Rektoru Padomes sēde, Norwegian Financial Mechanism – cooperation possibilities Latvian Rector’s Council,

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Agenda 1. New financial instruments - EEA Financial Mechanism and Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2. Types of project assistance and priority sectors 3. Progress and first open call 4. Further steps ?

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Under the EEA Enlargement Agreement two new financial instruments will be available for several EU countries, also for Latvia: EEA Financial Mechanism ( the donors are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) – Mlj Euro EEA Financial Mechanism ( the donors are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) – Mlj Euro Norwegian Financial Mechanism ( the Donor is Norway) – 34,02 mlj euro Norwegian Financial Mechanism ( the Donor is Norway) – 34,02 mlj euro The Mechanisms will make commitments The Mechanisms will make commitments for 5 years period from 1 May 2004 to 30 April for 5 years period from 1 May 2004 to 30 April 2009.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, The total allocated amount for Latvia under the both financial mechanisms is 51’269’400 EUR, excluding the management costs (carried out by FMO). The total allocated amount for Latvia under the both financial mechanisms is 51’269’400 EUR, excluding the management costs (carried out by FMO). Every year the 1/5 part of the total allocated amount is available for Latvia Every year the 1/5 part of the total allocated amount is available for Latvia

Rektoru Padomes sēde, The two financial mechanisms were created as part of the EEA Enlargement Agreement. The EEA Agreement entered into force on 1 January The EEA Agreement entered into force on 1 January In order to continue a close co-operation between European countries in trade area the European Economic Area (EEA) was established. In order to continue a close co-operation between European countries in trade area the European Economic Area (EEA) was established. The EEA 18 became the EEA 28 on 1 May 2004, when 10 new countries became members of the EU. The EEA 18 became the EEA 28 on 1 May 2004, when 10 new countries became members of the EU.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, The EEA comprises the 25 EU Member States and three EEA EFTA States: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. These states participate in an Internal Market in which the same basic rules apply. These states participate in an Internal Market in which the same basic rules apply. The purpose is to enable goods, services, capital, and persons to move unimpeded throughout the EEA in an open and competitive environment, a legal framework referred to as the “four freedoms”. The purpose is to enable goods, services, capital, and persons to move unimpeded throughout the EEA in an open and competitive environment, a legal framework referred to as the “four freedoms”.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, The purpose is to contribute to the reduction of social and economic disparities within the EEA to contribute to the reduction of social and economic disparities within the EEA to support the new EU member states in their efforts to participate fully in the enlarged internal market. to support the new EU member states in their efforts to participate fully in the enlarged internal market.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Today the EFTA members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Today the EFTA members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. was founded in 1960 to promote free trade as a means of achieving growth and prosperity among its Member States, closer economic co-operation between the Western European countries, and the expansion of global trade. was founded in 1960 to promote free trade as a means of achieving growth and prosperity among its Member States, closer economic co-operation between the Western European countries, and the expansion of global trade.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Types of project assistance Individual projects. Its size is not less than EUR Individual projects. Its size is not less than EUR Individual projects Individual projects Programmes (groups of projects). A coordinated portfolio of separate projects aimed at achieving common objectives. Programmes (groups of projects). A coordinated portfolio of separate projects aimed at achieving common objectives. Programmes (groups of projects) Programmes (groups of projects) Block grants. A fund set up for a clearly defined purpose, which may provide assistance to individuals, organizations or institutions. Includes support for NGOs, technical co-operation and scholarships. Block grants. A fund set up for a clearly defined purpose, which may provide assistance to individuals, organizations or institutions. Includes support for NGOs, technical co-operation and scholarships. Block grants Block grants Seed money facility. To facilitate the preparation of projects and to support the establishment of new partnerships created for the purpose of designing and implementing new projects. Seed money facility. To facilitate the preparation of projects and to support the establishment of new partnerships created for the purpose of designing and implementing new projects. Seed money facility Seed money facility

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Under the EEA Enlargement Agreement Grants from booth Financial Mechanisms are available for projects in the following priority sectors; Protection of the environment Protection of the environment Promotion of sustainable development Promotion of sustainable development Conservation of European cultural heritage Conservation of European cultural heritage Health and childcare; Health and childcare; Human resources development; Human resources development; Academic research works in so far as they target one or more of the priority sectors. Academic research works in so far as they target one or more of the priority sectors.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Human resources development promotion of education and training, promotion of education and training, strengthening of administrative or public service capacities of local government or its institutions as well as the democratic processes, which support it; strengthening of administrative or public service capacities of local government or its institutions as well as the democratic processes, which support it;

Rektoru Padomes sēde, The Norwegian Financial Mechanism Grants are available for projects in the same sectors as in the EEA Financial Mechanism Priority will nevertheless be given to projects in the fields of: Priority will nevertheless be given to projects in the fields of: Implementation of Schengen acquis Implementation of Schengen acquis Environment Environment Regional policy and cross-border activities; Regional policy and cross-border activities; Technical assistance relating to the implementation of acquis communautaire. Technical assistance relating to the implementation of acquis communautaire.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Latvian national priorities Latvian national priorities

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Progress On December 16, 2005 first Monitoring and Steering committee meetings took place in the Ministry of Finance. On December 16, 2005 first Monitoring and Steering committee meetings took place in the Ministry of Finance. On December 7, 2005 the Annual meeting on the implementation of Financial mechanisms in the time period from November 2004 till November 2005 took place in the Ministry of Finance. On December 7, 2005 the Annual meeting on the implementation of Financial mechanisms in the time period from November 2004 till November 2005 took place in the Ministry of Finance.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Progress Representatives from the Focal Point, FMO from Brussels, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Police, Iceland Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norwegian Embassy in Riga were participating in the meeting. Representatives from the Focal Point, FMO from Brussels, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Police, Iceland Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norwegian Embassy in Riga were participating in the meeting. During the meeting Annual report of EEA financial mechanism and Annual report of Norwegian financial mechanism were approved. During the meeting Annual report of EEA financial mechanism and Annual report of Norwegian financial mechanism were approved.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Progress On November 8, 2005 was held the Cabinet of Ministers meeting, where the Cabinet of Ministers Rules Nr.852 "Rules on Europe Economic Area Financial mechanism’s and Norwegian Financial mechanism’s management, implementation, monitoring, control and evaluation system" were approved. On November 8, 2005 was held the Cabinet of Ministers meeting, where the Cabinet of Ministers Rules Nr.852 "Rules on Europe Economic Area Financial mechanism’s and Norwegian Financial mechanism’s management, implementation, monitoring, control and evaluation system" were approved.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Progress Wherewith is possible to start the implementation process of these Financial Mechanisms in Latvia. Wherewith is possible to start the implementation process of these Financial Mechanisms in Latvia. First open call for Individual project’s application is planned to be announced early in the year First open call for Individual project’s application is planned to be announced early in the year 2006.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Ideas for cooperation Qualification framework – learning outcomes ; Qualification framework – learning outcomes ; Research networks; Research networks; Staff ( both academic and administrative) upgrading; Staff ( both academic and administrative) upgrading; Mobility ; Mobility ; Methodology of curricula development Methodology of curricula development Internal quality culture Internal quality culture

Rektoru Padomes sēde, WE have a lot of ideas!!! WE have a lot of ideas!!! But how do we manage it?... But how do we manage it?...

Rektoru Padomes sēde, Thank you!

Rektoru Padomes sēde, www

Rektoru Padomes sēde, THE STRUCTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORWAY Institutions offering higher educaton in Norway may be divided into two major sectors: the university sector and the college sector: Institutions offering higher educaton in Norway may be divided into two major sectors: the university sector and the college sector: the university sector the university sector the college sector the college sector

Rektoru Padomes sēde, The Council is a coordinating, common body for the four Norwegian universities and six university colleges: University of Bergen University of Bergen University of Oslo University of Tromsø Norwegian University of Science and Technology Norwegian University of Science and Technology Agricultural University of Norway Oslo School of Architecture Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration Administration Norwegian University of Sport and Physical Education Norwegian University of Sport and Physical Education Norwegian State Academy of Music Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine

Rektoru Padomes sēde, The major objectives of the Council are: * to develop strategies for higher education and research in the Norwegian university system * to improve national coordination in the educational and research sector * to serve as a common instrument for the member institutions in their international cooperation * to develop strategies for higher education and research in the Norwegian university system * to improve national coordination in the educational and research sector * to serve as a common instrument for the member institutions in their international cooperation

Rektoru Padomes sēde, The Council has an Executive Board responsible for the joint activities taken care of by the Council and for recommendations to member institutions and to the government authorities in matters of common concern and interest. The Council has an Executive Board responsible for the joint activities taken care of by the Council and for recommendations to member institutions and to the government authorities in matters of common concern and interest.

Rektoru Padomes sēde, The university sector includes the universities and the university colleges ("vitenskapelige høgskoler") The university sector includes the universities and the university colleges ("vitenskapelige høgskoler") These institutions carry out research and offer university-level instruction at undergraduate and graduate levels, leading to academic degrees. These institutions carry out research and offer university-level instruction at undergraduate and graduate levels, leading to academic degrees. There are four universities in Norway There are six university colleges; There are four universities in Norway There are six university colleges;

Rektoru Padomes sēde, The college sector The college sector After a reorganisation finalized in August 1994, there are 26 state colleges with approximately 72,000 students (1997). These offer 1-4 year study programmes leading to qualifications in teaching, engineering, public administration, social work, music, health education, etc. The college sector After a reorganisation finalized in August 1994, there are 26 state colleges with approximately 72,000 students (1997). These offer 1-4 year study programmes leading to qualifications in teaching, engineering, public administration, social work, music, health education, etc. In addition there are about 12,000 students in private colleges. In addition there are about 12,000 students in private colleges.