04 Jun 1st Annual Meeting EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021
ZAGREB, June 4, 2019 – The 1st Annual Meeting within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 in Croatia took place at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds on June 4, 2019. The representatives of the National Focal Point and the Donor States reviewed progress achieved within the financial mechanism implementation, discussed the future work programme and addressed a wide variety of topics including preparations of individual programmes, setup of the risk management plan, the bilateral cooperation activities and the communication activities.
The Annual Meeting was attended by the representatives from the Donor States including Mrs Pia Gjesme Holm from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, H.E. Astrid Versto, Ambassador of Norway in the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Thórir Ibsen, Ambassador of Iceland in the Republic Croatia and the representatives of the Financial Mechanism Office. The meeting was opened by the State Secretary of Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, Mr Velimir Žunac and attended by the representatives of the National Focal Point and the Audit Authority.
The EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanism are aimed at reducing social and economic inequality in the EU and strengthening the bilateral relations of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway with beneficiary countries.
In the new funding period 2014 – 2021 Croatia will receive EUR 103.4 million, 46.6 million from Norwegian financial mechanism and 56.8 million from the EEA financial mechanism for funding of the following programme areas: local development and poverty reduction; innovation, research, education and competitiveness; energy and climate change; justice and home affairs; civil society and social dialogue.
The grants will also support activities aimed at promoting partnership and bilateral cooperation between organizations in Croatia and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
First calls for proposals are expected to be launched in autumn 2019.