Norway Grants

The 'Business Development and Innovation' programme supported innovations in Polish companies in three areas: green industry innovation, welfare technologies, including improving access/quality of life for the elderly, and blue growth, which involves developing companies operating in the maritime or inland water sector. The program also aimed to promote cooperation between Polish companies and Norwegian partners.

The 'Business Development and Innovation' programme was carried out as part of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014–2021 and the EEA (European Economic Area) Financial Mechanism 2014–2021. The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development was the Programme Operator responsible for programme management and implementation, conducting calls for proposals, and granting funds to selected projects. The programme was implemented in partnership with Innovation Norway as the Donor Program Partner. Poland is one of several countries carrying out programs financed by the Norwegian government and the governments of EEA countries.

Norway grants were destined for the development, implementation, and commercialization of innovative technologies, solutions, processes, products (goods and/or services). The collaboration on innovation and exchange of knowledge between Polish and Norwegian companies, research units, and other entities led to greening industrial and maritime companies, as well as green, blue, and welfare product development in the proposed projects. The program involved a call for proposals in three thematic areas, i.e. submitted projects had to be eligible in at least one of the following schemes:

• Green industry innovation – the support aimed at the introduction of innovations in technological solutions to SMEs to increase their competitiveness and value creation with less overall environmental impact.
• Blue growth – dedicated for applicants of projects in blue growth operating in the maritime or inland water sector. The projects supported the development of such enterprises by introducing innovative processes and/or products for maritime and/or inland waters and coasts, including environmental improvement.
• Welfare technologies – these projects focused on developing and launching products that facilitate the functioning of the everyday life of vulnerable social groups, such as the elderly.

In addition, the Small Grants Scheme was available in all three thematic areas for female enterprises.

Project promotors of the programme could be micro, small and medium-sized enterprises operating and implementing projects in Poland, in particular in cooperation with Norwegian entities.

The programme includes activities aiming at strengthening of bilateral relations between Norway and Poland, both at the level of companies and public institutions. In particular, these activities will involve matchmaking events to find partners for joint projects that are in line with the programme.

• Reducing social and economic disparities between Poland and Norway;
• Enhancing economic cooperation between Poland and Norway;
• Stimulating innovation and productivity in Polish companies;
• Creating employment opportunities;
• Reducing environmental footprint caused by companies.