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Illustration - Scientists from the Czech Republic and Norway are working together on an innovative project to use hydrogen on Czech railways

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Scientists from the Czech Republic and Norway are working together on an innovative project to use hydrogen on Czech railways

A research project called RegioHyt has brought together Czech and Norwegian scientists in an ambitious effort to utilize hydrogen as a fuel for Czech railways. This innovative consortium was formed by the Norwegian research institute SINTEF and Czech organizations including ÚJV Řež, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, the Railway Research Institute, the Czech Hydrogen Technology Platform, the Transport Research Centre, and the Czech Railway Administration. Supported by EEA Grants through the Research Programme (KAPPA), the project commenced in 2021 with the primary task of assessing the potential for deploying hydrogen-powered trains on Czech railways.

Illustration - proFem's journey of change in the Czech Republic

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proFem's journey of change in the Czech Republic

In connection with the EEA and Norway Grants Annual Meeting in the Czech Republic, we seize the opportunity to spotlight proFem, a beacon of hope and transformation in addressing violence against women. Last week's visit coincides with a crucial time when the European Union's recent ratification of the Istanbul Convention and UN Women's 'Orange the World' campaign bring into sharp focus the importance of combating gender-based violence.

EEA AND NORWAY GRANTS

The EEA and Norway Grants represent the contribution of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to reducing economic and social disparities and to strengthening bilateral relations with 15 EU countries in Central and Southern Europe and the Baltics.

The Czech Republic has been a recipient of this financial support since 2004 when we joined the European Union and therefore the European Economic Area (EEA) as well.

Since 2004 the EEA and Norway Funds have supported a number of interesting projects for more than CZK 6 billion in the Czech Republic. Currently the Czech Republic is the fifth biggest recipient after Poland, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria.

The Memoranda of Understanding for a current third programming period of the EEA and Norway Grants were officially signed at the Anežský klášter premises in Prague on 4th September 2017. The Czech Republic will receive EUR 184.5 million (approximately CZK 5 billion) in the new period. Supported will be projects focusing primarily on research and innovation, environmental protection, cultural heritage and cultural cooperation, public health, education and cooperation in justice. Great emphasis is given on human rights, the inclusion of Roma and the development of civil society.

The new period also offers great opportunities for bilateral projects and activities.

Financial Mechanism Office is the secretariat of the EEA and Norway Grants for all beneficiary countries.

Would you like to know more? Watch our video...

As a result of the Covid 19 pandemic, the following measures were taken by donors and the EEA and Norway Grants: most meetings, evaluation panels and workshops were moved to the virtual sphere. In order to mitigate possible complications arising from government measures, call deadlines were extended and project advances were increased. Projects were allowed to postpone the project start date and extend the project implementation period (up to a maximum of 30 April 2024). In most programmes, projects were also allowed to use project funds to purchase equipment for the implementation of online activities (e.g. communication and transmission equipment, videoconferencing equipment) and the associated revision of the project budget.