Cooperation
We help bring EU-funded projects to the region.
Norway participates in a wide range of EU programmes, including research and education, culture, health, defence and civil preparedness. Norwegian actors from both the public and private sectors can also receive support from various European funding mechanisms, for example those aimed at energy, climate and technology development.
Through EEA and Norway Grants, educational institutions, research environments and municipalities can become partners in projects for green transition, democracy and social inclusion in a number of European countries.
VNB follows relevant announcements, provides advice on application processes, helps find European partners for our members and is a driving force for cooperation on EU/EEA projects in West Norway .
The DNB network
VNB is much more than an office in Brussels. First and foremost, we are a network of central social institutions in Western Norway, collaborating on European projects.
Central to this network is the Resource Group, which, together with the administration in Brussels, coordinates and drives the network work. The Resource Group includes representatives of the members, and in connection with it, professional groups are established with the goal of achieving cooperation and joint applications within specific themes.
From the winter of 2027, a dedicated project advisor at the Brussels office will be tasked with following up on the network and assisting with the realization of such projects.
An overview of the members of the Resource Group can be found here.
Financing and development
When Norway contributes large sums to programs and financing mechanisms linked to the EU and EEA, it is of course a goal that Norwegian society should receive as much as possible in return.
VNB contributes to this, on behalf of the Western Norway region. It is about financing, where EU funds can help to realize important research, industrial and technological development in Western Norway. And about expertise and inspiration, which the region will benefit from through international cooperation and exchange.
We provide members with information about various financing and collaboration opportunities, and advice in the process of getting projects to the region.
Partnership
Norwegian actors who want to apply for EU and EEA projects need partners from other European countries. This involves finding municipalities, regions, universities or businesses that have similar visions, and actors with complementary expertise.
VNB helps find such partners, and communicates requests for partnerships from institutions in other countries to our members.