The EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism

The EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, also known as the Norwegian and EEA Grants, are a form of non-repayable foreign aid awarded by Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein to Central and Southern European countries as well as the Baltic states. These funds are linked to Poland’s accession to the European Union and the simultaneous entry of our country into the European Economic Area (EEA), which is comprised of the EU states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. In exchange for the financial aid provided, the donor states benefit from access to the EU internal market despite not being EU members.

The main goal of the Norwegian and EEA Funds is to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities within the EEA and to strengthen bilateral relations between the donor states and the beneficiary state.

The Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy (MFiPR) in Poland is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Norwegian and EEA Funds, acting as the so-called National Focal Point (NFP) for the Norwegian and EEA Grants. As the NFP, the MFiPR maintains constant cooperation with the Financial Mechanism Office in Brussels.