Norway contributes around 97% of the total funding of the grant programs, being fulfilled since 2004 to reduce inequality among EU member states. Although Norway is not a member of the EU, it has a broad range of responsibilities, as it is part of the European Economic Area (EEA).
The funding of grant programs has been a stumbling block in the relations between the EU and Norway this year. The sides have not yet agreed on the amount of funding, which Norway has to allocate for the next five-year period.
The EU has already asked for "considerable funds" from Norway. Over the past five years, Norway has paid over $1.8 billion to 16 countries, including Poland, Romania and Hungary, which have received a significant amount of funding.