This Fund Operator Manual applies to the EEA Civil Society Fund funded by the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms 2021-2028 (referred to as the EEA and Norway Grants, or as ‘the Grants’) and implemented by Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States.
The aim and purpose of the Manual is to provide support and guidance to Fund Operators on the background, preparation, implementation, and completion of the EEA Civil Society Fund programmes.
For the support and guidance to remain relevant, the Manual is meant to be a living document updated during the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms 2021-2028. The current version has been written to provide key information for the bidders for the role of the Fund Operator. As such, the focus of the current version is on the background for the EEA Civil Society Fund and on the programme preparation phase. Support and guidance on the programme implementation phase and the programme completion phase will follow.
The Fund Operator Manual is provided for information purposes only and does not form part of the legal framework governing the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms 2021-2028.
The guidance in this Manual is not intended to replace the consultation of the Programme Implementation Agreement where appropriate. In case of any inconsistency in the present text with the Programme Implementation Agreement, the latter shall prevail.
Further relevant information and definitions is shared in boxes with a blue bar, such as this. Frequently asked questions with answers are shared in boxes with a grey bar, such as this.Tips and relevant examples are shared in boxes with a black bar, such as this.The EEA and Norway Grants information system GrACE The EEA and Norway Grants use an information system called GrACE (Grants Administration and Collaboration Environment). All reporting for the EEA and Norway Grants is done through GrACE. Fund Operators must familiarise themselves with GrACE.