Country overview

Bulgaria

The EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 in Bulgaria advanced social inclusion, enhanced local development, helped reduce poverty, strengthened access to justice and supported the green transition through environmental and renewable energy projects.

A major achievement were the projects to support vulnerable groups, particularly the empowerment and inclusion of Roma. Legal aid clinics were established in several Bulgarian cities, comprehensive social care services for unaccompanied refugees and migrant children were developed, and early childhood care and education for children from vulnerable groups were introduced. The Grants also improved access to medical services and telecare for chronically ill and older people in remote areas. In addition, a few arts and cultural projects for and with people from vulnerable groups were supported, with a particular focus on including Roma.

Other priorities included improving the living conditions in prisons and detention facilities. The first new pilot prison in Bulgaria in over 60 years was built in the village of Samoranovo for 400 prisoners. The prison complex includes a social centre enabling participation of public institutions and civil society in initiatives aimed at improving reintegration and social inclusion.

Cyprus

The EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 in Cyprus advanced communities, supported vulnerable groups, and enhanced environmental and health resilience. With a total allocation of €11.5 million, the EEA and Norway Grants addressed long-standing challenges while laying the foundations for more inclusive local development.

The Grants had a strong focus on the bi-communal dimension. Several activities were delivered in both Greek and Turkish languages, and bi-communal participation was actively encouraged to contribute to the reunification of Cyprus, in line with UN Security Council resolutions. The Grants also had a strong focus on supporting civil society. A total of 479,650 people were mobilised through civil society activities, and services were improved for over 22,000 beneficiaries. The supported projects trained over 600 professionals and strengthened partnerships between civil society and the public sector.

Bilateral cooperation with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway was enhanced through sustained knowledge exchange, capacity building and expert collaboration. These partnerships strengthened Cyprus' capabilities in areas such as climate research, gender equality, entrepreneurship and advanced healthcare, and laid the groundwork for enduring institutional cooperation.

Estonia

The EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 made important contributions in supporting Estonia's long-term development priorities, particularly in strengthening public services, boosting community well-being, and enhancing environmental and climate resilience. In total, Estonia implemented six programmes, channelled into areas ranging from competitiveness and cyber security to social welfare, cultural heritage and climate action.

One of the widest-reaching efforts was the local development and poverty reduction programme that enabled municipalities to expand social and educational support services, introduce restorative justice approaches for children and youth at risk, and promote healthier lifestyles among young people. It also contributed to preserving the character of Estonia's historic town centres.

Beyond social measures, the Grants invested in competitiveness, research, health and the environment. Funding supported climate- and environment-related activities, strengthened health and social care services, and contributed to national efforts to build resilience in areas such as cyber security and public administration.

Bilateral partnerships spanned several areas such as health, education, culture and social policy, supporting avenues for continued professional exchange.

Hungary

No programmes were implemented under the EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 in Hungary, as the Donor States and Hungary did not reach an agreement on the appointment of a Fund Operator to manage the funding for civil society. The Memorandum of Understanding contained a clause stating that no programme could be approved until an independent Fund Operator for civil society funding was appointed. Since it was not possible to reach an agreement between the Donor States and the Hungarian government on a Fund Operator by the agreed deadline, no programmes were implemented through the EEA and Norway Grants during the funding period.

Lithuania

The EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 in Lithuania contributed to improved mental health and reduction of health inequalities, strengthened research cooperation between the Baltic States, supported cultural entrepreneurship and cooperation, and improved the effectiveness and efficiency of the Lithuanian judiciary and prosecution service.

Major achievements during the funding period were the creation of a more favourable environment for re-socialisation and reintegration of prisoners, the introduction of innovative measures to reduce re-offending, and improvements to the system of alternative sentencing and supervision. Activities under the prevention and response system for domestic and gender-based violence contributed to cultural change both in institutions and in society by reducing the stigmatisation of victims through fostering a better understanding of the problem and giving a greater focus to the victim's side. In the health programme, the Grants supported a shift from fragmented, institutionalised healthcare services to more flexible, person- and environment-centred support. Community-based services that improved access to health helped to reduce health inequalities and improve access to support for at-risk groups, and strengthened psychosocial well-being and families' capacity to cope with difficulties, thus reducing the risk of psychosocial problems among children in the long term.

A reduction in socio-economic disparities between rural regions and large cities in Lithuania was encouraged through projects in the culture programme, which also strengthened bilateral relations between Lithuania and the Donor States. A dedicated programme for business development, innovation and SMEs helped to reduce economic disparities by enhancing competitiveness and the internationalisation of Lithuanian businesses, and creating new jobs and new business opportunities, accelerating the transition to a digital economy.

Poland

In Poland, the EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 delivered extensive results across research, education, local development, justice, home affairs, climate, culture, business innovation and health. With an allocation of €807.3 million, the Grants supported actions that strengthened democratic governance, human rights, social inclusion, resilience and the green transition.

In justice and home affairs, programmes focused on improving access to justice, people-centred correctional services, and safer communities. Cooperation with Norwegian partners helped develop integrated systems for preventing domestic and gender-based violence, and enhanced law-enforcement capacities in areas such as organised crime, cyber security and crisis management.

Programmes in research supported responses to key societal challenges. Initiatives such as HarSval, which brought together 11 Polish and 14 Norwegian institutions, strengthened cooperation in climate and Arctic research and supported evidence-based policymaking.

In the areas of environment, energy and climate, bilateral projects helped local authorities and institutions build competence for the green transition. Geothermal energy modelling tools, created jointly with Icelandic partners, were tested at five locations and contributed to Poland's green transition efforts.

Programmes in culture, education and local development worked to strengthen inclusion, civic participation, cultural diversity and information integrity. Cultural initiatives engaged 1.5 million participants and revitalised dozens of heritage sites, while bilateral educational tools, including those supporting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, expanded democratic learning and community resilience. City-to-city cooperation under local development deepened ties between Polish, Icelandic and Norwegian municipalities and contributed to good governance, participatory planning and inclusive local solutions.

The extent of bilateral cooperation with Donor States during this period was remarkable, with about 60% of all projects carried out together with partners from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Romania

The EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 in Romania made a substantial contribution to reducing social and economic disparities, supporting 12 programmes and more than 1,000 projects across key sectors such as social inclusion, local development, justice, research, culture, health, the environment, energy, business and innovation, and civil society. These interventions reached some of the most vulnerable communities, strengthening access to essential services and promoting long-term institutional transformation.

A central achievement was the support provided to disadvantaged groups, including Roma communities. Through local development, over 25,000 vulnerable individuals in 500 municipalities received integrated social services, and 26 community centres were created or modernised. Education, healthcare and employment support were delivered nationwide, with targeted measures ensuring inclusive education and better access to medical and social services. Health initiatives expanded prevention and treatment capacities, including in the area of mental health. Research cooperation also registered important progress, with over 1,000 researchers supported and 381 peer-reviewed scientific papers published. The Grants also strengthened the justice system by creating 957 new prison places meeting European standards and equipping 46 prisons. In the area of culture, over 1.2 million people benefitted from 660 cultural activities and exhibitions, and eight heritage monuments were restored.

Romania implemented 382 partnership projects with entities from Donor States, while 18 Donor Programme Partners provided strategic expertise from programme design to implementation, fostering knowledge exchange and long-term cooperation.

Slovenia

The EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021 in Slovenia delivered strong results in helping reduce social and economic disparities while strengthening education, social inclusion and the green transition. Despite major challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 floods, programmes adjusted quickly, ensuring that support reached communities, institutions and vulnerable groups.

Climate action projects advanced sustainable mobility, circular economy solutions, ecosystem restoration, and renewable energy, reinforcing Slovenia's long-term resilience. An example is the installation of two new solar power plants, including a 3 MW installation at the Port of Koper, one of the largest in Slovenia, which significantly expanded renewable energy production and reduced emissions. In the area of education, the Grants modernised teaching, expanded digital and blended learning, strengthened support for NEET youth, and trained more than 1,700 educators. A notable achievement was the Children's House (Barnahús) child-friendly justice initiative, which improved protection and support for children involved in judicial processes and benefitted from continuous staff training, supported through bilateral cooperation.

Bilateral partnerships were a central feature of the Grants in Slovenia: 15 climate projects and 22 education projects involved partners from Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, enriching project design and introducing best practices, from geothermal expertise to inclusive education and digital skills.