1. NORWAY - CZECH REPUBLIC and the EEA FINANCIAL MECHANISMS A New European Partnership

2. THE EEA ENLARGEMENT Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are part of EU Internal Market through the EEA Agreement The EU enlargement from 15 to 25 members = EEA expansion from 18 to 28 Norway major contributor to two new instruments for social/economic cohesion

3. OBJECTIVES Reduce economic and social disparities in the enlarged EEA area Integrate new EEA members into the Internal Market Strengthen cooperation between the EEA-EFTA states and the beneficiary states

4. ALLOCATIONS (COUNTRY-BY COUNTRY) Poland 47 pct Hungary 11 pct Czech 10 pct

5. PRIORITIES Protection of the environment Sustainable development European cultural heritage Human resources development Health and childcare Research Additions under the Norwegian FM - Implementation of Schengen aquis - regional policy - cross-border activities - technical assistance for implementation of EU aquis

6. What the embassy cannot do not set the priorities not judge whether a project meets specified criteria not screen the applications not make decisions not give recommendations not evaluate or audit projects that have been completed

7. Role of the Embassy Promote and present the mechanisms Create platforms for networking and partnerships Respond to questions and queries “Map the terrain”

8. Overview function regional and local authorities open calls for proposals transparency civil society

9. WEB SITES www.eeagrants.org www.noramb.cz www.odin.dep.no/europaportalen/english/ www.phare

10. Open door policy Welcome Eva Andresen Wickman eva.wickman@mfa.no +420 257 32 3737