Geographic context of applying for grants from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein and the use grant money in Lithuania in the framework of the “European Economic area (EEA)” and the “Norway” programmes

Abstract

68 Though Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are not EU countries, they also seek to share the responsibility of reducing socioeconomic disparities on European territory, especially in Eastern and Central Europe. In connection with the EU and EEA enlargement in 2004, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein introduced the “Europe Economic Area (EEA)” and “Norway” grant mechanisms [3] aimed at solving the above mentioned problems. The Agreement of the European Economic Area establishes the legislative framework for the single internal market of 27 EU members and three EEA EFTA countries. The agreement guarantees “four freedoms” — the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital — for 30 EEA member states. In addition, the agreement covers co-operation in other important areas such as research and development, education, social policy, environment protection, consumer protection, tourism and culture [1]. The agreement guarantees equal rights and obligations within the internal market for citizens and economic operators in the EEA. The agreement establishes two types of financial mechanisms: multilateral financial mechanism (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and bilateral financial mechanism in Norway. In 2004—2009, 600 million euros were allocated in the framework of the multilateral financial mechanism, and 567 million euros in the framework of the bilateral mechanism; these funds can be assigned only to the states that acceded to the EU not earlier than 2004. The agreements with beneficiary states give priority to the following areas: environment protection, sustainable development, cultural heritage, human resources, healthcare, social protection of children, provided by the requirements of the Schengen acquis, regional policy and cross border cooperation, academic research, technical assistance, in order to meet the EU accession requirements (the Acquis Communautaire). Gender equality, ‘good governance’ and sustainable development are the core criteria for all projects [4]. Eduardas Spiriajevas