European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2021–20289
On 8 July 2025, the Secretary of State for Planning and Regional Development, Hélder Reis, the Norwegian Ambassador to Lisbon, Hanne Brusletto, and the then Icelandic Ambassador to Portugal, Unnur Ramette, signed the Memorandum of Understanding, marking the establishment of the 6th European Economic Area Financial Mechanism (EEA FM 2021–2028).
This new cooperation agreement between Portugal, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein reinforces the shared commitment to reducing social and economic disparities within the European Economic Area and to strengthening bilateral relations between the beneficiary and donor countries.
The 6th EEA Grants Funding Cycle represents a total allocation of €126,3 million and aims to support initiatives that foster Europe’s green transition, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, inclusion and social resilience.
There are four thematic areas prioritised under the 6th Financial Mechanism:
- Blue Growth
Programme: Blue Growth
Programme Operator: Directorate-General for Maritime Policy (DGPM)
Programme Partners:
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- National: National Innovation Agency, Foundation for Science and Technology, National Erasmus+ Education and Training Agency
- Donor States: Innovation Norway, Research Council of Norway, Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, Icelandic Centre for Research, Liechtenstein National Agency for International Education Affairs
Programme Objective: To strengthen value creation and the sustainable growth of the blue economy in Portugal by supporting green and blue innovation, research and skills development.
Financial Allocation: €57.6 million (€49 million EEA Grants + €8.6 million national co-financing)
- Green Transition
Programme: Green Transition
Programme Operator: Portuguese Agency for Climate (ApC, I.P.)
Programme Partner (Donor States): Norwegian Environment Agency
Programme Objective: To accelerate the green transition towards a more sustainable society, through initiatives addressing air, water and soil pollution, promoting the circular economy, biodiversity, and the application of innovative nature-based solutions.
Financial Allocation: €34.7 million (€29.5 million EEA Grants + €5.2 million national co-financing)
- Domestic and Gender-Based Violence
Programme: Domestic and Gender-Based Violence
Programme Operator: Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG)
Programme Partners:
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- Donor States: Norwegian Directorate for Health, Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security
- International Partner Organisation: Council of Europe
Programme Objective: To combat domestic and gender-based violence, ensure access to justice, and strengthen institutional cooperation and capacity building.
Financial Allocation: €14.1 million (€12 million EEA Grants + €2.1 million national co-financing)
- Culture
Programme: Culture
Programme Operator: Cultural Heritage, Public Institute (PC, I.P.)
Programme Partners:
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- National: Directorate-General for the Arts (DG Artes)
- Donor States: Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage, Arts and Culture Norway, Icelandic Centre for Research
Programme Objective: To increase participation, sustainability and diversity in the arts, culture and cultural heritage.
Financial Allocation: €10.5 million (€9 million EEA Grants + €1.5 million national co-financing)
Through a dedicated contribution of €6.3 million, the programmes will also respond to the challenges Portugal faces as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, supporting initiatives that promote social cohesion and resilience.
Gender equality and digitalisation are cross-cutting priorities in all programmes.
Fund for Bilateral Relations:
The Fund for Bilateral Relations, with an allocation of €3 million from the EEA Grants, aims to support initiatives that strengthen bilateral relations between Portugal and the donor countries.
At national level, the Fund is managed by the National Focal Point for the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism (NFP-EEA FM), supporting several thematic areas of bilateral interest, with an allocation of €1.7 million.
Each Programme manages its own share of this Fund within its respective thematic area, with a total allocation of €1.3 million.
Civil Society Fund
Managed by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, in consortium with the Bissaya Barreto Foundation, with a financial allocation of €12.8 million, this Fund supports projects that promote democracy, human rights and civic engagement, with a focus on media literacy, anti-discrimination, gender equality and climate action.