EEA and Norway Grants

The EEA and Norway Grants are funded by Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The Grants have two goals: to contribute to a more equal Europe, both socially and economically, and to strengthen the relations between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and the 15 Beneficiary States in Europe.

Two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were singed in Nicosia on 6 November 2025.

The three Donor States have allocated €17.6 million to Cyprus. Agreed priorities are green transition, culture, public health, domestic and gender-based violence.

Strengthening civil society will continue to be an important priority. An independent Cypriot Fund Operator - the consortium of NGO Support Centre and GrantXpert Consulting Ltd - has been selected after an open tender to manage the new civil society fund.

signing ceremony — Ambassador of Iceland, Ms Bryndis Kjartansdottir, State Secretary of the Kingdom of Norway, Ms Astrid Bergmål, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Makis Keravnos and Permanent Secretary of DG Growth Penelope Papavasiliou at the singing ceremony in Nicosia Photo: Republic of Cyprus

Programme focus

Enhancing local development

Given the size of the allocation and drawing on lessons learnt from previous programming periods, it was agreed that the funding will be implemented through a multi-sectoral approach within a single programme funded by both the EEA and Norway Grants – Local development (€12.1 million). A set of pre-defined projects will be supported in the areas of culture, public health, and domestic and gender-based violence. In addition, projects supporting the green transition, with a particular focus on water scarcity, will be selected through a call for proposals.

The programme will be managed by the Directorate General Growth, Ministry of Finance - an entity that will also act as the National Focal Point for the EEA and Norway Grants.

Bilateral cooperation  

Focus on a strong bilateral cooperation between entities in Cyprus and the donor states will contiunue.

Gender equality and digitalisation will be mainstreamed and form part of all relevant programme areas.

Through an earmarked contribution, the programme and funds for bilateral relations will also address challenges experienced in Cyprus as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Implementation of the programme and open calls are expected to be announced in mid 2026.