Communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs No 20 / 2026 Coll.
Communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism for the period 2021-2028 between the Czech Republic and the Kingdom of Norway
Valid
International Treaty
Effective from 05.11.2025
Text versions:
16.02.2026
20
Communication
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
on the negotiation of the Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism for the period 2021-2028 between the Czech Republic and the Kingdom of Norway
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces that on 4 November 2025 the Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the Financial Mechanism of Norway for the period 2021-2028 between the Czech Republic and the Kingdom of Norway was signed in Prague.
The Memorandum entered into force on 5 November 2025 pursuant to Article 13 thereof.
The English version of the Memorandum and its translation into the Czech language are announced simultaneously.
Minister:
v z. Mgr. Šlais v. r.
Head of Legal and Consular Section
Příloha č. 1
Annex No 1
Translation of international contract into Czech language
Memorandum on Understanding on Implementation of the Financial Mechanism of Norway For the period 2021-2028
between
Czech Republic
hereinafter referred to as the "Receiving State"
and
The Kingdom of Norway
hereinafter referred to as "Norway"
hereinafter jointly referred to as "the Parties',
WHEREAS the Agreement between the Kingdom of Norway and the European Union on the Norwegian Financial Mechanism for the period May 2021 - April 2028 establishes a financing mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the "Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 ') to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area;
WHEREAS the aim of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 is to strengthen relations between Norway and the Accepting State for the mutual benefit of their citizens;
WHEREAS strengthening cooperation between Norway and the Receiving State will contribute to ensuring a stable, peaceful and prosperous Europe based on good governance, democratic institutions, the rule of law, respect for human rights and sustainable development;
WHEREAS the Parties agree to establish a framework for cooperation to ensure the effective implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028;
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
Objectives
(1) The overall objectives of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 shall be to contribute to reducing economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area and to strengthen bilateral relations between Norway and the Receiving States through financial contributions to support the thematic priorities referred to in paragraph 2. Accordingly, the Parties to this Memorandum of Understanding shall select programmes to contribute to the achievement of these objectives.
2. Financial contributions will be made available to support the following thematic priorities:
(a) Europe's green transformation;
(b) democracy, the rule of law and human rights;
(c) social inclusion and resilience.
Article 2
Legal context
This Memorandum of Understanding will be interpreted together with the following documents, which together with this Memorandum of Understanding form the legal framework of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism for May 2021 - April 2028:
(a) the Agreement between the Kingdom of Norway and the European Union on the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021- 2028 ("the Agreement");
(b) Regulation on the implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021- 2028 ("the Regulation"), issued by Norway in accordance with Article 9.4 of the Agreement;
(c) agreements on programmes to be concluded for each programme; and
(d) all guidelines adopted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway (hereinafter referred to as "the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs") in accordance with the Regulation.
Article 3
Financial framework
1. In accordance with Article 2 of the Agreement, the total amount of the financial contribution shall be EUR 1 463 million in annual instalments of EUR 209 million during the period from 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2028 inclusive.
2. In accordance with Article 6 of the Agreement, the beneficiary State shall be granted a total amount of EUR 98 690 736 during the period referred to in paragraph 1.
3. In accordance with Article 9.7 of the Agreement and Article 1.9 of the Regulation, Norway's management costs will be reimbursed on the total amount indicated above. Further provisions for this purpose are laid down in the Regulation. The net allocation to be granted to the beneficiary State shall be EUR 91 782 385.
Article 4
Role and responsibilities
1. Norway shall mobilise funding to support the eligible programmes proposed by the Accepting State and the Accepted State of Norway within the framework of the thematic priorities referred to in Article 3.1 of the Agreement and the programming areas referred to in the Annex to the Agreement. Norway and the Accepting State will cooperate in the preparation of programme proposals defining the scope and planned results for each programme.
2. The beneficiary State shall ensure full co-financing of programmes receiving support from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021- 2028 in accordance with Annex B and the Programme Agreements.
3. The beneficiary State shall ensure an appropriate environment without barriers for the implementation of the Civil Society Fund in the Accepting State and shall refrain from any measures that could prevent the Fund's Intermediaries from exercising their role independently.
4. The Norwegian Ministry of Finance will manage the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 and take decisions on granting financial assistance in accordance with the Regulation.
5. The Office of Financial Mechanisms (hereinafter referred to as "KFM") will assist Norway. KFM will serve as a contact point for the Receiving State for the daily functioning of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028.
Article 5
Determination of organs
The receiving State has authorised the National Contact Point to act on its behalf. The National Contact Point will be responsible overall for achieving the objectives of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 and for implementing the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 in the Receiving State in accordance with the Regulation. In accordance with Article 5.2 of the Regulation, the National Contact Point, the Certification Authority and the Audit Authority are set out in Annex A.
Article 6
Multiannual programming framework
1. In accordance with Article 2.5 of the Regulation, the Parties agree on an implementation framework consisting of the following financial and material parameters:
(a) the list of agreed programmes, the financial contribution from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 and the beneficiary State;
(b) identification of programmes, their objectives / objectives, programme intermediaries, grant amounts and co-financing levels, bilateral aspects as well as any specific interests related to the implementation of programmes;
(c) conditions and / or specific interests at the level of the Receiving State related to target groups, geographical areas or other matters;
(d) identification of programme partners from the Donor States where possible;
(e) identification of international partner organisations where possible; and
(f) identification of pre-defined projects to be included in the relevant programmes.
2. The implementation framework is designed in Annex B.
Article 7
Funds for bilateral relations
In accordance with Article 4.6.1 of the Regulation, The beneficiary State shall allocate funds to strengthen bilateral relations between Norway and the receiving State. The agreed amount is listed in Annex B and is allocated to bilateral relations funds at national and programme level. The National Contact Point shall manage the use of the Bilateral Relations Fund at national level and shall establish a Joint Committee on the Bilateral Fund in accordance with Article 4.9.1 of the Regulation. Programme intermediaries will manage the use of funds for bilateral relations allocated to their programme. For programmes in partnership with the Donor State, decisions on the use of funds for bilateral relations in the Programme will be taken in agreement between the Programme Intermediator and the programme partner (s) of the Donor State.
Article 8
National report
In accordance with Article 2.6 of the Regulation, the National Contact Point must submit annually the National Report on the implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021- 2028 in the Receiving State. The national report shall be submitted to the Norwegian Ministry of Health no later than 10 March of each year.
Article 9
Annual Session
In accordance with Article 2.7 of the Regulation, annual meetings will be held between the National Contact Point of Norway and the National Contact Point. The annual meeting will allow Norway MZV and the National Contact Point to verify progress made during previous reporting periods, discuss risks and agree to take any necessary measures. The annual meeting shall provide a forum for discussion on issues of bilateral interest.
Article 10
Amendments to the Annexes
(1) Annexes A and B may be amended by means of an Exchange of Letters between the Norwegian MZV and the National Contact Point.
2. Cumulative transfers of up to 10% of the total eligible expenditure of the programme may be carried out between programmes without amending the Annexes to this Memorandum of Understanding, provided that the amendment has been approved by the Norwegian Ministry of Education through amendments to the relevant programme agreements.
3. In addition, cost savings and amounts not allocated to projects may be transferred to bilateral relations funds without amendment to the Annexes to this Memorandum of Understanding or Approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, provided that the transfer has been consulted in advance by the Cooperation Committee of the relevant programme. No such transfer of funds from the Programme shall affect the objectives or results of the Programme. The National Contact Point of Norway shall notify such transfers without delay and the National Contact Point of Norway shall update the relevant programme agreements and bilateral funds agreement, if relevant.
4. No transfers made in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 shall affect any specific interests, conditions, objectives or other priorities set out in this Memorandum of Understanding and shall comply with the provisions of the legal framework.
Article 11
Control and access to information
The Office of the Norwegian General Auditor-General and their representatives shall have the right to carry out any technical or financial visits or reviews they consider necessary for the planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes and projects, as well as the use of funds. The beneficiary State shall provide all necessary assistance, information and documentation.
Article 12
Principles of procedure
1. The implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding will be governed in all respects by the Regulation and its subsequent amendments.
2. The objectives of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 will be achieved within the framework of close cooperation between Norway and the Receiving State, while respecting the common values and principles of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of members of minorities. The Parties agree to pay the utmost attention to transparency, accountability and cost-effectiveness, as well as to the principles of good governance, partnership and multi-level governance, sustainable development, gender equality and non-discrimination in all implementation phases of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028.
3. All programmes and activities financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 must comply with these values and principles and refrain from supporting operations that would violate them. Their implementation shall comply with the fundamental rights and obligations enshrined in the relevant instruments and standards.
4. The beneficiary State shall take proactive action to ensure compliance with these values and principles at all levels of implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028.
Article 13
Entry into force
This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force on the day following the date of its last signature.
This Memorandum of Understanding is drawn up in two originals in English.
Signed in Prague on 4 November 2025 Signed in Prague on 4 November 2025 For the Czech Republic For Norway Tomáš Holub v. r. Astrid Bergmål v. r. Deputy Minister of Finance, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
PŘÍLOHA A
Annex A
Management and control structures at national level
1. National Contact Point
The Department of National Coordination of Financial Mechanisms, which is part of the Department of International Relations at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, will act as a National Contact Point. Head of the National Contact Point will be the Director of the Department of International Relations.
The Department of National Coordination of Financial Mechanisms is directly subordinate to the Director of the Department of International Relations. The Department of International Relations, within the European Union section and international relations at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, is directly under the authority of the Head of the European Union section and international relations.
The roles and responsibilities of the National Contact Point are laid down in the Regulation, in particular Article 5.3. In cases where the National Contact Point and the Programme Intermediate are part of the same institution, their respective roles and responsibilities shall be exercised by different departments within the institution to ensure appropriate separation of roles.
2. Certification Body
The Department of EEA / Norwegian FM Certification, which is part of the Department of European Funds at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, will act as a certification body. The Head of the certification body shall be the Director of the European Funds Division.
The Department of EEA / Norwegian FM certification is directly subordinate to the Director of the European Funds. The Department of European Funds, within the European Union section and international relations at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, is directly under the authority of the Head of the European Union section and international relations.
The roles and responsibilities of the Certification Body are laid down in the Regulation, in particular Article 5.4.
The certifying authority shall act at the same time as the body responsible for reporting irregularities pursuant to Article 12.3.1 of the Regulation.
3. Audit Authority
The Department of Audit at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic will act as the Audit Authority. The Head of the Audit Authority shall be the Head of the Audit Body.
The Department of Audit, under the Financial Management and Audit Section, is directly under the authority of the Director-General of the Financial Management and Audit Section.
The roles and responsibilities of the Audit Authority are laid down in the Regulation, in particular in Article 5.5.
The audit authority shall be functionally independent of the National Contact Point and the Certification Authority.
4. Organogram
PŘÍLOHA B
Annex B
Implementation framework
In accordance with Article 2.5 of the Regulation, the Parties to this Memorandum of Understanding have agreed on the implementation framework set out in this Annex.
1. Financial parameters of the implementation framework
Czech Republic Norwegian FM contribution National contribution Programmes 1Green Transit EUR 30 000 000 5 294 118 EUR 2 Research and innovation EUR 17 000 000 Informing and strengthening the status of Roma EUR 15 000 000 EUR 2 647 059 4 Public health25 000 000 EUR 4 411 765 Technical assistance for the Accepting State (Art. 1.10) 1 480 000 EU---Reserve for completion of projects under FM 2014-21 (Art. 1.11) --Funds for bilateral relations at national level (Art. 4.7) EUR 2 702 385 ---Funds for bilateral relations at programme level (Art. 4.10) EUR 600 000 ---Net allocation for the Czech Republic EUR 91 782 385 15 352 942
2. Conditions
---
3.
The amount of funding for the bilateral relations funds for each programme shall be indicated in the relevant programme agreements.
Approved allocation of programmes and bilateral funds includes a contribution from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism for the Czech Republic in connection with the challenges resulting from the invasion of Ukraine, amounting to EUR 5 599 040. In particular, the funding will be provided to support projects under the Research and Innovation and Public Health programmes and the planned use of these funds will be described in the proposals for these Programmes (Concept Notes).
In the framework of the Funds for bilateral relations at national level, funding will be available to promote bilateral cooperation aimed at improving corrective services in line with international and European human rights standards.
Gender equality and digitisation will be integrated into all relevant programming areas. The Programs will describe how this will be achieved.
4. Basic parameters of the implementation framework
The programmes described below will be implemented after the approval of the Norwegian MZV in accordance with Article 6.3 of the Regulation.
A. Green Transit Program Objective of the programme: Acceleration of green transformation towards a more sustainable society. Programme grant: EUR 30 000 000 Co-financing of the programme: EUR 5 294 118 Program intermediary: State Environmental Fund of the CRPartner programme from the Donor State: Norwegian Environment Agency International partner organisation: ---Programme area (s): Green transformation Specific programme conditions: ---Specific programme interest: The programme will focus on biodiversity and ecosystems, focusing on innovative solutions based on nature and nature restoration. When preparing the Programme proposal, the areas of transition to clean energy and the circular economy will be explored. The possibility of a pre-defined carbon capture and storage project (CCS) will be explored when preparing the Programme proposal.
B. Research and innovation programme Objective of the programme: Strengthening excellence in research and research on based innovation, strengthening the foundations for green and digital transformation, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, social inclusion and the ability to resist change. Programme grant: EUR 17 000 000 Co-financing programme3 000 000 International partner organisation: ---Programme area (s): Research and innovation Specific programme conditions: ---Specific programme interest: The programme will include support for social sciences and humanities. The programme will include activities leading to the overcoming of obstacles to the career process of researchers and women researchers. The programme will address the challenges posed by the invasion of Ukraine.
The programme will be implemented together with the Research and Innovation Programme implemented under the EEA Financial Mechanism 2021-2028.
C. Inclusion and strengthening of Roma status Programme objective: More effective inclusion and empowerment of Roma. Programme grant: EUR 15 000 000 Co-financing of the programme: EUR 2 647 059 Intermediate of the programme: Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic Partner of the programme from the Receiving Czech State: Office of the Government of the Czech Republic Program Partner from the Donor State: ---International Partner Institution: European Agency for Fundamental RightsProgramme Area (areas): Informing and strengthening Roma status Specific programme conditions: ---Specific programme interest: The programme will include measures aimed at specific needs and strengthening the position of Roma women and other vulnerable Roma groups. In preparing the draft Programme and preparing the calls, consultations shall be held with the relevant Roma and Prophet stakeholders. The programme will include a call / call for proposals for projects aimed at capacity building for Roma and prophetic civil society organisations and Roma leaders (especially youth). The preparation of the Programme proposal will examine the possibility of promoting improvements in the quality and availability of education, including possible solutions for desegregation and mitigation of anti-cicanism in education. The maximum funding for investment in infrastructure and equipment (tough measures) shall be 50% of the total eligible expenditure of the programme. The possibility of a pre-defined project for setting up the Centre of Roma and Sinti in Prague will be explored in the preparation of the Programme proposal. The possibility of a pre-defined project to support the National Contact Point for Roma will be explored in the preparation of the Programme proposal.
D. Public Health Programme Programme objective: More stable and inclusive public health systems. Programme grant: EUR 25 000 000 Co-financing of the programme: EUR 4 411 765 Program mediator: Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic Program Partner from the Donor State: Norwegian Directorate of Health International partner organisation: ---Programme area (s): Public health Specific programme terms: ---Specific programme interest: The Programme shall focus on mental health with an emphasis on children and women, as well as on persons in vulnerable situations, and on antimicrobial resistance. The programme will address women's health, including the consequences of domestic and gender-based violence. Activities targeting domestic and gender-based violence will include the needs of people in vulnerable situations, including the Roma. Some EUR 3 500 000 will be available to address domestic and gender-based violence. Activities aimed at improving health resistance will be explored in the preparation of the Programme proposal. The maximum funding for investment in infrastructure and equipment (tough measures) shall be 50% of the total eligible expenditure of the programme. In preparation of the Programme proposal, the possibility of implementing a predefined project with a partner (s) from the Donor State to promote antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will be explored. The preparation of the Programme proposal will examine the possibility of implementing a predefined project with a partner (s) from the Donor State in the field of mental health, with an emphasis on children, future and neonated mothers / parents. The possibility of implementing a predefined project (s) with a theme of domestic and gender-based violence will be explored in the preparation of the Programme proposal. The programme will address the challenges posed by the invasion of Ukraine.
Příloha č. 2
Annex No 2
Text of the international contract in the relevant language
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Regulation Information
| Citation | Communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs No 20 / 2026 Coll., on the negotiation of Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the Financial Mechanism of Norway for the period 2021-2028 between the Czech Republic and the Kingdom of Norway |
|---|---|
| Regulation Type | International Treaty |
| Author | - |
| Collection | Code of Laws |
| Date of Promulgation | 16.02.2026 |
|---|---|
| Effective from | 05.11.2025 |
| Effective until | - |
| Status | Valid |
The regulation text is for informational purposes only.
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