The funds for the new support period of EEA and Norv Grants are about to be opened14 May 2013
In the framework of the EEA and Norway Grants about HUF 40 billion support will be made available soon. On the occasion the National Development Agency in cooperation with the Norwegian Embassy in Budapest held a solemn opening conference in the capital. On the event information was provided on the objectives and prospective support from the Grants by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador of Norway to Budapest, and the representatives of the Hungarian Ministry for National Development and the National Development Agency.
The popularity of the first EEA and Norway Grants period of 2004-2009 was proven by the nearly 100% commitment of resources and 90 successful projects across the country. In view of the results above it is certain that the support opportunities available in the newly opening period of EEA and Norway Grants will also be of great interest to potential applicants. With its EUR 150 million, i.e. approx. HUF 40 billion quota, Hungary is the third biggest beneficiary of the 15 recepient EU countries. The Grants, running until 2016, are provided for Hungary by three donor countries, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein in the spirit of solidarity. Approximately 96% of the funds is provided by Norway.
The representatives of donor countries and Hungary signed the international agreements allowing the use of grants on 12 October 2011. The comprehensive objective of the Grants is to decrease economic and social disparities and to strengthen bilateral relations. Out of the 12 supported programmes the most significant resources will be available in the areas of environmental protection, research and development and capacity building of NGOs. In addition, the explicit and overall objective of more projects is to improve the living conditions of the most disadvantaged social groups including the roma population.
After the international agreements had entered into force in November 2011, the establishment of the Hungarian institutional system responsible for implementation and the necessary regulatory background was started. At the same time during 2012 the operators responsible for the different areas developed and submitted the detailed programme proposals for the 12 supported areas. The documents are evaluated by the donors countries and in case of approval the implementation, that is the announcement of the calls for applications can start.
The occasion for the solemn opening conference is that the approval for more programmes has already been granted and the funding opportunities are within reach now. In the event the representatives of donor countries and Hungarian institutions participating in the operation of the Grants provided information about the overall objectives of the funding, the programme areas, the expected results and the completed and future tasks.
In recent months the EEA and Norway Grants have been opened in two areas: ‘Decent work and tripartite dialogue’ and the ‘Norway Grants NGO Fund’. Following the Opening Conference on 25th April in the afternoon the official opening event of Green Industry Innovation Programme was held, in which information was provided on the prospective specific grant schemes and the opportunities for cooperation with Norwegian partner institutions by the Szent István University of Gödöllő, the Programme Operator responsible for the programme and its Norwegian partner, Innovation Norway.
During 2013 several other calls for applications can be opened in the framework of the programme areas of the Grants described herein.
More information on the EEA and Norway Financing Mechanisms:
www.norvegalap.hu
www.eeagrants.org
www.norvegia.hu