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EEA & Norway grants - history matters - March 2025 EN

📣 The EEA & Norway grants 2021-2028 ... are becoming operational ...

3.3 billion euros via 15 Programme Areas & 3 Funds of the EEA & Norway grants 2021-2028 to support 15 Beneficiary States across Northern, Central and Southern Europe. Approx 30% expected to be allocated to private sector companies. 

Latest highlights/ updates: 

- 31 March 2026 - presentation on EEA and Norway Grants in Brussels.

The FMO (Financial Mechanism Office) offered an update presentation on the new EEA and Norway Grants funding period (2021–2028), emphasising its focus on reducing social and economic disparities, strengthening bilateral relations, and the progress in concluding agreements with most beneficiary states, with the exception of of three (Romania, Slovenia, Hungary) as of late March. More info here.

-19 March 2026 - MoU signed – EEA & Norway Grants in Greece

In March 2026, Greece secured €159.3 million under the EEA and Norway Grants to advance green transition, climate resilience, and social inclusion. The agreement highlights the importance of accelerating Greece’s shift to a low-carbon economy while strengthening preparedness for environmental risks and supporting vulnerable communities. Funding will target biodiversity, sustainable urban development, and public health, alongside efforts to reinforce civil society and democratic participation. A key allocation includes green transition (€47 million), social inclusion (€33 million), and public health (€25 million). The partnership also underlines Greece’s role in regional stability and cooperation in addressing Ukraine-related impacts. More info here

-01 December 2025 - MoU signed – EEA & Norway Grants in Lithuania

Concluded in December 2025, Lithuania’s €117.6 million allocation focuses on green transition, innovation, justice, and social inclusion. The programmes are designed to boost economic competitiveness and institutional resilience, with particular attention to energy independence and digital transformation. Investments will support business innovation, energy efficiency, and public sector modernisation, while reinforcing democratic values and civic engagement. Funding is distributed across areas such as green transition (€38 million), business innovation (€28 million), justice and home affairs (€20 million), and social inclusion (€15 million). The agreement also reflects Lithuania’s strategic position in responding to regional security challenges linked to Ukraine. More info here

-18 November 2025 - MoU signed – EEA & Norway Grants in Bulgaria

In November 2025, Bulgaria secured €311.8 million in funding aimed at driving green transition, innovation, and regional development. The cooperation framework emphasises reducing economic disparities, improving energy efficiency, and fostering a more competitive and inclusive economy. Programmes will support business development, environmental protection, and justice sector reforms, alongside strengthening civil society and governance. Funding includes green transition (€95 million), business innovation (€60 million), local development (€70 million), and justice (€50 million). The agreement also recognises Bulgaria’s role in addressing broader regional challenges, including the socio-economic effects of the war in Ukraine. More info here.

-06 November 2025 - MoU signed – EEA & Norway Grants in Cyprus

Finalised in November 2025, Cyprus will benefit from €17.6 million to support green transition, public health, culture, and local development. The programmes place particular emphasis on addressing water scarcity, enhancing community resilience, and promoting social inclusion. Investments will focus on integrated local development initiatives and strengthening civil society, while also contributing to broader regional stability and cooperation. Funding is centred on a multi-sectoral local development programme (€12.1 million), with additional allocations for bilateral relations (€350,000). The agreement highlights Cyprus’s commitment to sustainable resource management and inclusive growth within a changing geopolitical context. More info here.

-04 November 2025 - MoU signed – EEA & Norway Grants in Czechia

In November 2025, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway signed MoUs totaling €225.2 million for multiple EEA and Norway Grant programmes in Czechia (2021–2028). Joint priorities include green transition, research and innovation, public health, education, and social inclusion. Funds support culture (€45 million), research and innovation (€43 million), green transition (€30 million), public health (€25 million), education (€20 million), and Roma inclusion (€15 million), alongside additional funding for civil society and bilateral relations. Democracy, rule of law, gender equality, digitalisation, and Ukraine-related resilience are mainstreamed across all programmes. More info here.

-09 October 2025 - MoU signed – EEA & Norway Grants in Latvia

Through the EEA and Norway Grants, Latvia will receive approximately €109.5 million for programmes supporting resilience, green innovation, and institutional development. Signed in October 2025, the agreement prioritises security, sustainability, and social inclusion, while strengthening civil society and addressing challenges linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Funding is allocated across local development and resilience (€43 million), green business and innovation (€27.5 million), and correctional services (€15 million), alongside dedicated support for civil society and bilateral cooperation. Implementation begins in 2026, reinforcing cooperation between Latvia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through inclusive, long-term development. More info here.  

-23 July 2025 - MoU signed - EEA & Norway grants in Croatia.

Under the EEA and Norway Grants, Croatia will receive over €133.1 million for several programmes focused on green transition, local development, business innovation, and justice. The agreement, signed in September 2025, prioritises sustainability, economic growth, and institutional strengthening, while also supporting civil society and addressing challenges linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Funding is allocated across green transition (€30.3 million), local development (€33 million), green and blue business innovation (€22 million), and justice (€21.55 million), among other areas. Implementation begins in 2026, reinforcing cooperation between Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through inclusive, sustainable, and long-term development. More info here.

-08 July 2025 - MoU signed - EEA & Norway grants in Portugal.

On 8 July 2025, Portugal and the EEA and Norway Grants donor states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) signed a new cooperation agreement allocating approximately €126 million for the 2021–2028 period. Programmes will support key priorities, including environment, culture, civil society, and the prevention of domestic and gender-based violence. Funding is divided by Blue Growth (€49 million), Green Transition (€29.5 million), Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (€12 million), Culture (€9 million),  bilateral relations (€3 million), and addressing the invasion of Ukraine (€ 6.3 million). Implementation begins in 2026, strengthening cooperation between Portugal, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through inclusive, sustainable, and long-term development. More info here

-05 June 2025 - MoU signed - EEA & Norway grants in Slovakia. 

On 5 June 2025, Slovakia and the EEA and Norway Grants donor states signed agreements for €130.7 million across three programmes. Key priorities include culture, green transition, domestic and gender-based violence, and Roma inclusion and empowerment.  Funds will also address challenges linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The programmes - green transition (€26.7  million), social €23.4  million), and culture-driven local development (€52.5.4  million) - promote sustainability, human rights, and resilience. Implementation begins in 2026, reinforcing cooperation between Slovakia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through inclusive, long-term development. More info here

-26 May 2025 - MoU signed - EEA & Norway grants in Estonia

Through the EEA and Norway Grants, Estonia will receive €72 million for six programmes prioritizing green transition (€20  million), crisis preparedness (€16.3  million), public health (€14.3  million), innovation, and civil society. Signed in May 2025, the agreement also includes support for Ukraine-related challenges and enhanced cooperation with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Programmes will fund biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, domestic violence prevention, and disaster resilience. Green ICT (€15.5 million) and inclusive health systems are key focuses. Implementation begins in 2026, strengthening Estonia’s social and economic development and regional partnerships. More info here

-23 April 2025 - MoU signed - EEA & Norway grants in Poland.

In April 2025, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway signed MoUs totaling €924.9 million for eight EEA and Norway Grant programmes in Poland (2021–2028), making it the largest beneficiary. Joint priorities include green transition, research, justice, culture, and civil society. Funds support  basic research (with €60  million), applied research and innovation (€80  million), green business (€55 M), green transition (160 million)culture (€90 M), home affairs (€70 M), justice (€60 M), local development (€168 M), and bilateral relations (€16.6 M). Gender equality, digitalisation, and Ukraine‑related resilience are mainstreamed across all programmes. More info here

- 28 February 2025 -   

The EEA and Norway Grants for the 2021-2028 funding period allocate €3.3 billion to support Europe's green transition, democracy, and social resilience across 15 programme areas. This funding is structured around three overarching priorities:

  1. European Green Transition: Focusing on environmental protection, renewable energy, and climate change mitigation.

  2. Democracy, Rule of Law, and Human Rights: Aiming to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law, and protect human rights.

  3. Social Inclusion and Resilience: Enhancing social cohesion and resilience, particularly among vulnerable groups.

Additionally, three dedicated funds have been established to address specific challenges:

  • Civil Society Fund (€327 million): Supports civil society organisations and democratic participation across the Beneficiary States. A portion of the fund is allocated to transnational initiatives, and it is managed by independent Fund Operators.

  • Fund for Capacity Building and Cooperation (€65 million): Facilitates knowledge exchange, programme development, and strategic cooperation between Donor and Beneficiary States. Managed by the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO). 

  • Fund for Social Dialogue and Decent Work (€15 million): Supports social dialogue and fair working conditions in Beneficiary States receiving Norway Grants. It is managed by an independent Fund Operator contracted by the FMO. 

Blue Book 2021 - 2028

.15 Programme areas & 3 Funds of the EEA & Norway grants 2021-2028 to support 15 Beneficiary States across Northern, Central and Southern Europe.

Source: eeagrants.org

Timeline -  key updates EEA & Norway grants 2021-2028:

- March 2026 - EEA grants 2021-2028 update presentation in Brussels ... general status. Almost all MoU signed, with 3 remaining to be signed very soon. First calls launched ... Read more details (click here) 

- 13 September 2024 - the public Consultation (Blue Book) has been launched to collect ideas from all stakeholders in the ecosystem. Read more details below.

- 12 September 2024 - The Donor States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), and the European Union have signed an agreement on the new funding period for the EEA and Norway Grants. 

Back in Spring 2024, the Commission and EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) reached an agreement at negotiators' level on the EEA Financial Mechanism 2021-2028. Thus, the Commission and the EEA EFTA states agreed that Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein would contribute with a total of 3.268 billion euro to reduce social and economic disparities and increase cooperation in Europe for the period 2021-2028. 

The three priority areas that have been designated are: 

  • European green transition 
  • Democracy, rule of law and human rights 
  • Social inclusion and resilience 

To support these priorities, 15 programme areas and three dedicated funds have been established.  

These programme areas and funds aim to address common European challenges, foster innovation, and support impactful projects. Notably, this funding period includes a €183 million contribution for projects addressing challenges arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Furthermore, the EEA and Norway Grants provide a unique opportunity for partnerships between entities from the Beneficiary States and their counterparts in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway addressing common European challenges. They enhance international experience and networks, support access to new knowledge, expertise, and facilities, foster innovation, and create forums for developing cooperation to be supported with other funding sources. 

 

 

On 13 September 2024 the EEA & Norway grants have launched the Public Consultation on the new funding period 2021-2028 (Blue Book).

Screenshot 2024-09-13 at 16.03.17

Source: eeagrants.org

The draft ‘Blue Book’ outlines the objectives and approaches for each programme area and fund, specifying the areas eligible for support. The beneficiaries of the grants, the funding managers and other stakeholders could have valuable input to the ‘Blue Book’. This consultation therefore offers an opportunity for stakeholders to take account of the current draft of the ‘Blue Book’ and provide input on elements prior to its final publication. 

A participant can be any private person or organisation that have experience with or interest in the EEA and Norway Grants and their objectives. Participants can be situated in beneficiary, donor or third countries, or they can work transnationally across borders.  The consultation process is straightforward and open to all interested parties until October 18, 2024. More info here. 

Innovation Norway will continue the work on the existing programmes and all the bilateral activities planned for 2024. Seeing the results from this period, it is estimated that financing will be available for businesses contributions to the green transition in the future as well.

 

 

Map of Beneficiary States

eeanorway map 2021-2028

Source: eeagrants.org

Currently available funding

 

Further Resources:

Memorandum here

Press Release here

Blue Book here

EEA & Norway Grants: https://eeagrants.org. 

 

🍏 How can Winnovart help You

if you would like to discuss a new project idea with us, don’t hesitate to fill in our EEA & Norway grants 2021-2028 funding readiness questionnaire and we will come back with our independent feedback.

Winnovart’s independent service options are designed to help you accelerate your access to this funding and navigate with confidence through the entire process of applying for, obtaining the grant and implementing your project successfully.


At Winnovart, it is part of our mission to bridge the gap between stakeholders of the grants-funding market-space across Europe. We believe in the potential of grants to create ecosystems that drive innovation, growth and reduce disparities between the regions of Europe.  Our aim is to support innovative SMEs, private investors and funding agencies to become part of this ecosystem and make the most of it.

We have a special history with the EEA & Norway grants. As a leading independent consultancy we have raised over EUR 100m in grants-funding under this mechanism for companies from various industries across Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. Many projects have involved bilateral partners from the Donor States (Norway and Iceland). We have a very good presence in the Donor States, with the capacity to support in the development of bilateral partnerships, one of the key ambitions of the EEA & Norway grants.

Our presence in Western, Eastern and Northern Europe enables us to create international business cases for our clients, in the context of attractive funding programmes as well as beyond it, by opening up international development opportunities.

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