The project is implemented with the financial support of 190 340 EUR under the Programme “Environmental Protection and Climate Change”, funded by the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA FM) and co-financed by the Bulgarian State.

The programme aims to improve the environmental status of ecosystems and reduce the effects of pollution and other human activities and to contribute to the overall objectives of the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 – reducing economic and social disparities in the EEA countries and strengthening bilateral relations between donor countries – Iceland, The Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Bulgaria.

More information at: www.ееаgrants.org, www.eeagrants.bg.

The Environmental Protection and Climate Change Programme is funded (85%) by the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism (EEA Financial Mechanism) and co-financed (15%) by the Bulgarian State. The Programme Operator for the Programme “Environmental Protection and Climate Change 2014-2021” is the Ministry of Environment and Water of the Republic of Bulgaria, through the Directorate for EU Coordination and International Cooperation.

“We are working together for a greener, more competitive and more inclusive Europe” is the motto of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism (EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021).

The EEA Financial Mechanism includes the contributions of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to building a greener, more competitive and more inclusive Europe. It has two main objectives: to reduce social and economic inequalities in Europe and to strengthen bilateral ties between donor countries and the 15 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic region. The three donor countries work closely with the EU under the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement. Donors have provided €3.3 billion through successive grant schemes over time from 1994 to 2014. For the period 2014-2021, the funding amounts to €1.55 billion.

The priorities for the period  2014-2021 are:

• Innovation, research, education and competitiveness
• Social inclusion, youth employment and poverty reduction
• Environment, energy, climate change and low carbon economy
• Culture, civil society, good governance and fundamental rights
• Justice and home affairs

The EEA Funds are jointly financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, with each country’s financial contribution matching its GDP. The eligibility criteria for funding under the MMF mirror those for funding under the EU Cohesion Fund , with funds allocated to countries where GNP (Gross National Product) is below 90% of the EU average.