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Following enlargement of EU in 2004, Norway has established Norwegian Financial Mechanism to support social and economic cohesion within the enlarged EEA that is aimed to ten new Member States. In total, the financial mechanisms will make available 1.17 billion euros over the five-year period 2004-2009, supporting projects in a wide range of priority sectors. Protection of the environment and development of human resources are among the priority areas.

Recently website of the EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism has started announcements of  Memoranda of Understanding with new Member states of EU. Two Baltic countries, Latvia and Estonia already signed Memoranda and are respectively eligible for support and Lithuania seems to be on the way. Each country has agreed on priority and focus areas within the program and mechanism for financial management.

BOVA network already made some attempts to reach these funds in the very early stage of planning and now we have a real chances to try our success. Norwegian support will be mainly administered by national ministries of finances and at the level of university it may look more like national support but we still may try to apply with projects having a regional Baltic dimension. After Memoranda of Understanding will be signed with Lithuania we may look for a common priorities and try to apply for funds.

More information could be found on the the website of EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism in the documents section. Annexes to memorandums are of particular interest as priority areas for projects are listed there.

Prepared at BOVA secretariat
Alvidas Sarlauskas

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