BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 13. On Thursday,
October 9, the State Secretary of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Maria Varteressian, and Latvia’s Minister of Finance,
Arvils Ašeradens, signed Memoranda of Understanding to implement
the European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants program through
2031, Trend
reports.
Under this new funding period, Latvia will receive a total of
109.5 million euros in grant support.
“For Norway, the EEA and Norway Grants are among our most
important contributions to a strong, secure, and united Europe.
They are a cornerstone of our close and trusted partnership with
Latvia — a partnership built on solidarity, mutual respect, and
shared values. By deepening and expanding our cooperation, we are
investing in the resilience of our societies and in the democratic
values that unite us,” said State Secretary Maria Varteressian.
Harald Aspelund, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Iceland to Latvia, highlighted the importance of continued
collaboration.
“At a time of complex challenges and geopolitical uncertainty,
Latvia remains a close friend and ally in Europe. The EEA Grants
have strengthened our mutually beneficial cooperation, and Iceland
looks forward to continuing this partnership to support
development, resilience, and closer ties between our countries,” he
said.
Minister Ašeradens emphasized that the signing marks an
important continuation of Latvia’s long-standing cooperation with
Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
“The EEA and Norway Grants have consistently provided vital
support for Latvia’s economic and social development — from
strengthening business development, education, and research to
promoting green innovation and social inclusion. In this new
period, the funding will directly contribute to Latvia’s key
national priorities — security, sustainability, and support for
families,” he added.
In the new grant period, support will focus on three main
priority areas.
43 million euros will be directed toward strengthening local
development and resilience, including the construction of new
shelters, upgrades to civil protection infrastructure, and the
installation of generators to ensure energy continuity for
essential services.
27.5 million euros will support green innovation,
entrepreneurship, and the remediation of polluted sites.
15 million euros will go toward correctional services, including
the construction of a new women’s prison and the expansion of
rehabilitation programs for children with substance addictions.
As in previous periods, targeted funding will also be available
for Latvian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with 10 million
euros allocated to the Civil Society Fund (formerly the Active
Citizens Fund). The fund’s implementation will be fully managed by
the Financial Mechanism Office established by the donor states in
Brussels, without the involvement of Latvian institutions. Donor
countries will select the fund operator from Latvia’s NGO
sector.
The Memorandums of Understanding define financial allocations
and the principles of program management. Following their signing,
Latvia’s responsible ministries — in cooperation with national
partners, NGOs, and donor-state representatives — will develop
detailed program concepts for approval within three months.
Once approved, the program agreements will be finalized and
signed bilaterally between Latvia and the donor states, launching
the implementation phase, expected at the end of 2026 or early
2027. In parallel, Latvia’s Ministry of Finance is preparing the
national regulatory framework to support program delivery.
The EEA and Norway Grants are provided by Iceland,
Liechtenstein, and Norway to promote social and economic cohesion
in Europe and to strengthen bilateral cooperation with beneficiary
states.