For Norwegian entities

In addition to working as partners, you can also participate in study visits, experience exchange meetings, conferences and seminars to strengthen bilateral relations between Norway and the beneficiary countries.

You can cooperate with a partner from a beneficiary country in the following areas:

Democratic values, civic engagement, information integrity and media literacy.
Civil society participation in democratic processes.
Human rights, anti-discrimination, and social justice.
Gender equality, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, and LGBTIQ+ rights.
Climate action, environmental protection, and a just green transition.
Organisational development and an enabling environment for civil society.

More specific topics for cooperation are defined by the fund operators of the Civil Society Fund in each beneficiary country.

Norwegian organisations may benefit from the Civil Society Fund via two measures:

Project support – projects where a partnership with Norwegian organisations is encouraged. Funds are made available through open calls launched in each beneficiary country. Projects can run over several years.
Bilateral initiatives – short initiatives promoting exchange of experience through in-person meetings, conferences, workshops, study visits and partnership development. Funds are made available through open calls. Contrarily to project support, Norwegian entities can take the initiative and apply directly to the Fund Operator.

Tips and advice for establishing partnerships

How to go about?

• To become involved in the Civil Society Fund, you will need a partner from one of the beneficiary countries. The partner organisation from the beneficiary country acts as the lead applicant for a project, taking full responsibility for the application, project implementation, and management. For smaller, bilateral initiative projects, it is possible for Norwegian entities to apply directly, although a local partner in the beneficiary country is still required.

• Organisations in the beneficiary countries are encouraged to involve Norwegian partners in Civil Society Fund projects to foster good bilateral relations and ensure mutual learning. If you are interested in cooperating under the Civil Society Fund, please sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on open calls.

• If you are looking for a partner in one of the beneficiary countries, we recommend that you start with a search in our Civil Society Fund database for organisations. Here you can search for possible partner organisations or register your own organisation as open for cooperation. Registration is free and voluntary, and we recommend it. Your future partner may contact you!

• You can contact us for tips and suggestions we may have on a particular beneficiary country.

• You can also contact the Norwegian embassies in the beneficiary countries you are interested in for advice.

• Sign up to our newsletter and receive information about launching events, matchmaking seminars and other relevant Civil Society Fund events where you can network and meet potential partners.

What is the application process?

• The application procedures can vary from country to country, but it is the lead applicant that is responsible for writing and sending the project application. We encourage you, as a Norwegian partner, to be involved in the project development process from the beginning to ensure that the activities are relevant to you and that your expenses will be included in the budget and covered.

• Feel free to use our Rough guide to expenses in Norway as indicative for budgetary purposes.

• Make sure the project agreement is in a language you understand, preferably English. The agreement should clearly state the role and responsibilities of all partners in the project. At this stage 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.). Many countries require more extensive documentation than in Norway.

• As a rule, a report by an independent auditor qualified to carry out statutory audits of accounting documents, certifying that all expenses are incurred in accordance with the agreement, is sufficient proof of expenditure for you as a project partner. Auditing expenses can be included in the project’s budget.

• As a general rule, no co-financing for projects is required. Exceptions may apply, so make sure you check the application requirements thoroughly before submitting an application.

• Apply for bilateral funding where possible to be able to meet with your partner before the project application deadline in order to work out the application together.

Selection procedure

Project applications are evaluated by the designated fund operator in the country, independent experts and a selection committee. The selection criteria may vary from country to country and will be published on the Civil Society Fund country section. The NHC as contact point is not involved in this process.

Why should you cooperate?

We have asked a wide range of organizations from Norway to tell us why they became engaged in cooperation under these funds and what they get out of this cooperation. Check some of the answers here.

For more advice you can access the Partnership Guide created by the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO).