The Syrian crisis is one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time; more than 13 million people are in need of assistance within the country and 5.5 million Syrians have been forced to flee their homes, most of them to neighbouring countries. Nevertheless, the international community has provided only about half the funding requested by the UN and humanitarian organisations in order to meet the huge needs.

Norway is the fifth largest donor country to the humanitarian response in the region, and is well on its way to providing the NOK 10 billion in aid to Syria and its neighbouring countries over a four-year period that was pledged at the donor conference in London in 2016. The generous contributions by the Norwegian people, the business sector and NGOs comes in addition.

‘I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the organisations we work with. Their efforts to alleviate one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises are truly impressive. I also commend the work being done to modernise and improve results, including the use of cash transfers for refugees. In addition, we have strengthened efforts to eliminate gender-based violence,’ Ms Eriksen Søreide said.

Norway’s humanitarian aid is channelled through the UN, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and Norwegian humanitarian organisations. Their humanitarian efforts focus on those who are most in need of assistance and the areas where access is possible. The humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence form the basis for Norway’s humanitarian aid.

Education for children and young people in conflict is a priority for Norway. At least 15 % of Norway’s support in 2017 was allocated to education efforts in Syria and its neighbouring countries.

‘Schools have been bombed, pupils have been killed, and teachers have fled. Support for education is crucial for ensuring that as few children as possible miss out on their schooling, for maintaining a sufficient standard of education, and for ensuring good learning outcomes for pupils in an extremely difficult situation. We must give priority to the children and young people of Syria. They will be the ones responsible for Syria’s future when the war is over,’ Ms Eriksen Søreide said.

Norway is also supporting efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

‘We are providing both economic and political support for the UN Special Envoy for Syria. Norway has allocated funding to promote the inclusion of women and representatives from civil society in peace talks. We believe that an inclusive solution reached through negotiations is the best way to achieve sustainable peace in Syria. The conflict must be brought to an end,’ said Ms Eriksen Søreide.

Norway has provided more than NOK 8.7 billion in assistance to Syria and its neighbouring countries since the conflict started in 2011. Around NOK 2.25 billion has been allocated so far for further efforts in 2018.

Outcomes achieved as a result of Norway’s support in 2017:

• Around 1.2 million Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon received food assistance in the form of cash transfers or food vouchers through the World Food Programme (WFP).

• More than 1.2 million children in Syria and its neighbouring countries received schooling through the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Nearly half of them are girls. Among other things, Norwegian funding was used to renovate schools, train teachers and provide intensive courses for pupils who were not able to attend ordinary schools.

• More than 200 000 people received health services in connection with reproductive health issues and gender-based violence through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). These services included emergency treatment, advice and information.

• Around one million people in Syria were given better access to water and sanitation and facilities through various Norwegian Church Aid programmes.

• More than 150 000 consultations and treatments were delivered in Lebanon by mobile health clinics supported by the Red Cross. The services provided by these clinics include primary health care, midwifery and children’s healthcare, treatment for victims of gender-based violence, and psychosocial treatment for Syrian refugees and vulnerable members of the local community.

• Several thousand farmers and their families increased their food production due to improvements in animal husbandry and the cultivation of wheat, potatoes and vegetables, through various Norwegian People’s Aid programmes.

• Internally displaced persons in Syria and refugees in the neighbouring countries received information and legal assistance from the Norwegian Refugee Council in connection with registration of identification papers and property ownership.

• ( Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Norway )

‘I am pleased that we have reached agreement on the framework for the new funding period for the EEA and Norway Grants to Poland. We look forward to continuing the important work that has been carried out under the previous period, and to strengthening efforts in the areas of business development, research and local development,’ said Minister of EEA and EU Affairs Marit Berger Røsland.

The MoUs cover the funding period 2014-2021, and with total funding amounting to EUR 809.3 million, Poland is still the largest beneficiary country in the grants scheme.

‘The negotiations on the new funding period have at times been challenging. I am particularly pleased that we have secured agreement to continue our strong and independent support for civil society,’ said Ms Berger Røsland.

Under the agreement that has now been reached, the funding for civil society (the Active Citizens’ Fund) will be divided into a national and a regional fund of EUR 30 million and EUR 23 million respectively. Both these funds are to be managed by independent operators who have no links to the authorities, and are to be selected on the basis of open competition.

Opportunities for Norwegian actors

Poland is an important trading partner, and Poles make up the largest group of foreign nationals in Norway.

The EEA and Norway Grants help to strengthen bilateral cooperation in many different sectors, and 13 Norwegian agencies will take part in the development and implementation of the programmes. It is important to further develop and create new networks that can contribute to positive developments, particularly at a time where some developments in Poland are giving cause for concern.

‘Many Norwegian actors can benefit from the opportunities for cooperation that the EEA and Norway Grants provide. In the previous funding period, several Norwegian companies established useful ties with Poland through their project cooperation under the scheme. We hope that even more Norwegian actors will make use of these opportunities in the new funding period,’ said Ms Berger Røsland.

Priority areas

Support for business development and innovation will be significantly strengthened, with a focus on green innovation and blue growth. Innovation Norway will play a key role, not least in the work to engage more Norwegian companies in cooperation projects. Innovation Norway will also run the programme for social dialogue and decent work. One of the projects under the programme will involve cooperation between the Norwegian and Polish labour inspection authorities on combating work-related crime.

Efforts in the justice sector will be continued, with particular emphasis on cooperation in the areas of correctional services and courts administration. Several Norwegian institutions are involved, including the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the Norwegian Courts Administration, and the Norwegian Correctional Service.

High priority will continue to be given to efforts in the area of environment, energy and climate. For example, funding has been allocated to research on carbon capture and storage.

Cultural heritage and cultural exchange will continue to be important in this funding period, and both the Directorate for Cultural Heritage and Arts Council Norway are taking part as partners in various programmes. The cooperation between Norwegian partners and POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews is among the projects that are to be continued.

Facts about the EEA and Norway Grants

• Under the EEA Agreement, Norway is part of the European internal market.
• The EEA Agreement sets out the common goal of working together to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and to strengthen cooperation between European countries.
• Norway contributes to this through the EEA and Norway Grants.
• EUR 2.8 billion is available under the grant scheme for the period 2014-2021, to be distributed among 15 beneficiary countries.
• Norway provides some 98 % of this funding; the remainder is provided by Iceland and Liechtenstein.