The Programme “Environment, Energy and Climate change” financed from the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 has officially been launched. The inauguration of the III edition of the Grants in the area of environment, energy and climate change took place in the Ministry of Climate. Programme agreements were signed at the beginning of February by the Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak, the Minister of Climate Michał Kurtyka and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Poland Olav Myklebust.
The overall budget of the Programme „Environment, Energy and Climate Change” is EUR 164,7 million, from which EUR 140 million are resources of the EEA Financial Mechanism, and EUR 24,7 million is a national contribution.
"Similarly as in previous editions of the EEA and Norway Grants, also in the Third edition our country is the largest beneficiary of the resources, originating from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, among all 15 beneficiary-states, with a support of over EUR 809 million" - emphasized Minister Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak during the conference.
The Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy added, that since the year 2004 Poland effectively used over EUR 1 billion coming from the EEA and Norway Grants, implementing hundreds of projects with the aim to reduce socio-economic differences within the European Economic Area.
"Important element of Norway Grants, besides of course a wide support of innovative solutions, is strengthening the economic ties between Poland and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway” – said Minister Jarosińska-Jedynak and emphasized – “I’m convinced, that continuation of the cooperation under the III edition of the EEA and Norway Grants, as well as partnership approach, allow us for the next time to achieve a common success".
The Vice-Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy Waldemar Buda also participated in the launching conference of the Programme “Environment, Energy and Climate Change”.
The Ministry of Climate implements the Programme as Operator, in cooperation with the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management and partners from the donor-states. For support will be able to apply local governments, non-governmental organizations, universities or entrepreneurs.
The Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy is responsible for coordination and implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants in Poland. The development funds resort’s task is the coordination and supervision of programmes’ implementation in Poland by different ministries and institutions, which play a role of Programme Operators in their fields of interest.
