BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The signing of a
new Memorandum of Understanding on rolling out the European
Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants for 2021–2028 kicks off a new
phase in Latvia’s ongoing partnership with Norway, Iceland, and
Liechtenstein, Trend
reports via a communique via the Latvian Finance Ministry.
The deal hands Latvia a golden ticket to 109.5 million euros in
grant support, lightening the load on the state budget and paving
the way for crucial investments in key areas like defense,
security, and family support.
From a practical standpoint, the new funding will enable
specific activities in strategically important sectors—including
strengthening civil protection and electricity supply security,
promoting green innovation and entrepreneurship, implementing
environmentally friendly solutions, and enhancing correctional and
social rehabilitation services. Planned initiatives include the
construction of a new women’s prison and support measures for
children with addictions.
In strategic terms, the agreement reaffirms a stable and trusted
partnership between Latvia and the donor countries, built on shared
values of solidarity, democracy, and mutual confidence. This
cooperation plays a crucial role in strengthening Latvia’s
resilience and national security.
The total grant funding of 109.5 million euros, after
administrative cost deductions, will result in net investments of
85.5 million euros. The support will be distributed among several
key priorities, with additional co-financing from the Latvian state
budget.
The lion’s share — a whopping 43 million euros — will be
earmarked for local development and resilience, including the
construction and adaptation of shelters, installation of generators
in critical institutions, and improvement of municipal crisis
management systems and communication during emergencies.
Another 27.5 million euros will be directed to green innovation,
supporting entrepreneurs in developing environmentally friendly
products and implementing energy-efficient technologies. The
funding will also cover the remediation of contaminated areas to
enable future economic use of restored sites.
A further 15 million euros will be allocated to social security
and correctional services, covering the construction of a women’s
prison, strengthening correctional service capacity, and expanding
rehabilitation services for children struggling with
addictions.
In addition to these priorities, funding will also be directed
to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation and targeted support
for Latvian non-governmental organizations, with fund
administration managed by an institution selected by the donor
countries.
The EEA and Norway Grants stand for more than simply handing out
financial support—they serve as a long-term partnership framework
between Latvia and the donor countries. This cooperation is
embedded in joint program planning and management, shared
priorities, and dedicated initiatives aimed at fostering bilateral
engagement.
Past grant periods have borne fruit for Latvia, with over 300
projects taking root across a variety of sectors—from
entrepreneurship and education to regional development, climate
action, and cultural growth. These programs have also strengthened
institutional capacity in internal affairs and correctional
services.
This funding period keeps the ball rolling on that tradition,
fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration among public
institutions, NGOs, and the business sector in Latvia and the donor
countries. This enduring partnership reinforces trust and
solidarity—values that remain essential for Latvia’s stability and
long-term development.
Latvia commenced provisional cooperation with the European
Economic Area (EEA) on May 1, 2004, upon its accession to the
European Union. The formal accord for Latvia’s complete
participation in the EEA became effective on December 6, 2005,
subsequent to the ratification by all current EEA members.