Overview

1. Latest Highlights/Updates
2. Blue Book 2021-2028
3. Timeline
4. Map of Beneficiary States
5. Currently Available Funding
6. Country Pages
7. Further Resources
   

📣 The EEA & Norway grants are coming back ...

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: 

- 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

.Read more - OPEN here the full Blue Book 

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

- 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).

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.

Source: 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.