Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
Grants for environmental conservation in the USA and developing countries
Grants to civil society organizations in Norway and internationally in thematic areas that include climate change, environment, and energy
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) reports to Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of Norwegian development cooperation is to improve economic, social, and political conditions for the populations of developing countries — with emphasis on the poorest people.
Other government ministries also contribute to the international agenda, most notably Norway’s Ministry of the Environment and International Development.
Among thematic areas defined by Norwegian development cooperation, the two of principal importance in the Terra Viva Grants Directory are climate change and the environment; and energy.
Grant Programs for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Natural Resources
1 — Climate and Forest Initiative. Grants support the fight against global warming in line with the thematic priorities of the Norwegian Climate and Forest Initiative. Funding is to non-profit organizations for pilot activities and methodologies that contribute to REDD (i.e., Reduced Deforestation and Forest Degradation).
Grants are to Norwegian and non-Norwegian conservation organizations; development NGOs; research institutes; and other non-profit organizations and coalitions.
APPLICATION: Norad posts calls for proposals. Each call includes guidelines, application forms, and the application deadline.
2 — International Organizations and Networks. Norad makes grants to international organizations and networks to complement other channels of Norwegian cooperation. Support is for NGOs and networks which work globally or regionally in themes prioritized by the Norwegian government, with an emphasis on organizations that have a strong base in developing countries. Past grants include many that support programs of environment and development.
APPLICATION: Norad posts calls for proposals that include program guidelines, application forms, and the application deadline.
To be eligible for support, organizations must have members from more than two countries. NGOs and research communities based in Norway are not eligible to apply, except as partners.
About International Organizations and Networks, and how to apply
3 — Norwegian Program for Capacity Building in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED). NORHED is a program to build capacity in education and research in low and middle-income developing countries. The sub-programs include one in natural resource management, climate change, and environment.
Eligibility in NORHED extends to accredited higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries in partnership with accredited HEIs in Norway. NORHED gives priority to projects in developing countries that have long-term bilateral collaboration with Norway.
APPLICATION: NORHED operates through competitive calls for proposals. The information includes objectives, eligibility criteria, geographical priorities, budget guidance, application forms, and application deadlines.
About NORHED, and how to apply
4 — Higher Education and Research in Energy and Petroleum (EnPe). The EnPe program aims to strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions within the fields of energy and petroleum in selected partner countries. The program is administered by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NUST).
APPLICATION: NUST posts a description of the EnPe program including guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application procedures and documents. EnPe announces calls for proposals.
About EnPe, and how to apply
5 — Civil Society in Oil for Development. The aim of the Oil for Development Program is to reduce poverty by promoting economically, environmentally, and socially responsible management of petroleum resources.
The program includes a component for civil society participation in the partner countries and in Norway. Themes include environmental protection, among others.
APPLICATION: Priority is for applications from national civil society actors. Applications are also accepted from civil society actors in Norway and internationally.
Norad posts grant guidelines and an application form. There is an annual application deadline.
About Civil Society in Oil for Development, and how to apply
Geographical Distribution of Grant Activities in Developing Countries
The following are important countries for Norwegian development cooperation, classified within the regional geographical framework of the Terra Viva Grants Directory.
Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands: Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam
East Asia: China
South Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Eurasia and Central Asia: Afghanistan
Middle East and North Africa: Iraq, Libya, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Syria
Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Burundi, Dem Rep Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Latin America and Caribbean: Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, Nicaragua
Norad’s website is available in Norwegian and English.
Norway consistently allocates a relatively generous share of its gross national income for official development assistance.
Some of Norway’s diplomatic missions, particularly in its priority countries for bilateral aid, may have budgets to support the projects of local NGOs.
Grant seekers should consult the information at Norway’s Ministry of Environment and International Cooperation. Norway is among the world’s few countries, and perhaps the only one, to directly combine environment and international affairs at the ministerial level. Key programs of interest, e.g., the Climate and Forest Initiative, are shared by the ministries of Environment and International Cooperation in coordination with Foreign Affairs.
Norway’s Center for International Cooperation in Education (SIU) administers programs of cooperation between Norwegian universities with partner institutions in other countries.
The Research Council of Norway administers international collaborative research between Norway and other countries, including countries of the developing world.
Norad offers contact information for its offices in Oslo, and it publishes a staff directory by departments.
Over 50 of Norway’s development NGOs are represented in the Norwegian Forum for Environment and Development (ForUM). ForUM is organized by thematic working groups, including groups for climate and energy; food security; and fresh water and sanitation. ForUM provides general contact information, as well as contact information for each of its thematic groups.
March 2021