During the EEA grants period, different Programmes were financed in countries such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
The objective of the programme is to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area and to contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and the beneficiary states.
During the period 2014-2021, Estonia received 32,3 million euros as a grant from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, from which 6 million euros was and is implemented directly through environment and climate projects.
Working together for a greener, competitive and inclusive Europe.
Documents
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EEA Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption programme Final evaluation (summary is in English)
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Fact sheet of EEA Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption programme Final evaluation
Programme: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
The programme „Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption“ is implemented in cooperation with the donor Programme partner Norwegian Environment Agency, who manages environmental protection and pollution control. More specifically, the agency’s primary tasks include managing Norwegian nature, reduce greenhouse gas emission and prevent pollution.
The main objective of the Programme is to mitigate climate change and reduce the vulnerability to climate change in Estonia. The programme is being implemented and the outcomes will be achieved through four open calls and one small grant scheme.
As a part of the small grant scheme, the development of local level climate change mitigation and adaption plans were financed. Supported activities through the open calls include measures to reduce invasive species, marine environment activities, framework for circular economy, increase public awareness on climate change and circular economy as well as the implementation of climate change and adaption plans and the activities of circular economy.
The Programme grant is €7 058 824, from which the grant from the donor countries is €6 000 000 and the Estonian co-finance is €1 058 824. From the Program grant, €6 353 000 are provided through open calls for implementing projects.
In addition to the financial contribution, the cooperation with other countries enables to exchange experience and get new knowledge which in turn allows Estonia to improve the socio-economic situation in different areas and to create better conditions for the economic growth.
The open calls are implemented by The Environmental Investment Centre.
More information
Eleri Seer
Financial Departement
Phone: +372 6050298
[email protected]
Krista Tõnisson
Strategy, Analyze and Digital Development Department
Phone: +372 626 0727
[email protected]
General information:
- The Programme Operator: Ministry of the Environment
- Donor Programme Partner: Norwegian Environment Agency
- Implementing Agency: The Foundation Environmental Investments Centre
- Eligible expenditure: €7 058 824, from which the EEA grant for the programme is €6 000 000 and Estonia’s co-finance is €1 058 824
- Eligibility period: 30.04.2024
Open calls
Small grant scheme “Climate change mitigation and adaptation plans”
The purpose of the grant is to contribute to the reflection, setting and achievement of local climate and energy goals.
The awarding of the grant will increase the competence of the local municipalities. Local level awareness in the field of climate and energy and goals will increase, and the quality of decisions and activities related to the living, business and natural environment will improve.
The activities supported under the small grant scheme are:
- involving of climate and energy topics to the local level development documents or the county’s development strategy;
- developing of the local, regional or county level climate and energy plans.
The implementation of the activities must include establishing or updating local level climate and energy objectives and developing or updating a plan for their implementation based on the guidelines prepared by the Ministry of the Environment considering climate and energy objectives set in local level development documents.
Applications for the project grant may be submitted by the bodies registered in the Republic of Estonia:
- a local authority or a body administered by it;
- association of the local authority.
The following organisations registered in Estonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway may serve as project partners for the applicant:
- a local authority or a body administered by it;
- association of the local authorities;
- environmental non-profit NGOs;
- public authorities;
- research institutions and universities within the meaning of the § 3 of Estonian Research and Development Act.
Documents
Overall budget of the open call is 400 000 euros. Project grant to be awarded to a single project falls between 5000 – 50 000 euros.
The maximum grant rate is 90% of the eligible costs.
Submission of applications is open from February 26, 2021 until April 26, 2021 at 17:00 (local time).
Online workshop for applicants and partners is being held on the 10 of March at 10 am.
The grant scheme is managed by Environmental Investment Centre.
For more information regarding the small grant scheme and the online workshop, please see here.
Open call I - Ecosystem resilience increased
The results of the grant is to progress towards the favourable/good status of native species and habitats, increased resilience of ecosystems to the pressures of climate change and alien species, and mitigation measures implemented to avoid further spread of alien species.
The awarding of the grant will increase the competence of the officials and raise public awareness of the spread and impacts of alien species, control of invasive alien species, this grant will also improve the quality of environmental decisions undertaken by Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Board, Environmental Agency and local governments.
The activities supported under the open call
Nature conservation activities (call text 6.1):
- the preparation of pathway analysis of invasive alien species (call text 6.1.1);
- research and development of control options and methods that take into account the specificities of species and locations, practical control work based on this analysis and dissemination of the knowledge and experience gained to the public and stakeholders, including control of invasive alien species in at least 20 sites in Estonia (call text 6.1.2);
- training on practical control of aquatic alien species and more broadly on the problems caused by the aquatic alien species and on the prevention and limiting of the spread of alien species (call text 6.1.3);
Marine environment activities (call text 6.2):
- applied research and analyses to determine the impact of climate change and non-indigenous species onto Estonia’s marine ecosystems and elaboration of relevant assessment methodologies and guidelines (call text 6.2.1):
- identification of valuable marine habitats for carbon sequestration, assessment of their carbon sequestration potential and elaboration and testing of relevant assessment methodology, a pilot project for the restoration or establishment of such habitats and communities;
- assessment of the biological impact of marine non-indigenous species, also developing relevant assessment systems and methodologies, criteria and methodological standards for non-indigenous species;
- analysis and identification of introduction paths of marine invasive species and risk areas, assessment of the invasive non-indigenous species distribution and distribution potential in the marine environment and in the Estonian sea area and proposing mitigation measures.
Maximum number of two applications shall receive the funding from this open call - one application with the highest score in point 6.1 and one in point 6.2. More detailed supported activities and invasive alien species can be found in the final call text.
Applications for the project grant may be submitted by research institutions and universities registered in the Republic of Estonia and who are in compliance with § 3 of the Estonian Research and Development Act.
Project partners may serve as Estonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway local municipalities, universities or research and development institutions following the § 3 of Estonian Research and Development Act.
Documents
Overall budget of the open call is 800 000 euros. Project grant to be awarded to a single project falls between 200 000 – 600 000 euros.
The maximum grant rate is 85% of the eligible costs.
Submission of applications is open from April 9, 2021 until June 9, 2021 at 17:00 (Estoniain time).
Online workshop for applicants and partners is being held on the 19 of April at 13 pm.
The grant scheme is managed by Environmental Investment Centre.
For more information regarding the open call and the online workshop, please see here.
Short videos about projects supported by EEA Grants
In two aquatic invasive species projects, the pathways of invasive species were studied, and the potential for these species to spread in our climate was analyzed. A short video also demonstrates how invasive crayfish populations were controlled in freshwater bodies, how aquatic invasive species affect our environment, and what each person can do to prevent their spread to another body of water.
Interesting facts about the freshwater project:
- Controlling invasive crayfish species is crucial for the sustainable management of our native crayfish populations and ensuring their long-term survival.
- The project tested an innovative eDNA method with help of Norwein partner, which allows for the detection of species in a water body using only a water sample.
- A biocontrol method for invasive crayfish was developed—European eels were introduced to consume small alien crayfish that are too small for entering to traps or nets.
Useful facts about the marine invasive species project:
- It is not possible to control invasive species in the marine environment, but studying their spread is important as they significantly impact various environmental elements in the sea. This must be considered when planning mitigation measures.
- Information about mapped marine invasive species can be found on the PlanWise4Blue web portal (https://gis.sea.ee/pw4b/adrienne/IL_map). Under the human activities layers, it is possible to view locations in the Estonian sea where invasive species have been found. This information is publicly accessible and usable by various stakeholders.
With the support of the European Economic Area Programme, Keila Song Festival Grounds were renovated to withstand the increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves and heavy rainfalls caused by climate change. You won’t find large asphalt areas, dark heat-radiating roofs, or scorched, over-trimmed grass here. Instead, the Keila Song Festival Grounds have been transformed into a holistic solution: permeable surfaces, green roofs on buildings, rainwater collection and recycling for use as utility water (in the venue’s restrooms and for irrigation), and diverse landscaping. The grounds feature various grasslands, including areas of white clover, meadows mowed only 1-2 times a year, and a rain garden with plants suited for wet conditions to absorb stormwater.
Attention has also been given to education and awareness-raising. The festival grounds will include information boards, an outdoor classroom, an "urban child’s pantry" (for growing and introducing berry plants, fruit trees, and edible plants), and a sensory garden with fragrant, medicinal, and ornamental plants.
The festival grounds will offer versatile use, with plans for a skate park, a children’s playground, and an ice rink during winter. Check out the short video to see how all of this fits into one area.
Last updated: 24.07.2025
