Workshop in Bergen
More than 30 experts from 6 countries involved in the development and implementation of EEA/Norway Grants programs and projects in the judicial sector participated in a cross country seminar in Bergen this week.
The seminar was arranged by the Norwegian Courts Administration (NCA) and was attended by representatives from both Ministries of Justice, National Court Administrations, school for judges and other bodies from Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland and Norway.
The purpose of the seminar was to share and discuss the implemented projects and programs during the last 2014-2021 programming period, which ends on April 30, 2025. In addition to discussing the achievements and challenges, we also looked at how we can use the lessons learned from the current period in planning and implementing the next program period. A new 7 year program period is planned to start next year.
The meeting was also attended by a representative from the Council of Europe (CoE). CoE had an active role as International Partner Organisation (IPO) during the current program period. CoE would like to have a bigger role in the next program period and involve more bodies in rule of law strengthening programs.
The meeting was attended also by the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO), the body in charge with secretariat of the EEA and Norway Grants. FMO informed about the progress made to sign agreements with the countries for the new program period. Significant progress has been made, but the dates for starting the work are not clarified yet.
Gunvor Løge, advisor to the Director of the NCA and Court of Appeal Judge in Gulating Court, Wiggo Storhaug Larssen, held presentations on Courts Administration and Courts of Norway. The presentations served as a good basis for discussion and for understanding how many common challenges the participating countries share. The discussions would serve as a good departing point to decide on the future cooperation between Norway and the participating countries.
In addition to the main meeting, a member of the Judicial Council of Bulgaria, together with other representatives from Bulgaria, attended a meeting at the University of Bergen. They were hosted by Professor Ragna Aarli, Professor Eirik Holmøyvik and Professor Magne Strandberg.
Given the productive meetings and the good feedback, similar joint cross-country activities are to be organized in the future.