application forms, etc., are available on the website of the Financial Mechanism Office: http://www.eeagrants.org
Fact sheet