Conference related to EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms in Zadar - 21 December 2023

A Conference and an Annual Meeting related to the implementation of the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms were held in Zadar from 20 to 22 September 2023.

On 21 September 2023, a conference was organised by the National Focal Point. The Ministry of Justice and Public Administration was represented by State Secretary Vedrana Šimundža Nikolić, and the Kingdom of Norway by Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia Arne Sannes Bjørnstad.

The conference highlighted the contribution of the EEA and Norway Grants to reducing social and economic inequality in Europe and strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Croatia. 

The conference participants were briefly presented with the status of the programmes financed in Croatia - Local development and poverty reduction, Energy and climate change, Justice and home affairs, Innovation, research, education and competitiveness, Civil society, Social dialogue and Bilateral cooperation.

Over 100 projects are financed in Croatia with a total of 103 million euros. 

Donors had the opportunity to convince themselves that the funds were spent in the best possible way - on projects aimed at increasing energy efficiency, equipping schools and strengthening the system of primary education in STEM and, in particular, at improving the justice system.

Specifically, the project “Reinforcing the court-annexed mediation system” and its activities were presented at the conference.
 
The participants of the conference expressed their interest in the mediation procedure by asking questions, and it can be concluded that the process of peaceful dispute resolution is of particular importance to both sides - the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration and the Kingdom of Norway.