Practical information for applicants

 

You need to create an account on the Norwegian Environment Agency’s application center to apply for funding. Once connected to this platform, you’ll have full access to your applications and the following process.

Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund uses the Norwegian Environment Agency’s electronic application center to process applications. This platform offers login through “MinID”, which is the common system for all public services in Norway. If you do not have this, follow the link below “I do not have MinID”.

 

The application center is in Norwegian, but you may fill out the application in English if you prefer.

 

Once logged in, you’ll have full access to your applications and reports. You can also fill in the acceptance form, payment requests and project reports through the same system.

Svalbard Poppy. Photo: Heidi Eriksen

Fishery-related activities are probably the largest source of marine litter on Svalbard and the Svalbard beaches. Many garbage disposal projects have been implemented the recent years, several of them with support from Svalbard's environmental protection fund. Photo: Christian Nicolai Bjørke

Guidelines for grant allocation

 

September 20th 2018, the board agreed on the following guidelines for how funds are distributed

 

a) Hourly rates

The fund does not cover wages above NOK 500 /hour. It must be explained what the rates cover for hourly rates above 500. The fund does not cover overhead-rates*

 

b) Equity

It is expected that applicants cover part of the total costs. Full funding will only be given in special cases.

 

c) Energy efficiency (ENØK)

Initiatives to improve energy efficiency will normally only receive funding to cover 15% of total costs, as these initiatives normally result in significant cost reductions for the recipients. Exceptions may be granted in cases when new technologies are tested and the effect on Svalbard is uncertain.

 

d) Environmental certifications

The fund will normally cover a maximum of 50% of total costs in environmental certification-processes, with a limit of NOK 250 000. As a general rule, the fund will only support such processes the first time.

 

e) Information and dissemination projects

Funding to information and dissemination projects are only given if the project is considered to have a distinct value in the dissemination, safeguarding and preservation of environmental or cultural heritage sites on Svalbard. Funding is primarily given to cover collection of data and production costs.

 

f) Courses and conferences

There has to be special reasons for the fund to support courses or conferences.

 

*overhead-rates are defined as expenses that the organization has independently of the project and where the cost hasn’t made a specific contribution to the implementation of the project. This includes costs to cover office rental, meeting rooms, canteen, general administration and office supplies, including PCs.