The Norwegian Minister of Justice and Public Security Grete Faremo (in picture, center) arrived today (June 28) in Romania and has taken part in the official launch of the EEA and Norway Grants in the country. The funding amounts to EUR 306 million up until 2016 and will support projects in more than 20 areas, such as the justice and home affairs sector, environmental protection, research, health, culture, civil society and improving the social conditions of the Roma population.

“The grants provide an excellent platform to strengthen our cooperation in many fields, including justice and home affairs,” said Minister Faremo during the launch. Four agreements were signed today for a total of EUR 25 million in funding from the EEA and Norway grants. The amount covers 85 percent of the funding, with the remaining 15 percent provided by the Romanian state.

Romania's Ministry of Justice and Ministry of the Interior will manage the funds allocated to justice and home affairs. These funds will be used in part to support the implementation of new legal codes in Romanian judicial system. Also to receive funding are projects to modernize prison facilities and improve living conditions for inmates. Furthermore, schemes to reduce domestic violence and cooperation projects between Romanian and Norwegian police to fight organized crime are on the funding menu. “Norway Grants are an excellent opportunity for us to develop cooperation and partnership between our countries. The assistance will support the Romanian judicial system in operating more efficiently and transparently, to the benefit of all citizens,” said Romania's Justice Minister Robert - Marius Cazanciuc.

At least 10 percent of the funding for the relevant programs – a minimum of EUR 14 million – will target improving the social conditions of Romania's Roma population. A variety of schemes are promised to tackle the inequality and dire social conditions faced by many of Romania's Roma population.

Through the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, the three EFTA countries – Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein – contribute to social and economic development through the EEA and Norway Grants. The main donor is Norway, which contributes 97 percent of the total funding.

editor@romania-insider.com