From 18 to 19 November this year, in the capital of Poland, Warsaw, the programme operator participated in the Polish European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants’ local development programme closing conference and programme operators’ seminar. This event enhanced cooperation with regional and international partners while showcasing achievements in regional development within Poland’s programme framework and exchanging best practices in programme implementation.
The Polish local development programme, launched in 2019, allocated over €130 million for project implementation. This funding supported cities in designing tailored local development and action plans, implementing solutions to specific challenges, and fostering bilateral cooperation with partners from Norway and Iceland. Altogether, 29 open-call projects were implemented, enabling cities to address local needs and improve residents’ quality of life by developing infrastructure and promoting civic participation in municipal initiatives. The conference highlighted the programme’s achievements, with an emphasis on knowledge exchange, the development of best practices, and the strengthening of international partnerships, which have significantly contributed to the growth and development of Polish communities.
On the second day of the conference, the Polish Development Fund and the Ministry of Regional Policy, in collaboration with the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) and the Financial Mechanism Office, organised a seminar for programme operators. Representatives from Latvia, Croatia, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria participated, sharing experiences and showcasing results achieved through EEA and Norway grant-funded projects. Croatia implemented eight projects under an open-call competition to strengthen the competencies of primary education teachers and professionals and to promote equal educational opportunities for children in primary schools. These activities included STEM initiatives, classroom renovations, school equipment upgrades, and the establishment of four regional science centres featuring facilities like planetariums and interactive Newton rooms. Croatian projects also collaborated with science centres in Ventspils and Cēsis, Latvia. Additionally, Croatia’s Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds launched a bilateral cooperation fund call for applications titled “Support for Future Bilateral Cooperation for Regional Science Centres in Croatia, Norway, and Latvia”, running until 31 January 2025.
Romania had the most extensive programme, supporting 111 projects with total funding of €81.4 million—the second-largest allocation for local development programmes under the EEA and Norway Grants, after Poland. Romania’s programme focused on various social and educational areas, with a particular emphasis on the inclusion of the Roma community. Initiatives included establishing an integrated network of community centres and providing new housing opportunities.
Latvia’s programme operator presented its local development programme, highlighting its contributions to promoting regional entrepreneurship, strengthening municipal cooperation, and involving youth in cultural development. The collaboration with donor partners, including KS and Art and Culture Norway, was instrumental during programme design and implementation, ensuring effective partner engagement in projects. EEA and Norway Grants programme operators discussed their implementation experiences, which have enabled more efficient and responsive programme execution, fostering mutual communication both in programme management and international cooperation. The exchange of experiences, lessons learned, and best practices will be particularly beneficial for preparing and implementing the next grant period.
For more information about Poland’s local development programme, visit: https://www.eog.gov.pl/en .
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