How to appeal a decision to Norec

Anyone who has received a formal decision from Norec can appeal.

This includes:

• new applicants who have received a decision on Phase 1 or Phase 2 applications
• applicants with an ongoing agreement with Norec, including decisions about:
  • changes to an existing agreement
  • round application
  • submitted reports

You must submit your appeal within three weeks of receiving the decision from Norec.

If you cannot meet the deadline

In very exceptional cases, you may request an extension.

Please note that extensions are rarely granted and will only be considered when there are strong, documented reasons that make it impossible for you to meet the original deadline.You must send your request before the deadline expires. Include a clear explanation of why you need more time.

Send your request by email to your designated programme adviser.

If you submit your appeal late

Norec may still consider a late appeal, but only in very limited and exceptional cases.

We can only consider your appeal if the delay was beyond your control or if there are strong, documented reasons.

Each case is assessed individually. We cannot guarantee that a late appeal will be processed.

You must submit your appeal in writing.

Send it by email to your designated Norec programme adviser, or by post to the address:

Fjellvegen 9, 6800 Førde.

The appeal letter must be signed, in writing, by a person with signatory rights.

We cannot accept appeals by phone.

What to include in your appeal

You must include:

• which decision you are appealing for — for example the case number as provided in the decision, and the date of the decision. You may also attach a copy of the decision.
• what change you are requesting, and why you believe the decision is wrong.

If you submit your appeal more than three weeks after the decision was made, you must explain why you believe you have appealed within the deadline.

Your appeal must be based on a clear reason why the original decision may be wrong.

Examples of strong grounds

• your application was rejected because a document was said to be missing, even though you submitted it
• your application was rejected as late, but you submitted it before the deadline

Examples of weak grounds

• the application was not submitted using Norec’s required forms (missing information)
• the partnership is not international
• the organisation has a weak financial situation in the relevant years

the application has unclear goals or learning outcomes

1. We assess whether your submission meets the criteria for an appeal, or whether we will provide guidance instead. You will receive confirmation when we have received your submission.
2. Your designated programme adviser reviews and processes your appeal. The final decision is approved by the Head of Section.
3. We will notify you when the appeal process is complete.

Possible outcomes

• We may reject your appeal if it was submitted too late, if you do not have the right to appeal, or if the requirements for a valid appeal are not met.
• We may reverse the decision and uphold your appeal.
• We may uphold the decision and forward your appeal to the appellate authority (the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
• You may withdraw your appeal, in which case we will stop the process.

We will keep you informed, regardless of the outcome.

Appellate authority

• If Norec uphold the decision, your appeal will be forwarded to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is Norec’s appellate authority. The Ministry will make the final decision (cf. Section 28 of the Public Administration Act).
• Filing an appeal does not mean that the Ministry will overturn Norec’s decision.

You can withdraw your appeal by email. Send your request to your designated programme adviser.

We will confirm once your appeal has been withdrawn.

Appeals of Norec’s decisions are governed by the Norwegian Public Administration Act (forvaltningsloven).

Norec’s decisions are considered individual administrative decisions (”enkeltvedtak”) under Section 28 of the Public Administration Act, cf. Section 2.

Norec’s decision to dismiss an application is also regarded as an individual administrative decision under Section 2, third paragraph, and may therefore be appealed against as well.

The deadline for submitting an appeal is three weeks from the date you receive the decision (cf. Section 29 of the Public Administration Act).

Requirements for an appeal

Your appeal must:

1. be submitted to the administrative body that made the decision. If oral appeals are permitted, the administrative body must prepare a written record of the oral appeal
2. be signed by you or your authorised representative, or otherwise authenticated in line with Section 15a
3. clearly state which decision you are appealing, and include the information needed to assess your right to appeal and whether the deadline has been met
4. state what change you are requesting

You should also explain the reasons for your appeal (cf Section 32)

If you have any questions, you can email us at norec@norec.no.

We cannot provide information about processing time or the outcome of your case before the appeal has been fully reviewed.

We will notify you as soon as we have finished processing your appeal.