rektoru padomes sēde, 24.03.2006. norwegian financial mechanism – cooperation possibilities...

Rektoru Padomes sēde, 24.03.2006.

Norwegian Financial Norwegian Financial Mechanism – cooperation Mechanism – cooperation

possibilitiespossibilities

Latvian Rector’s Council,Latvian Rector’s Council,

24.03.2006. 24.03.2006.


AgendaAgenda

1.1. New financial instruments - EEA Financial New financial instruments - EEA Financial Mechanism and Norwegian Financial Mechanism and Norwegian Financial MechanismMechanism

2.2. Types of project assistance and priority Types of project assistance and priority sectorssectors

3.3. Progress and first open callProgress and first open call

4.4. Further steps ?Further steps ?


Under the EEA Enlargement Agreement two new financial Under the EEA Enlargement Agreement two new financial instruments will be available for several EU countries, also instruments will be available for several EU countries, also

for Latvia:for Latvia:

EEA Financial Mechanism (EEA Financial Mechanism (the donors the donors are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) – are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) – 19.74 Mlj Euro19.74 Mlj Euro

Norwegian Financial Mechanism (Norwegian Financial Mechanism (the the Donor is Norway) – 34,02 mlj euroDonor is Norway) – 34,02 mlj euro

The Mechanisms will make commitmentsThe Mechanisms will make commitments

for 5 years period from 1 May 2004 to 30 for 5 years period from 1 May 2004 to 30 April 2009. April 2009.


The total allocated amount for Latvia The total allocated amount for Latvia under the both financial mechanisms under the both financial mechanisms is 51’269’400 EUR, excluding the is 51’269’400 EUR, excluding the management costs (carried out by management costs (carried out by FMO).FMO).

Every year the 1/5 part of the total Every year the 1/5 part of the total allocated amount is available for allocated amount is available for Latvia Latvia


The two financial mechanisms were created The two financial mechanisms were created as part of the EEA Enlargement Agreement.as part of the EEA Enlargement Agreement.

The EEA Agreement entered into force on The EEA Agreement entered into force on 1 January 1994. 1 January 1994.

In order to continue a close co-In order to continue a close co-operation between European operation between European countries in trade area the European countries in trade area the European Economic Area (EEA) was Economic Area (EEA) was established. established.

The EEA 18 became the EEA 28 on 1 The EEA 18 became the EEA 28 on 1 May 2004, when 10 new countries May 2004, when 10 new countries became members of the EU.became members of the EU.


The EEA comprises the 25 EU Member States and The EEA comprises the 25 EU Member States and three EEA EFTA States: Iceland, Liechtenstein three EEA EFTA States: Iceland, Liechtenstein

and Norway.and Norway.

These states participate in an Internal These states participate in an Internal Market in which the same basic rules Market in which the same basic rules apply. apply.

The purposeThe purpose is to enable goods, services, is to enable goods, services, capital, and persons to move unimpeded capital, and persons to move unimpeded throughout the EEA in an open and throughout the EEA in an open and competitive environment, a legal competitive environment, a legal framework referred to as the “four framework referred to as the “four freedoms”.freedoms”.


The purpose is The purpose is

to contribute to the reduction of to contribute to the reduction of social and economic disparities social and economic disparities within the EEAwithin the EEA

to support the new EU member to support the new EU member states in their efforts to states in their efforts to participate fully in the enlarged participate fully in the enlarged internal market. internal market.


The European Free Trade The European Free Trade Association (EFTA)Association (EFTA)

Today the EFTA members are Iceland, Today the EFTA members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

was founded in 1960 to promote free was founded in 1960 to promote free trade as a means of achieving growth trade as a means of achieving growth and prosperity among its Member and prosperity among its Member States, closer economic co-operation States, closer economic co-operation between the Western European between the Western European countries, and the expansion of global countries, and the expansion of global trade. trade.


2. Types of project assistance2. Types of project assistance

IndividualIndividual projectsprojects. Its size is not less than EUR 250 . Its size is not less than EUR 250 000. 000.

Programmes (groups of projects). A coordinated Programmes (groups of projects). A coordinated portfolio of separate projects aimed at achieving portfolio of separate projects aimed at achieving common objectives. common objectives.

Block grants. A fund set up for a clearly defined Block grants. A fund set up for a clearly defined purpose, which may provide assistance to purpose, which may provide assistance to individuals, organizations or institutions. Includes individuals, organizations or institutions. Includes support for NGOs, technical co-operation and support for NGOs, technical co-operation and scholarships. scholarships.

Seed money facility. To facilitate the preparation of Seed money facility. To facilitate the preparation of projects and to support the establishment of new projects and to support the establishment of new partnerships created for the purpose of designing partnerships created for the purpose of designing and implementing new projects.and implementing new projects.


Under the EEA Enlargement Agreement Grants from booth Under the EEA Enlargement Agreement Grants from booth Financial Mechanisms are available for projects in the Financial Mechanisms are available for projects in the

following pfollowing priority riority sectors;sectors;

Protection of the environmentProtection of the environment Promotion of sustainable Promotion of sustainable

developmentdevelopment Conservation of European cultural Conservation of European cultural

heritageheritage Health and childcare;Health and childcare; Human resources development;Human resources development; Academic research works in so far as Academic research works in so far as

they target one or more of the they target one or more of the priority sectors.priority sectors.


Human resources developmentHuman resources development

promotion of education and training,promotion of education and training, strengthening of administrative or public strengthening of administrative or public

service capacities of local government or service capacities of local government or its institutions as well as the democratic its institutions as well as the democratic processes, which support it; processes, which support it;


The Norwegian Financial Mechanism Grants are The Norwegian Financial Mechanism Grants are available for projects in the same sectors as in the available for projects in the same sectors as in the

EEA Financial MechanismEEA Financial Mechanism

Priority will nevertheless be given to projects in Priority will nevertheless be given to projects in the fields of:the fields of:

Implementation of Schengen acquisImplementation of Schengen acquis EnvironmentEnvironment Regional policy and cross-border Regional policy and cross-border

activities; activities; Technical assistance relating to the Technical assistance relating to the

implementation of acquis implementation of acquis communautaire.communautaire.


Latvian national prioritiesLatvian national priorities


3. Progress3. Progress

On December 16, 2005 first On December 16, 2005 first Monitoring and Steering committee Monitoring and Steering committee meetings took place in the Ministry of meetings took place in the Ministry of Finance.Finance.

On December 7, 2005 the Annual On December 7, 2005 the Annual meeting on the implementation of meeting on the implementation of Financial mechanisms in the time Financial mechanisms in the time period from November 2004 till period from November 2004 till November 2005 took place in the November 2005 took place in the Ministry of Finance. Ministry of Finance.


ProgressProgress

Representatives from the Focal Point, Representatives from the Focal Point, FMO from Brussels, Norwegian FMO from Brussels, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Police, Iceland Ministry of Justice and Police, Iceland Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norwegian Embassy in Riga were Norwegian Embassy in Riga were participating in the meeting. participating in the meeting.

During the meeting Annual report of During the meeting Annual report of EEA financial mechanism and Annual EEA financial mechanism and Annual report of Norwegian financial report of Norwegian financial mechanism were approved.mechanism were approved.


ProgressProgress

On November 8, 2005 was held the On November 8, 2005 was held the Cabinet of Ministers meeting, where Cabinet of Ministers meeting, where the Cabinet of Ministers Rules Nr.852 the Cabinet of Ministers Rules Nr.852 ""Rules on Europe Economic Area Rules on Europe Economic Area Financial mechanism’s and Financial mechanism’s and Norwegian Financial mechanism’s Norwegian Financial mechanism’s management, implementation, management, implementation, monitoring, control and evaluation monitoring, control and evaluation systemsystem" were approved. " were approved.


ProgressProgress

Wherewith is possible to start the Wherewith is possible to start the implementation process of these implementation process of these Financial Mechanisms in Latvia. Financial Mechanisms in Latvia.

First open call for Individual project’s First open call for Individual project’s application is planned to be application is planned to be announced early in the year 2006.announced early in the year 2006.


Ideas for cooperationIdeas for cooperation

Qualification framework – learning Qualification framework – learning outcomes ;outcomes ;

Research networks;Research networks; Staff ( both academic and Staff ( both academic and

administrative) upgrading;administrative) upgrading; Mobility ;Mobility ; Methodology of curricula developmentMethodology of curricula development Internal quality cultureInternal quality culture


WE have a lot of ideas!!!WE have a lot of ideas!!!

But how do we manage it?...But how do we manage it?...


Thank you!Thank you!

[email protected]@ba.lv


wwwwww

www.norden.orgwww.norden.org www.eeagrants.lv/indekss.htmwww.eeagrants.lv/indekss.htm


THE STRUCTURE OF HIGHER THE STRUCTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORWAY EDUCATION IN NORWAY

Institutions offering higher educaton Institutions offering higher educaton in Norway may be divided into two in Norway may be divided into two major sectors: the university sector major sectors: the university sector and the college sector: and the college sector:

the university sector the university sector the college sector the college sector


The Council is a coordinating, common body for the four The Council is a coordinating, common body for the four Norwegian universities and six university colleges: Norwegian universities and six university colleges:

University of BergenUniversity of BergenUniversity of Oslo University of Oslo University of Tromsø University of Tromsø Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyAgricultural University of Norway Agricultural University of Norway Oslo School of Architecture Oslo School of Architecture Norwegian School of Economics and Business Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration Administration

Norwegian University of Sport and Physical Norwegian University of Sport and Physical EducationEducation

Norwegian State Academy of Music Norwegian State Academy of Music Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine


The major objectives of the Council The major objectives of the Council are:are:

* to develop strategies for higher * to develop strategies for higher education and research in the education and research in the Norwegian university system Norwegian university system * to improve national coordination in * to improve national coordination in the educational and research sector the educational and research sector * to serve as a common instrument * to serve as a common instrument for the member institutions in their for the member institutions in their international cooperation international cooperation


The Council has an Executive Board The Council has an Executive Board responsible for the joint activities responsible for the joint activities taken care of by the Council and for taken care of by the Council and for recommendations to member recommendations to member institutions and to the government institutions and to the government authorities in matters of common authorities in matters of common concern and interest. concern and interest.


The university sector includes the The university sector includes the universities and the university universities and the university colleges ("vitenskapelige høgskoler") colleges ("vitenskapelige høgskoler")

These institutions carry out research These institutions carry out research and offer university-level instruction and offer university-level instruction at undergraduate and graduate at undergraduate and graduate levels, leading to academic degrees. levels, leading to academic degrees.

There are four universities in Norway There are four universities in Norway There are six university colleges; There are six university colleges;


The college sector The college sector

The college sector The college sector After a reorganisation finalized in August After a reorganisation finalized in August 1994, there are 26 state colleges with 1994, there are 26 state colleges with approximately 72,000 students (1997). approximately 72,000 students (1997). These offer 1-4 year study programmes These offer 1-4 year study programmes leading to qualifications in teaching, leading to qualifications in teaching, engineering, public administration, social engineering, public administration, social work, music, health education, etc. work, music, health education, etc.

In addition there are about 12,000 In addition there are about 12,000 students in private colleges. students in private colleges.

rektoru padomes sēde, 24.03.2006. norwegian financial mechanism – cooperation possibilities...

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