Today the Czech Republic is issuing an open call for proposals for the allocation of EUR 10.7 million that is being made available through the EEA financial mechanisms. This is the first call for proposals for funding through the mechanisms, which were established by Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein in connection with the expansion of the EU and the EEA one year ago.

Half of this amount will be made available at nation-wide level for projects relating to the cultural heritage, the environment, health and childcare. The other half will be made available for projects to be administered by 9 of the country’s 14 regions. Qualified actors are to be found in the public, private and civil sectors of the Czech Republic. Norwegian actors will also be involved through their partners in the Czech Republic.

- We welcome this open call for proposals in the Czech Republic, says Foreign Minister Jan Petersen. “This will help to bring good project proposals to the fore, and will also create opportunities for Norwegian actors that co-operate with Czech partners.

The Czech Republic can receive up to EUR 110.9 million from this year and until 2009 through the two mechanisms, and is the third largest recipient. Poland, the main recipient country, will receive EUR 558 million, and will issue an open call for the allocation of these funds before the summer holiday.

The EEA financial mechanisms were established to reduce social and economic disparities in the expanded EEA. The funds are also intended to strengthen the co-operation between donor and recipient countries.

For more information see: www.eeagrants.org or contact the EEA financial mechanisms unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.