The Memoranda of Understanding for the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants were signed on May 13, 2026. Romania has been allocated nearly 600 million euros, but the first calls for projects will not appear before the end of the year.
The EEA and Norway Grants are funded by Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein in exchange for these states' access to the European single market. This is a funding source distinct from structural funds, with its own procedures and a traditional focus on bilateral cooperation with entities from donor states.
The signing of the memoranda marks the formal start of the 2021-2028 cycle. The allocation for Romania is nearly 600 million euros, distributed across several thematic programs to be defined in the next stage.
The procedural calendar is clear: program operators are required to develop the Concept Note for each program by November 14, 2026, at the latest, which is within six months of the memoranda coming into force. Only after these notes are approved can the calls for projects be launched.
Expected eligible beneficiaries include non-governmental organizations, SMEs, large enterprises, and universities. The exact eligibility structure and types of funded investments will be established through each individual program.
For companies, the practical conclusion is that 2026 is a year of waiting for this funding source. The first calls are realistically expected in 2027. The previous edition of the grants successfully funded green innovation, renewable energy, and business development projects with Norwegian partners, a model that could be repeated.
The specific feature of the EEA and Norway Grants, compared to structural funds, is the emphasis on bilateral partnership. In previous editions, projects that included a partner from Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein received extra points and access to a dedicated bilateral relations fund, which financed visits, exchange of experience, and collaboration development.
For companies considering this source, the waiting period until 2027 is the right time to identify a partner. Bilateral chambers of commerce, embassies, and sectoral networks are the usual channels. A partnership built in advance, with real common objectives, shows in the quality of the proposal and is difficult to improvise in the months before a deadline.
Key Facts
- Allocation for Romania: nearly 600 million EUR
- Donors: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein
- Expected beneficiaries: NGOs, SMEs, large enterprises, universities
- Calendar: Concept Notes by November 14, 2026. First calls, realistically, in 2027
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