State Secretary Varteressian’s remarks at EEA conference in Lisbon

Dear colleagues, friends, and partners,

Good morning, or as we say here, bom dia.

I am delighted to be back in Lisbon for the second time this year, and to be present at this particular event – celebrating the 30th anniversary of the EEA Grants, as well as our EEA Grant cooperation with Portugal.

As we gather here today to celebrate an important milestone, it is also timely to reflect on the deeper currents shaping our world. The tectonic shifts in the global order—whether geopolitical instability, war on our doorstep, or the existential threats of climate change—demand that we reaffirm our commitment to unity, resilience, and the shared ideals, values and principles that bind Europe together. 

In the face of Russia’s brutal and illegal war in Ukraine, our understanding of European security has been upended, reminding us that peace, democracy, and freedom cannot be taken for granted. Our core values are at stake. They must be fought for, defended, and above all, nurtured through cooperation.

Norway remains a committed champion of these values, and a stable partner for the EU and all its member states in ensuring a strong, resilient, prosperous and democratic Europe. In challenging times, you can count on Norway, as a partner in security through NATO, standing firmly with Ukraine in its hour of need, in green transition, and a reliable supplier of energy, working hand in hand with our partners to pioneer green technologies—whether through offshore wind or carbon capture. 

The EEA Grants are not merely a financial mechanism—they are an important tool for the protection and promotion of our shared values. The Grants represent one of Norway’s key contributions to the collective effort to build a Europe that is inclusive, sustainable, and resilient. And, more than ever, they stand as a testament to Norway’s unwavering dedication to the European project.

For thirty years, through these grants, we have worked together to reduce social and economic disparities across 15 countries, including Portugal, a steadfast partner from the very beginning. Throughout the 30 years that these joint projects have been taking place, we have seen excellent and encouraging results. Together, we have invested in projects across a wide range of areas, that are all contributing to achieving our greater ambitions.

Examples include:

• Investments in an urban rehabilitation project that caused tangible improvements to education levels, school attendance and job opportunities for young people in local communities on the Azores.
• Support for a programme providing leadership training for women in management roles across Portugal, helping increase women’s participation in the Portuguese workforce.
• Cooperation in blue growth programmes that have benefitted both the Norwegian and Portuguese maritime sectors through the creation of maritime clusters and joint development of new technologies for environmental monitoring and maritime surveillance.
• Run citizenship education programmes for young students, teaching them the skills necessary in a democratic society, such as critical thinking and the importance of political participation.
• Support for a project providing on-the-job training for migrants at a restaurant right here in Lisbon (which I look forward to visiting later today).

While these projects are of varying sizes, sometimes only including a handful of people, the united result of the range of projects, is a tangible and very real contribution to building a common platform for tackling shared European challenges and reducing social inequalities.

The bilateral relations between Portugal and Norway are excellent. We share a lot in common. And I am proud to say that through cooperation on EEA-grants projects, our countries have come even closer together. Together, we have made tangible strides toward our common goals: social inclusion, sustainability, democratic freedoms. These are not abstract ideals, but the very foundation of a thriving Europe. The EEA Grants have transformed lives and communities, and today, we celebrate those accomplishments. 

It is rewarding and impressive to see the positive results and impacts of the grants here in Portugal. The success of the grants in Portugal could not be achieved without help of committed individuals on the ground, nor without the effective management by the National Focal Point and our Programme Operators. Thank you for your dedication and efforts to effectively manage these grants. Thank you also to the Gulbenkian and the Bissaya Barreto Foundation which manage the civil society fund.

The continuation of this effective cooperation will be crucial in preparing and implementing the next Financial Mechanism. The success of the funded projects highly depends on national and local political ownership and commitment to long-term sustainability which the Portuguese partners have successfully demonstrated.

Norway’s support through the EEA Grants is one of our key investments in Europe’s future. It is a tangible expression of our belief in cohesion, social justice and the power of civil society. We are proud to be the biggest funder of civil society in Portugal, as we believe that a strong civil society is the cornerstone of resilience and democracy.

Thank you.