Between February 2024 and March 2025, the Portuguese National Institute of Public Administration (INA) implemented the initiative "Empowering Public Administration through Knowledge and Innovation," funded by the EEA Grants Fund for Bilateral Relations. This project promoted cooperation between Portugal and Iceland, with a focus on administrative modernization, sustainability, and innovation in the public sector.
The initiative featured exchange visits between Lisbon and Reykjavik, fostering the sharing of best practices in areas such as transparency, economic development, housing policy, public administration training, and digital governance. The Icelandic delegation engaged with several Portuguese institutions, including the Court of Auditors, PlanAPP - Centro de Planeamento e de Avaliação de Políticas Públicas, ANI - Agência Nacional de Inovação, and the Lisbon City Council, among others.
As a result, institutional ties between the two countries were strengthened, paving the way for future collaboration. The initiative will conclude with the publication of a final report and an e-book consolidating key insights and recommendations for the public administration sector.