The overarching goal of Norway’s humanitarian efforts is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and uphold human dignity and human rights in humanitarian crises
Erik Abild
Director of Department for Humanitarian Assistance and Comprehensive Response
Norway invests in a stronger and more effective humanitarian response
A woman in East Bangladesh uses a newly installed hand pump, established with support from the NEAR Change Fund after the 2024 flood. NEAR is a new partner for Norad and receives support for its work to shift power and influence to local actors.
Norway is investing in knowledge and innovation to support reform of the humanitarian sector.
A total of NOK 69 million over three years has been awarded to eight international organisations to help strengthen the efficiency, relevance and sustainability of humanitarian action.
– Guided by Norway’s Humanitarian Strategy, Norad has prioritised organisations that demonstrate strong and active engagement in policy, knowledge and innovation work. These organisations have a clear track record of contributing to a stronger humanitarian sector and meaningful reform, says Erik Abild, Director of Department for Humanitarian Assistance and Comprehensive Response at Norad.
Humanitarian reform is about improving how the humanitarian system functions so that assistance:
- Reaches people faster
- Is more targeted and equitable
- Is better adapted to people’s needs
- Uses resources more efficiently
- Is more accountable and transparent
Strong interest in the call for proposals
The call for proposals received 167 applications, all of which were thoroughly assessed against the published criteria. The selection process was highly competitive to ensure that the final portfolio reflects quality, relevance and strong results.
The annual allocation for policy and knowledge partners is NOK 23 million, totalling NOK 69 million for the period January 2026–January 2029.
A key objective was also to support at least one partner from the Global South working specifically on humanitarian reform, and to prioritise organisations that emphasise participation and representation of people affected by crises.
Organisations receiving funding
NEAR – Network for Empowered Aid Response / African Development Organization
Represents more than 300 local civil society organisations in 44 countries in the Global South. NEAR plays a central role in the Humanitarian Reset, leads the Grand Bargain Community of Practice on Localisation, and has delivered important results in shifting power and influence to local actors.
Support: NOK 4 million per year – new partner
ICVA – International Council of Voluntary Agencies
A global network of 170 NGOs in 160 countries working to improve and strengthen the humanitarian system. ICVA is a leading policy actor with strong global and regional engagement on humanitarian reform, coordination and financing.
Support: NOK 3 million per year
ODI Global – Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) and ALNAP
HPG is a leading actor in research and evidence-based improvement of humanitarian response. ALNAP is a global learning network with more than 100 members, focused on strengthening knowledge and evaluation within the humanitarian sector.
Support: NOK 5 million per year
CALP Network (Cash Learning Partnership)
A network of more than 90 members from NGOs, UN agencies, donors and research institutions working to advance cash-based assistance in crises. CALP has played an important role in establishing cash assistance as a key policy priority and increasing its use in humanitarian response.
Support: NOK 3 million per year
Give Directly
An organisation specialising exclusively in direct cash transfers. Their global response initiative aims to establish an open-access system capable of delivering rapid cash assistance within five days, anywhere in the world.
Support: NOK 2 million per year – new partner
Airbel Impact Lab – International Rescue Committee (IRC)
IRC’s innovation unit, a leading actor in designing, testing and scaling solutions for crisis-affected communities. Airbel is the largest contributor of impact evaluations in the humanitarian sector, with a strong focus on effectiveness and cost-efficiency.
Support: NOK 2 million per year – new partner
Ground Truth Solutions (GTS)
A small but influential organisation dedicated to strengthening accountability to affected populations. GTS develops methods for collecting local perspectives and ensuring these inform decision-makers and core humanitarian processes.
Support: NOK 2 million per year
The New Humanitarian (TNH)
An independent, non-profit news organisation providing on-the-ground reporting and analysis from humanitarian crises. With more than 200 journalists in over 70 countries, TNH covers underreported issues and plays an important watchdog role for the sector—including donors.
Support: NOK 2 million per year
A continued commitment to learning, innovation and participation
Norway’s Humanitarian Strategy emphasises that “our humaritarian efforts must be further developed on the basis of knowledge, lessons learned, innovation, and broad interaction with a wide range of actors and affected groups“.
The newly selected partners will contribute to this effort by advancing reform, strengthening evidence and accountability, and helping ensure that humanitarian action is more effective, equitable and locally driven.