EEA Grants: Norwegian Footprints in Central-Europe

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Wednesday, 19 January 2011 13:04

EEA Grants: Norwegian Footprints in Central-Europe

The Norwegian Forum for Europe was held at the Norwegian Theatre on tuesday 18 January. 28 round table participants and an audience of approximately 100 was gathered to discuss issues related to the EEA Grants.

In addition to Foreign Minister Støre, speakers at this years forum were John G. Bernander (Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise, NHO), Roar Flåthen (The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions, LO), Gunn Ovesen (Innovation Norway), Ellen Hambro (The Climate and Pollution Agency), Bjørn Engesland (The Norwegian Helsinki Committee) and Arvid Hallén (The Research Council of Norway). Secretary of State Erik Lahnstein moderated the fruitful discussions after the introductions.

Important contributions
There was a general agreement among the participants that the EEA grants plays a key role in contributing to the countries in the region. The EEA Grants are used to finance projects with great importance for the recipients. The NGO sector was pointed out as one particular important sector, especially because this is a sector that lacks financing from national governments and that other important donors, for example the Soros Foundation, has pulled out from the region.

Fund for decent work
A new feature in the EEA Grants 2009-2014 is the establishment of a fund for decent work and tripartite dialogue. This new fund was shown great interest especially by speakers representing the trade unions and the employers' organisations. In a situation of financial crisis and rising unemployment, grants that focuses on decent work and tripartite cooperations will be important. Both LO and NHO emphasized Norway's unique competence in this field, and that sharing this competence is a key factor. - It is important, it is the right thing to do, and we want to be a part of it, said President of NHO John G. Bernander.

A foreign policy tool
Fredrik Sejersted, who leads the public commision analyzing Norway's relationship with the EU was positive to the development in the discussions regarding the EEA Grants. - Earlier, this debate focused on the amount size. Today, we have seen a fruitful discussion about what we want to support with the EEA Grants. The EEA Grants is no longer just a contribution to Europe, it has also become an important foreign policy tool, said Sejersted.