Norwegian Support to Ukraine and Neighbouring Countries

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What does Norwegian aid to Ukraine go towards?

Norway is a long-term partner for Ukraine. Through the Nansen Programme for Ukraine, Norway is contributing vital humanitarian aid, strengthening energy security and reconstruction, supporting democracy, the rule of law and human rights, as well as ensuring there are targeted efforts to combat corruption.

Norway has committed NOK 275 billion to the Nansen Programme until 2030. As of the present date, NOK 45 billion has been allocated to civilian aid.

Areas prioritised by Norwegian aid:

• Reconstruction, development and operational support
• Energy
• Humanitarian aid
• Strengthening the local humanitarian response
• Human rights and governance
• Transversal considerations and risk management
• Support for Moldova

The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine and region from 2022 til 2025:

2025 and 2026 are still preliminary figures. This article will be continuously updated.

Reconstruction, development and operational support

A large part of the support is channelled through international financial institutions that contribute to operational support for the Ukrainian state, the repair of damaged infrastructure and early reconstruction. This enables basic services for the population to be maintained by the government authorities’ own and still well-functioning systems.

Example of support provided

• Norway has contributed NOK 9.06 billion to the World Bank's Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF). The total value of this fund is  USD 2.2 billion.  Norway is the largest of 17 donors. Among other things, this support finances the salaries of public servants, social benefits, energy grid repairs, reconstruction of roads and railways, agriculture, healthcare, education and reforms for better framework conditions for the private sector.

Energy

The energy sector has been hit hard by targeted attacks against civilian infrastructure. Energy is therefore a key focus area in the Norwegian support for the reconstruction efforts. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a key partner for ensuring energy security and functioning infrastructure that supplies electricity and heating to end users. Through the EBRD, Norway has specifically provided support to the state-owned companies Ukrenergo (electricity) and Naftogaz (gas). The EBRD has a long-term partnership with these companies and has contributed to reforms in corporate governance and measures that reduce the risk of corruption. UNDP is an important stakeholder in accelerating the development of more decentralized gas-powered electricity supply. Norway is also supporting Energy Community by purchasing critical equipment for rebuilding damaged energy infrastructure.

Results of Norwegian support (2023-2025)

• Through ongoing repairs to the power grid, in projects we support at least 1.5 million people are expected to have a more stable power supply. Norway has contributed NOK 4.6 billion to the purchase of gas, which is important for producing energy, as well as for heating and cooking. The support provided in 2025 alone will be able to secure the supply of gas to 1 million households.
• Norway has provided a total of NOK 11.4 billion in support to the energy sector. This support has been channelled through UNDP, World Bank, Energy Community, EBRD and Nefco.

Humanitarian aid

Norwegian humanitarian aid protects the civilian population. This includes internally displaced people, people living near the front lines and those returning to liberated areas. Efforts include providing shelter, food, water and sanitation, rehabilitating civilian infrastructure, education, health services, including mental health and sexual and reproductive health, and protection against sexual and gender-based violence. Demining is a key area that makes it possible for local communities to move around safely and to utilise agricultural land. Cash support is an important tool that provides families with the flexibility to meet acute needs, especially during the winter months.

Results of Norwegian support (2023-2024)

• 3,000,000 people have received food or cash assistance.
• 5,800,000 people, particularly those in frontline areas, have received access to clean water and sanitation services.
• 2,000,000 people have received medical assistance.
• 3,144,670 m² has been cleared of mines by Norwegian People's Aid and the HALO Trust (Hazardous Area Life-support Organization).

Strengthening the local humanitarian response

Ukraine has strong national institutions and an active civil society, which enables there to be more locally based response efforts than is the case in many other crises. Norwegian support is provided through the United Nations, including the Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund (UHF), Red Cross Movement, as well as Norwegian and other international organisations. With NOK 5.84 billion in humanitarian support in 2023 and 2024, Norway was among the largest donors to Ukraine and the refugee response in neighbouring countries.

Through UHF, USD 181 million was allocated in 2023 and USD 163 million was allocated in 2024, of which over 50 per cent passed through more than 300 local partners in nearly every county. With contributions of more than NOK 400 million in 2023 and 2024, Norway was among the largest donors to the fund. Medical evacuation of patients (MEDEVAC) and material assistance through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) are important additional services.

Human rights and governance

Norway supports democracy, rule of law and human rights through multilateral stakeholders and Ukrainian civil society. These efforts strengthen reforms within decentralization, transparency, accountability and integrity in public administration and support Ukraine's ambitions for European integration. Norway also supports making Russia accountable for their warfare through the identification, documentation, investigation and prosecution of possible war crimes and human rights violations, as well as efforts to account for a large number of missing persons.

Women are underrepresented in public institutions and decision-making processes in Ukraine. Norway supports measures that strengthen the rights of girls and women and their participation and position in society. Norway also supports the training of police and emergency services to assist civilians impacted by conflict-related sexual violence. Enhancing the capacity to protect the rights of other marginalized groups, such as people with war injuries, mental injuries and disabilities, internally displaced persons and children, is part of these efforts.

The results

• Norway supports the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine (2023-2026) for reforms in areas such as the judiciary, press freedom and institution building.
• Norway funds the OECD's Ukraine Country Programme, UNODC and World Bank in their work on anti-corruption and financial transparency.
• Through the support scheme for civil society, Norway provides funding to Ukrainian civil society organisations that work with relief work, democracy, journalism, human rights and anti-corruption, and that reach marginalized and particularly vulnerable groups.

Transversal considerations and risk management

Human rights, women's rights and gender equality, anti-corruption, climate and the environment are transversal considerations in all Norwegian aid provided to Ukraine. Providing aid in a country that is at war is a high-risk endeavour, which means that robust risk assessments and follow-up are crucial. These efforts need to reduce vulnerabilities, not reinforce them. Effectively combating corruption is a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable results and for Ukraine's European integration, and is strengthened through cooperation with, among others, the OECD, UNODC and World Bank.

Support for Moldova

The ripple effects of the war have impacted neighbouring countries. Moldova has taken in close to 140,000 refugees and is working to reduce its dependence on Russian gas. Norway provides support to Moldova in the form of humanitarian aid, energy security and energy efficiency initiatives, strengthening the education system and support for reforms, fair elections and free press.

Read more: The Nansen Support Programme for Moldova from 2022 til 2025

Development in support 2023-2024

The Nansen Programme has stepped up its efforts across sectors. During this period, significant funds have been allocated to humanitarian aid, energy, operational and budget support, as well as increased support for human rights and the private sector.
For example, in 2024 approximately NOK 3.0 billion was allocated to humanitarian aid, NOK 2.25 billion to energy and NOK 3.63 billion to operational and budget support. In addition to humanitarian aid, NOK 180 million was provided to support human rights, NOK 503 million for the private sector, and NOK 350 million for Moldova.

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