National
Development Agency

Mobile chest X-ray units in numerous settlements of the country and new bells for Matthias Church? These are just some of the dreams of developers that came true in recent years in the amount of several billions of HUF due to an extraordinary cooperation. Hungary has recently received subsidies in the amount of EUR 135 million from the tenders of the EEA/Norwegian Financial Mechanism Programme to properly preserve its historic and cultural treasures, support and develop healthcare, education establishments or the activity of priority public foundations.

The newly renovated building of the Budapest University Catholic Secondary School was opened yesterday. The renovation was completed with a fund of more than HUF 240 million of the EEA/Norwegian Financial Mechanism Programme. This has increased the number of investments that won more than EUR 17 million (HUF 4.3 billion) from the financial mechanism to 18. Another 8 projects will be closed in the very near future while more than 60 project managers are working hard today to complete on-going developments by 30th April when a real success story comes to an end.

"It is an honour that leaving behind paperwork we can celebrate today the completion of a successful project that is the result of years of hard work." said Balázs Simó, Head of Managing Authority for International Cooperation Programmes (NEP IH) at the secondary school's opening ceremony yesterday.

Exterior of the building of Budapest University Catholic Secondary School was in a sad state in the past years and its interiors did not comply with the standards of the 21st century. The Mechanism funded the complete renovation of the secondary school with more than HUF 240 million. In order to lower maintenance cost and emission of the building, heating and electricity systems and waterworks were modernised and worn-out doors and windows were also replaced. Besides the local self-government, the secondary school was also supported by its Norwegian partner school with experience and regular educational and training consultations during the implementation of the project.

Besides this project, numerous other investments were concluded successfully using EEA/Norwegian Financial Mechanism funds.

Ibsen Palace, a building of great historical significance was renovated and transformed to a centre for arts, culture and education. As the project was closed the overall objective of preserving one of the significant historic sites of cultural heritage in Békés county was also achieved.

Due to the funds a meditation and artistic centre was opened in Sopronbánfalva. The former Carmelite Cloister now used for creative and recreations purposes will be an ideal location for creation and spiritual recharging. By preserving European and national cultural heritage the project supports the development of culture and tourism.

A bus for health screening will travel the country in order to help disadvantaged citizens diagnose the symptoms of certain contagious illnesses earlier and learn about effective treatment. Another goal is to offer information about cancer diagnostics, cancer being among the most common causes of natural death in Hungary. The screening bus service equipped with modern medical appliance and used also for mobile campaign purposes was especially started by Hungarian Maltese Charity Service to protect the health of the homeless and other disadvantaged people.

The Hiemer-Font-Caraffa complex was opened for locals and tourists in Székesfehérvár. The wedding hall now offers a quality venue for saying I do, but locals and guests can also find an event and exhibition hall and a youth club in the historic complex situated in the heart of the city.

The Public Foundation for Equal Opportunities of Persons with Disabilities submitted a project proposal to provide equal opportunities. Improving access of persons with disabilities to social and childcare institutions is not only advantageous for the immediate target group, but also for their family members and the whole society.

Cultural life in Pest county can be more lively as Vác was also funded with a considerable amount by the Financial Mechanism. Well-known Göncöl Ház was restored to its former glory and the latest energy efficiency technology will help reduce maintenance costs. While both the exterior and the interior of the building was renovated, usability was also improved as modern training rooms are now equipped with the latest technology. 

Numerous developers are working hard at the moment. Historic bells of Matthias Church will soon toll again and following the Norwegian example a model waste management training programme can start in Tokaji Ferenc Secondary School. As the noise protection investment closes to an end in the area people living by the main road Nr 3 can live in a quieter, more peaceful environment. Fortunately the list goes on and on, and we have not even mentioned those 60 projects that are still in the execution phase.

The investments not only enrich Hungary with new and renovated buildings, but they can also give a boost to tourism in certain regions, enhance the level of educations, and offer training support and healthcare services to those who have not received any help so far due to their disadvantaged position. In certain cities access to employment can improve, in others the population can live a more peaceful life with the decrease of the unbearable noise pollution.

Support schemes EEA/Norwegian Financial Mechanism were initiated by Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein in 2004 to help establishing social and economic cohesion in the enlarged European Economic Area. Respective cooperation agreements were signed in 2005. These agreements define the legal and financial framework for the Financial Mechanism, grant forms and priority and target areas, the specific institutions assigned to tasks, the questions of reporting and monitoring, and the regulating principles.

Today the number of investments concluded increased to 18. With this the total spending increased to EUR 22 million (HUF 5.7 billion), and funding from the EEA/Norwegian fund as it is popularly known is EUR 17 million (HUF 4.3 billion) for these projects. Another eight projects are due to be closed in a few weeks, and as a result 26 investments, improvements will be concluded shortly, supported by the EEA/Norwegian Financial Mechanism with a total of EUR 27 million (HUF 6.89 billion) used for funding. Besides these, more than 60 projects are in the execution phase, which will be closed by April 30 2011.