Norway signs agreement with Bulgaria on EEA and Norway Grants

Press release | Date: 04/12/2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Norway signed an agreement in Bulgaria today on a new funding period for the EEA and Norway Grants.

Through these funds, Norway will cooperate with Bulgaria on areas such as energy security, sustainable oceans and waterways, local development and justice. The agreement also includes cooperation on innovation, business development, and culture. The agreement was signed in Sofia.

'The EEA and Norway Grants strengthen cooperation between Norway and several European countries, and I am pleased that we have now signed a new agreement with Bulgaria. Joint efforts for green transition, democracy and resilience make Europe stronger,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Norway's ambassador to Bulgaria, Hilde Svartdal Lunde, signed for Norway in Sofia. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth, Tomislav Donchev, signed for Bulgaria.

Approximately NOK 3 billion (EUR 260 million) has been allocated to Bulgaria for the current period. Norway will provide around 97 % of that amount. The remainder will be provided by Iceland and Liechtenstein. The funding period formally ends in 2028, but project funds may be disbursed up to the end of April 2031.

The grants have been allocated to seven programmes. The inclusion and empowerment of Roma is part of several programmes. NOK 151 million (EUR 13 million) has been earmarked for measures in Bulgaria to deal with the consequences of Russia's war in Ukraine.

Reducing social and economic disparities

The aim of Norway's funding under the EEA and Norway Grants scheme is to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe. In addition, the scheme helps to enhance cooperation between Norway and the beneficiary states. Fifteen countries qualify to receive funding under the EEA and Norway Grants scheme.

Agreements are drawn up for each beneficiary country that set out a portfolio of programmes to be implemented and specify the partners that will cooperate on programme implementation.

In addition to the individual agreements with each beneficiary state, a separate fund has been set up to support civil society in the beneficiary states. This funding is administered independently of the authorities in each individual country.