Fund for Polish NGOs to be established under the EEA Financial Mechanisms

Norwegian-Polish NGO seminar inWarsawon 7 April

Norway and Poland have agreed on the establishment of a fund of about NOK 300 million (approximately EUR 37 million) for Polish NGOs under the EEA Financial Mechanisms. The fund, which will be the largest of its kind in Poland, will be the theme of a seminar for around 80 representatives of Norwegian and Polish NGOs in Warsaw on 7 April.

The seminar will provide a meeting place where opportunities for co-operation and possible target areas for the fund can be discussed. The roles of NGOs as regards environmental protection and civil society development are particularly important topics (for more details, see the seminar programme). The Norwegian and Polish authorities are organising the seminar in collaboration with NGOs from both countries.

In the period leading up to 2009, Poland will receive about NOK 4.5 billion from Norway under the two financial mechanisms that were established in connection with the enlargement of the EEA. Polish NGOs are one of the main groups that are eligible for support under these mechanisms.

Media representatives who wish to attend the seminar can contact Minister Counsellor Jon-Åge Øyslebø at the Norwegian Embassy in Warsaw by e-mail at joy@mfa.no or by telephone (+48) 22 696 4038 or mobile phone (+48) 660 491296.

Further information about the EEA Financial Mechanisms is available on www.eeagrants.org.

• Programme for the seminar