Portugal receives 126 million euros in EEA Grants

Portugal will receive 126 million euros by 2028 under the European Economic Area Funding Mechanism, the EEA Grants, for blue economy, environmental, cultural, fighting domestic violence, and civil society programmes in a cooperation scheme with Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. 

For the ceremony to sign the memorandum of understanding held at Campus XXI, Portugal was represented by the Secretary of State for Planning and Regional Development, Hélder Reis, the Deputy Minister for Justice, the Deputy Minister for Youth and for Equality Carla Rodrigues, and the Secretary of State for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.

The funding countries were represented by the Norwegian Ambassador to Portugal, stationed in Lisbon Hanne Brusletto, and the Icelandic Ambassador to France, stationed in Paris, Unnur Ramette. The National Management Unit, headed by Maria Mineiro and the representatives of the Financial Mechanism, as well as programme operators and players were also in attendance at the ceremony.

"Today, we are celebrating a new cooperation cycle between Portugal, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. It is the day to reiterate the excellent bilateral relations between countries that share common values. For Portugal, the EEA Grants represent investment in innovation, sustainable development, and a more just and inclusive society. With a total allocation of €126M for a period up to 2028, this mechanism will contribute towards financing projects in four priority areas: blue growth, the environment, culture, and fighting domestic and gender violence, including projects associated with justice in the latter", stressed the Secretary of State for Planning and Regional Development, Hélder Reis.

Through this European Economic Area Financial Mechanism, 10% of the total sum will be allocated to a fund to support civil society. A sum to support bilateral initiatives that will strengthen the economic, social, and cultural ties between the countries involved. Of the total amount, 6,282,070 will be for projects concerning challenges to Portugal resulting from Ukraine’s invasion. 

The signature of the new memorandum sets the beginning of another cycle of solid cooperation with Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, focused on fundamental areas to boost innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability in Portugal, states Maria Mineiro, the head of the EEA Grants National Management Unit. "With a significant increase in the financial allocation to strategic areas for Portugal, it will be possible to intensify the programmes’ impact, strengthen civil society, foster innovation, and respond to emerging challenges. It is a responsibility we take on with determination, focus on results, and public commitment".

Portugal, which has been a recipient of the EEA Grants for more than 30 years, is the fourth country to sign this agreement following on from Poland, Estonia, and Slovakia. In total, there will be 15 countries, with Lithuania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Romania, and Slovenia.  Under the last mechanism, Portugal’s financial allocation was 102.7 million euros, supporting 530 projects. 

The EEA Grants began in 1994 after Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein becoming EU Member-States partners in the internal market in 1992 through the European Economic Area Agreement. 

As a way to boost economic and trade relations, the parties to the Agreement set up a Financial Mechanism through which those three countries began offering financial support to a few Member States, among which is Portugal.