Norad – Partnering with the private sector on sustainable development

• Renewable Energy and Fair Energy Transition 
  Norad supports both large scale and smaller projects in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, with a focus on off-grid solutions to increase energy access in vulnerable areas. 
• Climate, Environment, Forest, and Ocean 
  Norad funds projects that protect forests, reduce carbon emissions, and promote climate adaptation. Our work in ocean and blue economy sectors creates sustainable jobs and strengthens efforts to reduce marine pollution and increase plastic recycling. 
• Food Security and Agriculture 
  Norad supports the agricultural value chain to promote food security, with a special focus on improving access to financing for small-scale farmers and smaller players in the processing value chain. The FASA financing platform is established to reduce financial risk for private investors and increase capital to small and medium-sized African agribusinesses. 
• Early-Stage Growth Companies and Technology 
  Norad supports early-stage company growth to foster sustainable job creation and economic development through incubators, accelerators, and technology initiatives. We facilitate innovative financing, including first-loss facilities with local banks to increase access to credit. 
• Framework Conditions, Labor Market, and Capital Mobilization 
  Through partnerships with institutions such as the World Bank, UNDP, and the African Development Bank, we strengthen business frameworks in our partner countries. In collaboration with NHO (Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise) and LO (Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions), we promote an inclusive labor market and tripartite cooperation. We also provide support to investment funds and financial institutions in the form of "first-loss facilities" and technical assistance facilities. 

Funding Opportunities and Support Schemes 

Norad offers several grant schemes and financing tools to support sustainable investments: 

• Enterprise Development for Renewable Energy: Companies in renewable energy can apply for co-financing for early-stage activities, including feasibility studies, training, and risk or guarantee premiums. 
• Infrastructure Support: Norad in some instances covers costs associated with infrastructure that triggers investment in renewable facilities, such as access roads and transmission lines.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Norad supports the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa through incubator/accelerator programs and increased access to loans through banks and other financial institutions. 
• State Guarantees: For larger energy initiatives in low- and middle-income countries (announced in November 2024). 
• Strategic Value Chain Partnerships: Partnerships for companies and alliances in food, ocean, climate, and technology. New calls for proposals will be available in 2025, with frameworks and thematic areas announced in spring 2025. 

Are you interested?

Is your company interested in a partnership with Norad? Send us a brief description of your initiative with planned investments and partners. Please note that all grants are awarded through open, competitive calls. 

Upcoming Announcements 

• Energy grant call (date to be announced) 
• Subsidy for guarantee premium in renewable energy (date to be announced) 
• Calls for strategic value chain partnerships in 2025 
• Guarantees for renewable energy investments in developing countries, November 15

Contact Us 

For more information on partnership opportunities, contact us at:  privatesector@norad.no 

Thematic Area Contacts: 

• Mats Boesen – Private Sector Partnerships and Investor Communities 
• Mehraz Rafat – Early-Stage Companies, Incubators, and Technology 
• Paul Wade – Framework Conditions; Investment Funds 
• Silje Anonsen – Ocean and Marine Pollution 
• Halvor Heggenes – Renewable Energy 
• Anders Aabo – Food and Agriculture 
• Lauren/Lars – Climate and Climate Adaptation 
• Ellen Ebeltoft – Guarantee Scheme