• Arrange a phone conversation or a video meeting as early as possible to discuss expectations and roles in the project. Be willing to discuss aims, objectives, activities and the budget of the project.
• Apply for bilateral funding to be able to meet before the project application deadline in order to develop the project idea and work out the application together.
• Be prepared to include the Norwegian partner in all stages of project development to get the most value out of their participation in the project. This will also ensure that the partnership is mutually relevant.
• Be prepared to discuss budgetary issues and clarify all possible budget posts. You may use our Rough guide to expenses in Norway as indicative for budgetary purposes.
• Make sure you also clarify with your partner what the documentation requirements will be (invoices in original, copies of receipts, bank transfer documentation, stamps, etc.). In Norway, there are generally fewer requirements for documentation. Many documents which are normally requested abroad (such as bank attestations, employee contracts or payslips) do not exist or are never required in Norway.
• As a rule, an audit report certifying that all expenses are incurred in accordance with the project agreement is sufficient proof of expenditure for your Norwegian project partner. These auditing expenses can be included in the project’s budget.
• Aim for a long-term partnership!
