Approximately HUF 40 billion in support will soon be available within the framework of the EEA and Norway Grants. In order to mark the event the National Development Agency and the Royal Norwegian Embassy organised an official opening conference in Budapest. Information on the objectives of the Funds and expected support will be given by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway’s ambassador to Budapest as well as representatives of the Ministry for National Development and the National Development Agency.
The popularity of the first funding period of 2004-2009 of the EEA and Norway Grants is clearly reflected in a close to 100 per cent commitment of the funds and 90 successful projects across the country. In light of the above figures, it is safe to assume that the opportunities to open up during the current funding period of the EEA and Norway Grants will attract prospective applicants’ interest. With its over EUR 150 million, i.e. approximately HUF 40 billion share, Hungary is the third top beneficiary state among the 15 EU member states eligible for support. The funds available for use until 2016 are awarded to Hungary by three donor countries, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein in the spirit of solidarity. Approximately 97% of the funds are provided by Norway.
Representatives of the donor countries and Hungary signed the international agreements required for the use of the funds on 12 October 2011. An overall aim of the Grants is to reduce economic and social disparities and strengthen bilateral relations. Of the 12 programmes receiving support, environment protection, R&D and the capacity-building of NGO’s will be awarded the most sizeable fund. The express overall aim of several programmes is to improve the living conditions of the most disadvantaged social groups and, within that, the Romas.
Subsequent to the entry into force in November 2011 of the international agreements, work to establish a network of institutions in charge of implementation and the necessary related legal background commenced. Concurrently, the programme operators responsible for the individual areas of support worked out and submitted to the donor countries detailed programme proposals for the 12 areas of support. Donor countries assess the documents and, if they are approved, implementation, i.e. calls for proposals, will ensue.
The occasion for the official opening conference is that approval has been granted to several programmes and tendering opportunities are now within reach. At the opening conference representatives of the institutions participating in the implementation of the Grants from both the donor countries and Hungary presented the overall aims of the support, the programme areas, the anticipated output as well as the milestones already reached and yet to be reached.
Over the past few months support opportunities from the EEA and Norway Grants have already opened up in two areas: Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue and the Norwegian NGO Funds. Subsequent to the opening conference, the Green Industrial Innovation programme was opened officially in the afternoon on 25 April. At the opening ceremony information on the tendering facilities (arrangements) anticipated for this programme and on cooperation opportunities was provided by Szent István University, Gödöllő, the national programme operator and Innovation Norway, its Norwegian counterpart.
Further calls for proposals are scheduled for 2013 in the programme areas of the Grants listed below.
For further information on the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms, visit
www.norvegalap.hu
www.eeagrants.org
www.norvegia.hu
(Ministry of National Development)