Management and control of the EEA and Norway Grants

The control and management system of the EEA and Norway Grants are in line with the Norwegian Foreign Ministry’s (NMFA) zero tolerance towards corruption. The responsibility and obligations are distributed among the various levels and entities participating in the implementation of our programmes.

Risk monitoring and control is also an integral part of the work, as good risk management is essential for effective achievement of expected results.

In this article you can get familiarised with our checks and control mechanisms to avoid fraud and mismanagement of our funding. On the bottom you will also find relevant links.

In Norway

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA) has the ultimate responsibility for the management of the EEA and Norway Grants. The responsibilities related to the management and control of the Grants include:

• Develop and adopt regulations and governance structure
• Take corrective measures (including reimbursement of funds) to beneficiary countries for violations of the regulations
• Conduct risk assessments and follow up these
• Adopt and approve evaluations of programmes and sectors
• Conduct annual meetings with all beneficiary countries
• On-site inspections of projects (also Norwegian embassies)
• Receive complaints and tips of misuse of funds

The Secretariat of the Grants
The NMFA has delegated technical implementation and daily management of the Grants to a secretariat - the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO). FMO’s responsibilities related to management and control, includes:

• Monitoring that the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants are in line with the regulations and agreements
• Review reports from beneficiary countries
• Conduct audits and inspections (both announced and unannounced)
• Manage external evaluations
• Receive and follow up complaints and alerts on suspicions of fraud
• Update and publish irregularities reports quarterly

In the Beneficiary countries

The beneficiary countries and their national authorities, have the primary responsibility for control and monitoring. The management model is described in the regulations.

National Focal Point

• Overall responsibility for the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants
• Responsible for reimbursing the NMFA in cases of corruption, fraud or other irregularities in the beneficiary country
• Responsible to establish reporting and monitoring procedures for irregularities and for the recovery of amounts unduly paid
• Responsible for reporting grave irregularities to the police
• Establish an alert system for suspected corruption

Certifying Authority
Sending financial reports and budgets to the FMO

Audit Authority
Develop plans and conduct audits of programmes and projects. Responsible for identifying and assessing risks to the programme results. Submit to the FMO annual audit reports and opinions.

Entity responsible for reporting irregularities
Preparation and submission of reports on suspected and actual cases of
irregularities to the FMO.

Programme Operators

• Take all necessary and appropriate measures to prevent, detect and rectify irregularities

Project Promoters

• Respect applicable legislation in the implementation of the projects
• Inform the national authorities of any suspected or actual cases of irregularities

Other actors and initiatives

The Auditor General in Norway can carry out independent audits of all programmes and projects financed through the Grants

In the funding period 2014-2021 good governance has been made a mandatory programme in all beneficiary countries, and facilitated a cooperation with international organisations with extensive experience in improving public administration (OECD, Council of Europe, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights and others).

Useful links Regulations Risk management Strategy Evaluations and reports Irregularities Report (updated quarterly) Whistleblowing in the Foreign Service