Results

Measuring achievements

To ensure that the EEA and Norway Grants programmes address truly critical challenges and achieve their results, programmes are designed with results-based management principles in mind. The following section offers a peek into the achievements of the Grants for the 2014-2021 funding period so far.

People will get involved in civil society organisation activities — Credits: Adam Rostkowski

580 000+ People involved in civil society organisation activities¹

Planned (2014-2021)
340 000+

100 000+ Vulnerable individuals reached
by empowerment measures¹

Planned (2014-2021)
34 000+

600+ Jobs created²

Planned (2014-2021)
5 300+

280+ Small and medium-size enterprises supported³

Planned (2014-2021)
1 000+

700+
projects with a Donor
Project Partner supported⁵

Planned (2014-2021)
1 800+

1 100+ Researchers supported⁴

Planned (2014-2021)
2 100+

1. EEA Grants only.
2. Out of 609 jobs, 395 were created with support from the EEA Grants, and 214 from the Norway Grants.
3. Out of 288 SMEs supported, 200 were funded by the EEA Grants, and 88 by the Norway Grants.
4. Out of 1100 researchers supported, almost 500 were funded by the EEA Grants, and 600+ by the Norway Grants.
5. Out of 729 projects with partners from the Donor States, 114 partnered up with entities from Iceland, 6 from Liechtenstein and 656 from Norway.

EEA and Norway Grants and the European Green Deal

The European Green Deal is the EU’s blueprint to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The EEA and Norway Grants contribute to this ambition by supporting various activities in 12 Beneficiary States. In the current funding period, the Donor States have allocated €457 million to address environmental issues and climate change and to promote sustainable energy.

The EEA and Norway Grants’ contribution to the European Green Deal

Policy area in the European Green Deal	Expected results of the EEA and Norway Grants
Contributions towards a climate-neutral economy and CO₂ emission reduction.	1 429 637 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per year in annual reductions, which corresponds to an estimated annual CO₂ emission from 800 000+ cars.
Mobilising industry for a clean and circular economy.	151 companies supported to apply, develop or commercialise blue technologies, processes and solutions. 100 professionals trained in circular economy.
Preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.	600 000 m² in area of wetland ecosystems restored. 10 ecosystems with improved ecological status. 6 wetland ecosystems supported.
Mobilising research and fostering innovation	70 researchers supported for carbon capture and storage projects.

EEA and Norway Grants and the Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals reflect a shared global vision for a peaceful and prosperous world through sustainable and fair development. Through the Grants, the Donor States empower public authorities, civil society, the private sector and academia in the Beneficiary States to take concrete actions to deliver on the shared commitment to fulfilling the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Good health & well-being

13 outcomes across 7 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 92 021 670

Quality education

24 outcomes across 9 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 93 609 368

Gender equality

11 outcomes across 6 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 20 486 250

Affordable & clean energy

18 outcomes across 6 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 191 961 060

Decent work & economic growth

57 outcomes across 14 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 193 875 446

Industry, innovation & infrastructure

29 outcomes across 18 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 474 630 646

Reduced inequalities

67 outcomes across 34 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 234 857 924

Sustainable cities & communities

19 outcomes across 15 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 171 092 959

Responsible consumption & production

12 outcomes across 7 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 42 987 448

Climate action

15 outcomes across 12 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 81 358 183

Life below water

6 outcomes across 6 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 17 728 694

Life on land

7 outcomes across 6 programmes with a total allocation of
€ 36 219 888

Peace, justice & strong institutions

382 outcomes across 134 programmes* with a total allocation of
€ 473 943 360

Partnership for the goals

57 outcomes across 14 programmes* with a total allocation of
€ 193 875 446

* Including Technical Assistance & Bilateral Funds

Project examples

Bulgaria: Med Mentors

The Med Mentors project in Bulgaria supports medical students from Roma communities across the country to succeed in their studies and subsequent careers. By providing both financial and personal assistance, the project aims to improve their opportunities and success rates while directly addressing the growing shortage of health workers in Bulgaria.

The scholarships behind the project are provided by the EEA Grants’ Active Citizens Fund. Participants receive a scholarship for an academic year, and complementary mentorship support from other medical professionals. The scholarship programme will support 40 Roma students per year. In total, 240 annual scholarships will be awarded over six years.

Credits: Trust for Social Achievement Foundation

Find out more about the Med Mentors project here and read more about the EEA and Norway Grants’ support to Roma inclusion and empowerment.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the students volunteered in local events focusing on COVID-19 prevention. By doing so, they made sure that accurate and fact-checked information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic was available to their communities.

Improving the situation of Roma across Europe is a priority of the EEA and Norway Grants. In total, an indicative minimum of €50 million is allocated to Roma inclusion through programmes in the sectors of health, local development, children and youth at risk, justice and home affairs, culture, research, and civil society. Special focus is placed on countries with large Roma populations – Bulgaria, Czechia, Greece, Romania and Slovakia.

Estonia: Roofit Solar

The Estonian cleantech company, Roofit Solar Energy OÜ, has developed a solar roof that cuts homeowners’ CO₂ footprint. With a capacity of 10 kW, a single roof can help prevent the emission of 300 tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere by producing solar energy. That is equivalent to driving a car around the globe 78 times.

Check out the project website
Green ICT –  Roofit.Solar

With funding from the Norway Grants, the company is working on a modular clickable roof tile that will make the product cheaper and more accessible. In addition, Roofit Solar is developing a new design and planning software to improve their services.

By the end of the project, the company aims for its green energy output to reach 50 000 MWH per year and to reduce annual CO₂ emissions by 200 kilotons. That’s the emission equivalent of approximately 61 000 cars.

Roofit Solar’s roofs already cover more than a hundred homes in Estonia and other countries on the EU market. Working with Norwegian partner Søran AS , they now plan to bring the products to the Norwegian market.

Portugal: Global Geoparks

Cooperating across Donor States and Beneficiary States is at the heart of the EEA and Norway Grants. Through dedicated bilateral funds in each Beneficiary State, the Grants support initiatives aiming at strengthening bilateral relations between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and the 15 Beneficiary States.

The project Sharing Good Practices between UNESCO Global Geoparks aims at strengthening the ties between Portuguese, Norwegian and Icelandic unique geological sites – known as UNESCO ‘Geoparks’. This bilateral initiative aligns with the United Nations’ 17th Sustainable Development Goal on promoting global partnerships for sustainable development.

Find out more about the project here

This EEA Grants initiative brings the Estrela UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) in Portugal, the Gea Norvegica UGGp in Norway, and the Katla UGGp in Iceland closer together. This will enable the three Geoparks to create and share innovative approaches and tools towards the sustainable development of their unique territories.

The project involves joint exchanges and seminars linking the employees of the three Geoparks. By partnering up, they will share knowledge and learn from each other’s extensive experiences in areas that are relevant to the UNESCO Global Geoparks, such as the Conservation of Geological Heritage, Natural Risks, Climate Action and Education and Community Development, just to name a few.

An exhibition called ‘Rocks with History’, will also be organised simultaneously in the three countries. This will give each project member an opportunity to promote their work, activities and territories on a European level.

Greece: Desalination

Freshwater resources are limited and under pressure, often threatened by issues such as climate change, pollution and population growth. This is one of the reasons why the United Nations’ 6th Sustainable Development Goal calls for access to water and sanitation for all.

To help meet increasing water demands, a process known as desalination is being used to create drinking water from seawater. However, marine pollution is threatening seawater desalination and limits the resources from which water can be desalinated.

Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway emphasise the value of high-quality programmes. The EEA and Norway Grants focus on people and societies, foster sustainable economic growth and encourage collaboration and partnerships across sectors and countries.

580 000+ People involved in civil society organisation activities¹