On 22.11.2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, through the Directorate for External Non-Reimbursable Funds, as Programme Operator, organised the closing conference of the Home Affairs Programme financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (NFM 2014 – 2021). 

The conference was attended by representatives of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, representatives of the donor programme partners, namely, the National Police Directorate (POD), Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) and Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), as well as relevant national authorities, such as the Audit Authority (UCAAPI),  representatives of National Contact Point within the Ministry of Investments and European Projects, of Ministry of Finance, of Ministry of Justice, commanders of arms, programme beneficiaries, as well as project implementation team members.

On behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the event was attended by Mr. police quaestor, Geani-Cătălin Nica – Undersecretary of state, Mr. Paul Zai – Counsellor of Internal Affairs minister and on behalf of the Directorate for External Non-Reimbursable Fund, Mrs. police quaestor, Roxana Mihai – director, Mrs. chief commissary, Crina Bratanov – deputy director and representatives of the External Grants Bureau, the unit responsible for the management of the funds from the Norway Grants.   

The speakers, both from the Romanian side as well as from the donor state partners – Mr.  Morten Magnem from POD, Mrs. Hilde Larsen, from UDI and Mrs. Torill Tandberg from DSB, underlined the essential role of the Programme, highlighting the efforts made in the implementation and the achieved results. Also, they thanked the entire team for the involvement and dedication, acknowledging each member’s contribution to the success of this endeavour.

The Norwegian Financial Mechanism (NFM 2014 -2021), also called the „Norway Grants” is a non-reimbursable financing scheme set up after the conclusion of an Agreement between the Kingdome of Norway and the European Union, where Norway takes the responsibility to finance projects meant to contribute to the reduction of the disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and to create a safer environment within the common space of freedom, security and justice, in a more stable, more peaceful and more prosperous Europe, as the main general objective.

The second general objective specific for the Norway Grants is represented by the bilateral component, which has the purpose to enhance the relations between Norway and Romania, establishing a cooperation environment meant to contribute to the development of bilateral relations between the two states, based on mutual knowledge and trust.

Within this event, the main achievements and lessons learned during the management of Home Affairs Programme (PAI) have been presented. The programme started in 2019, comprises 3 financing areas of the NFM 2014 – 2021, 5 predefined projects (PDP) and 2 funds, and the total budget of over 28,2 mil. euro was distributed as follows:

• Area 18 – Asylum and Migration: within this area, the General Inspectorate for Migration (GII) implemented project PDP 1 – the Improvement of the asylum and migration system, amounting 4,76 mil. euro.
• Area 20 – Police cooperation: within this area the General Inspectorate of Romanian Police (GIRP), implemented project PDP 2 – Strengthening National Capacities in the Field of International Police Cooperation and Crime Fighting amounting 8,94 mil. euro and PDP 3 – Integrated Action to Combat Hate Crimes, Especially Those Targeted at Roma Communities, and to Ensure a High Standard of Quality in Police Services, amounting 2,82 mil. euro.
• Area 23 – Disaster Prevention and Preparedness: within this area the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (GIES) and the National Commission for the Control of Nuclear Activities (NCCNA) implemented the projects PDP 4 – Improving disaster risk resilience by enhanced preparedness for search and rescue and bomb removal missions, amounting 6,18 euro and PDP 5 – Enhancement of nuclear safety and security in Romania – Improvement of disaster resilience and preparedness for radiological and nuclear events, amounting 4,93 mil. euro.
• Bilateral relations fund: where units from GIRP, GIES and GII, in partnership with National Criminal Investigation Service, South West Police District, Oslo Police District, Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) and Norwegian Directorate for Immigration (UDI), implemented 14 projects amounting 1,5 mil. euro (the initial amount for this fund was 250.000 euros).
• Management fund: the Directorate for External Non-Reimbursable Funds, as PO designated unit responsible for the management of the Home Affairs Programme implemented the project Providing the administrative capacity of the Programme Operator, amounting 500.000 euros.

 

The specific objectives of the programme comprise elements relevant for competence area of project promotors, as follows:

• strengthening cooperation between law enforcement authorities in Romania and Norway, as well as between Romania and neighbouring countries;
• developing the mutual exchange of information and good practices, by organizing joint missions and training sessions;
• acquiring common knowledge regarding the specifics of criminal behaviour and developing effective methods to combat crime;
• decrease in the number of crimes committed by Romanian citizens in the European space;
• reducing cross-border criminality and organized crime, distructuring criminal networks and making the fight against itinerant criminal groups more efficient;
• reducing trafficking in human beings, degrading treatment and exploitation (including sexual and minors), begging, prostitution and transnational criminality involving Romanian citizens;
• improving the response of national authorities in case of natural or man-made disasters (search and rescue missions in situations of floods, earthquakes, landslides, etc.), including in case of nuclear incidents;
• improving the institutional capacity of the Romanian authorities in the field of asylum and migration management.

 

We underline the fact that 15% of the total budget of the Programme was intended to improve the situation of Roma communities, including measures to prevent and combat criminal behaviour, social integration, as well as combat discrimination within these types of communities.

Funding was provided by Norwegian contribution of 85% and national co-financing of 15%, using a 100% pre-financing system, which reduced pressure on the state budget, but required more rigorous implementation with tighter timetables strict and precise forecasts.

 

Among the main achievements of the projects, we can mention:

• support missions of Romanian officers in Norway, consisting of joint operative missions, carried out by Norwegian and Romanian police officers, in mixed teams;
• modernization of the AFIS system;
• the establishment, within the GIRP, of the unit to combat hate crimes;
• purchases of operative technique, IT&C equipment, specialized means of mobility;
• establishment of 2 Integration Centres for the management of massive influxes of immigrants;
• renovations and building of spaces and training grounds, training facilities, modernization of accommodation spaces for migrants, support services;
• building and equipping the NCCNA Information and Training Centre;
• joint specialist training sessions with partners from Norway, the EU or other countries, exchanges of experience and best practices;
• information and awareness campaigns on asylum-migration, human trafficking, discrimination.

 

The closure of this financial mechanism paves the way for new forms of partnership between Norway and Romania, aiming at the continuation of support within the future programs of the European Economic Area.

• Event photos
• Press Release