The programme is not open for collaboration with Romania and Bulgaria. The subject areas that are given priority will mainly reflect these overall objectives, and will contribute to institutional development and strengthening of subject areas that support these objectives. In the area of economic development the focus will be on public sector economy and management, organisation and management, contributions to developing a regular financial system, developing of smaller enterprises and business administration. Project proposals from subject areas that can be indirectly connected to democratic- and economically sustainable development will be accepted. Possible fields of research and education could include areas such as agriculture, fisheries, marine biology and areas where the Norwegian scientific community can contribute to developing the scientific skills of participating countries within certain interest areas.
Environmental considerations are important.
The programme collaboration is based on institutional co-operation. These institutions should collaborate within the general framework and regulations on which the programme is built. The prioritisations within the programme are built on political priorities from the Norwegian side and needs and priorities from the collaborative countries in South Eastern Europe. International co-ordination is of central importance to all the activities within the South Eastern Europe programme. It is of great importance that international organisations and other countries present in the region are actively used in relation to Norwegian bilateral collaboration with institutions in South Eastern Europe.