About the West Norway Region
Population: 882.612 (2014)
Area: 49.204 km2
Population Density (inh/km2): 17,9
GDP per capita: 216 % (of EU28)
West Norway is a coastal region, located in the South-West of Norway. The main industries of the region are petroleum/oil-related industry, fishery, maritime affairs such as shipbuilding and offshore shipping, metal production and farming. The dramatic landscape of the region and its historical heritage also makes western Norway a popular tourist destination, making tourism an important activity for both urban and rural parts of the region. Bergen, with its 274.000 inhabitants, is the largest city and the regional capital. The city hosts several recognized educational institutions, and is the regional center for research and higher education. There are also several smaller regional research and educational centers throughout the region.
About West Norway Office
West Norway Office is one of the six Norwegian regional offices located in Brussels. Our vision is to be an efficient, accessible, visible and useful tool to promote our members’ interests and to define West Norway as a region with strong economical and cultural ties.
West Norway Office JSC, is owned by the West Norway Office Foundation, which currently has 20 members. The members are mostly municipalities (Austevoll, Austrheim, Balestrand, Bergen, Eidfjord, Fedje, Fjaler, Gloppen, Haram, Høyanger, Jølster, Kvam, Samnanger, Voss and Øygarden), but there are also three county councils (Hordaland, Sogn & Fjordane og Møre & Romsdal), a power company (BKK) and a lobby office for oil and gas (Botnaneset Industriselskap AS).
Our office is located in the Norway House, situated opposite the European Commission and close to other EU institutions in the centre of Brussels. As the name suggests, we share our building with several other Norwegian establishments, such as the Norwegian mission to the EU and the Norwegian Embassy in Belgium.
Contact:
Director: Merete Mikkelsen
Address: Rue Archimède 17, 1000 Brussels
Closest metro station: Schuman
Phone: 0032 2 2850000
Fax: 0032 2 2850002
E-mail: merete.mikkelsen@west-norway.no
European Affairs Adviser: Maria Erdal Askim
Address: Rue Archimède 17, 1000 Brussels
Closest metro station: Schuman
Phone: 0032 2 2850000
Fax: 0032 2 2850002
E-mail: maria.askim@west-norway.no
Our services
Information
Through our presence in Brussels, we pick up on relevant information to share with the region. We publish our own monthly e-newsletter, where we shed light on EU news and policies that can have an impact on our region and Norway in general. Additionally, we respond to a wide range of questions from the public.
Transferring knowledge
Good understanding of EU issues is important for the development of our region, and is why we organize tailored study trips to Brussels for groups from our region. We also participate in seminars and lectures in Norway.
Project experience
West Norway Office is devoted to raise awareness about opportunities in the region regarding EU funded programs and projects. In order to increase regional participation in EU projects, we provide people with all the necessary information regarding upcoming deadlines, new programs, partner search, etc.
Network
We can organize meetings with EU institutions and other organizations that people from our region are interested in meeting. We also collaborate closely with international and Norwegian networks in Brussels where we promote regional interests.