National
Development Agency

The grant scheme called the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms was set up to facilitate social and economic cohesion in the European Economic Area that was also expanded as an outcome of the 2004 enlargement of the EU. In view of the fact that the three donor countries Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are not members of the EU, yet they enjoy the full benefits of the internal market as members of the EAA, these countries provide funding to the newly acceded member states, and therefore Hungary as well. Although this is really two grant schemes, they can nevertheless be considered a single financial scheme, since they apply the same set of rules and procedures. 

In accordance with the above, a total of 135 million EUR was made available to Hungary, which framework the country managed to fully commit up to the set deadline.

Several hundreds of applications were submitted within the framework of the three rounds of calls for proposals announced in Hungary and 101 projects were eventually approved funding. The way in which the programme was accessible for a wide scope of applicants and ensured the opportunity to submit applications in a wide range of themes considerably contributed to the popularity of the programme. From among the developments under implementation, most projects are aimed at human resource development, environmental protection and the preservation of cultural heritage; however, keen interest was also shown in healthcare and scientific research. 

Thanks to this funding, it has become possible to, for example, upgrade heating systems and insulation in several public institutions around the country, or build heating systems using renewable energy, which helps substantially reduce environmental pollution. 
Developments are also taking place in several Hungarian museums, such as, the reconstruction of the museum wings of Siklós Castle, a top tourist destination, or the reconstruction of the Janus Pannonius Archaeological Museum in Pécs and extending the scope of the museum to include cultural, museum and educational programmes open to the public. The latter ties in with the Pécs 2010 European Capital of Culture programme.

Thanks to this funding, the well-known and popular lecture series broadcasted on television called ENCOMPASS can continue.
In addition, a multifunctional centre supporting Roma children and young people with musical talent will be set up, hence strengthening minority musical culture.    
It will also be possible to begin setting up the standardised "blood bank database" operated nationwide by the National Blood Supply Service, which is also an exemplary project at a European level.   

The vast majority of projects are currently under implementation and are expected to be completed in 2011. However, a few investments have already been completed, such as, among others, the restoration of the Hiemer-Font-Caraffa block in Székesfehérvár, as an outcome of which the Heimer House has been restored to its former glory and grandeur.

Consequently, having committed the entire framework made available, the EAA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms Programme running over of the 2004-2009 period has been closed in Hungary, which means that further calls for proposals are not expected to be announced in the present period.  
Negotiations on the continuation of the Financial Mechanisms Programme in the future have nonetheless commenced; therefore, in line with the outcome of these negotiation, we hope that further rounds of calls for proposals will be announced in Hungary after 2010.