Launch of new cooperation programmes with Bulgaria and Romania

Through new, bilateral cooperation programmes Norway will make €68 million available to Romania and Bulgaria over the two next years. The programmes will be launched in the beginning of November.

The cooperation programmes will contribute to economic and social development in Romania and Bulgaria and promote innovation and transfer of technology. The new bilateral programmes will be administered by Norway.

Support will be awarded to partnership projects between Norwegian and Bulgarian or Romanian actors from the private or public sector, institutions, ministries, non-governental organsations and social partners. National procurement rules apply.

Priority sectors of the Norwegian cooperation programmes in Romania and Bulgaria will be as follows:

• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including Joint Implementation projects under the Kyoto protocol, and other emissions in air and water
• Energy efficiency and renewable energy
• Facilitating sustainable production, including certification and verification.

Innovation Norway will administer the new cooperation programmes on behalf of Norway. Easily accessible information will be made available on a new web site when the new programmes are launched. The launch of the cooperation programmes with Bulgaria and Romania is planned during the first week of November in Norway and in the following week in Romania and Bulgaria. More information about the launch here.

The EEA Financial Mechanism
Through the existing EEA Financial Mechanism, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein will make an additional €72 million available to Romania and Bulgaria for the same period. The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) in Brussels will administer the mechanism according to the same rules and procedures that apply to the 13 existing beneficiary states of the EEA Financial Mechanism.

Priority sectors in Romania and Bulgaria will be as follows:

• Protection of the environment, including the human environment, through, inter alia, reduction of pollution and promotion of renewable energy
• Human resource development through, inter alia, promotion of education and training, strengthening of administrative or public service capacities of local government or its institutions as well as the democratic processes, which support it
• Health and childcare
• Conservation of European cultural heritage, including public transport, and urban renewal.

A limited number of focus areas will be stipulated for each priority sector. Further information on focus areas will be made available in connection with the launch of the EEA Grants for Romania and Bulgaria which is planned for the first week of November in Norway and mid-November in Romania and Bulgaria. More information on the EEA Grants website: www.eeagrants.org