Within the scope of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014 – 2021, the Secretary General for the Environment (SGA), operator of the Environment Programme, and the Directorate-General for Maritime Policy (DGPM), operator of the Blue Growth Programme, organized an event which aims to demonstrate the synergies between both Programs and publicize the projects financed in the areas of circular economy and marine litter reduction.
The event took place on the 3rd of May, with a hybrid nature – online and in person, at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento, Lisbon, in the presence of the Norwegian Ambassador to Portugal, Tove Bruvik Westberg, the Secretary of State for the Sea, José Maria Costa, Secretary of State for the Environment and Energy, João Galamba, the Partner of the Innovation Norway Program, Magnar Ødelien, the Deputy Director of the General Directorate for Sea Policies Conceição Santos, the Coordinator of the National Management Unit, Susana Ramos and the Secretary General for Environment and Energy Transition, Alexandra Carvalho.
During the pitch session that took place in the morning, 13 projects were presented on the themes of removing single-use plastics from the maritime environment, through actions to raise awareness of the need to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics and plastic bottles. and encourage their recovery after use, innovation applied in the quantification of waste in the marine environment and in the development of new by-products and raw materials from waste and surpluses from the sea, production of sustainable networks and optimization of waste management.
The afternoon session included the promotion of Bilateral Meetings (b2b) where the Promoters had the opportunity to demonstrate the stage of development of their projects and respective results.
The Environment, Climate Change and Low-Carbon Economy Programme – 'Environment Programme' - was created following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Portugal, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, with a view to implementing the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area in Portugal. (MFEEE – EEA Grants) 2014-2021 in the program areas Environment and Ecosystems (PA11), and Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (PA13).
The Environment Programme Operator is the General Secretariat for the Environment with a total allocation of €29,411,765, of which 85% are Source Financing EEA Grants (€25,000,000) and 15% from General State Revenue (€4,411,765).