EEA Grants

EES styrkir

The aim of EEA Grants is to reduce social and economic disparities within the European Economic Area and strengthen bilateral collaboration between the EEA/EFTA states and the fifteen beneficiary states.

Through EEA Grants, the EEA/EFTA states fund various improvements and developments in those EU member states that are economically at a disadvantage. The beneficiary states of the fund are in Southern and Eastern Europe. Through participation in EEA Grants, emphasis is placed on creating opportunities for Icelandic agencies, companies and NGOs to collaborate with the beneficiary states and to increase communications between individuals in Iceland and those states. Iceland is also working systematically towards bilateral relations between the authorities and key partner states. Emphasis is placed on economy in the fund's operations and that projects within the fund's framework are carried out with view of Icelandic values.

On 3 May 2016, an agreement with the EU on the EEA Grants funding period 2014-2021 (implementation period till 2024) was signed. According to the agreement, the total contribution of the EEA/EFTA states for the period shall be 1,584.1 billion EUR, Iceland usually providing about 3-4% of the countries’ overall contribution. The signing of the agreement with the EU marked the beginning of formal negotiations with the beneficiary states about how the grant is used in each country. The negotiations will end with a cooperation agreement or declaration of conformity between the three EEA/EFTA states and each beneficiary state.

The beneficiary states of EEA Grants are:

Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Czech Republic and Hungary.

See further information on EEA Grants at the website of the Financial Mechanism Office where you can also monitor the publication of calls for project proposals.

The EEA Grants Blue Book explains the focus in 2014-2021

The type of projects funded:

The projects funded by the Grants can be divided into five categories:

Innovation, research, education and competitiveness
Social inclusion, youth employment and poverty reduction
Environment, energy, climate change and low carbon economy
Culture, civil society, good governance and fundamental rights and freedoms
Justice and home affairs

Iceland's Participation in the Collaboration Programmes of the EEA Grants Beneficiary States

The EEA/EFTA states negotiate with the beneficiary states on which focus areas receive grants in each state and at the same time which schemes are operated as collaboration schemes in cooperation with the agencies of the EEA/EFTA states. During the current funding period of EEA Grants, ending at year-end 2017, about half of 150 programmes were operated as collaboration programmes. Thereof, three geothermal programmes operated in collaboration with The National Energy Authority and one research programme, and 11 scholarship programmes in collaboration with The Icelandic Centre for Research.

In addition to the above collaboration programmes, Icelandic companies, NGOs and agencies participate in various projects supported by the EEA Grants.

Partner database

Find concept ideas and examples of best practice projects from Icelandic organisations with expertise and interest in bilateral cooperation.

Partner database

Non-governmental Organisations

At a minimum of 10% of the fund’s grants, about 150 million euros, is used to build up NGOs in the beneficiary states. Plans are made for the nomination of the grant in each state. The focus varies from state to state, but the supported projects span a wide range, such as human rights, equality, human trafficking, cultural goods, environmental protection, climate change and welfare issues as well as training and re-education.

Special emphasis is placed on bilateral collaboration with NGOs in the EEA/EFTA states and the fund can create a unique opportunity for NGOs in Iceland to work on common projects within the beneficiary states. In addition to grants for the projects themselves, grants are provided for networking and project development.