New Programme Work-Life Balance and Gender Equality (EEA Grants 2014-2021)

The Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG) was appointed Operator of the new Programme Work-Life Balance and Gender Equality (EEA Grants 2014-2021), with a specific allocation of 6 million Euros, as referred in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 22 may 2017, in Lisbon.
In accordance with the Regulation on the implementation of the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism 2014- 2021 took place three important meetings in Lisbon:
– Kick-off meeting (3rd July): 1st meeting between CIG and the Donor Programme Partner – Equality and Anti-discrimination Ombud – LDO, regarding the partnership: how we can cooperate institutionally and strengthen the bilateral cooperation in order to achieve good results.
– Stakeholder Consultation (4th July): the participants were invited to discuss and share their view points on the following programme areas: PA4. Work-life Balance, PA16. Good Governance, Accountable Institutions, Transparency and PA22- Domestic and Gender-based Violence.
– Follow-up / 1st Cooperation Committee Meeting (5th July): it was defined that, until November 2017, will be drafted the future programme and on September will take place the 2nd Cooperation Committee Meeting organized by the Donor Programme Partner.

Under the EEA Agreement, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are part of the European internal market. The EEA Agreement sets out the common goal of working together to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and strengthen cooperation between European countries. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway contribute to this through the EEA and Norway Grants. For the period 2014-2021, a total contribution of EUR 2.8 billion has been agreed. Portugal will receive EUR 102.7 million of this total.