Grants
About the grants
Norec plays an important role in Norway’s agenda for international development. Through collaborative work exchanges and the sharing of competence and expertise, Norec supports global partnerships in their efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Norec also helps young professionals to develop expertise in sustainable development through international work-experience.
Funding priorities:
- Innovative ways of developing the partnership and project
- Partnerships that utilise digital platforms to reach their results
- Applicants from within public institutions
- Applicants working in the fields of climate, the environment, and/or marine ecosystems
Activities in the project may include, but are not limited to:
- Exchange of employees or volunteers
- Strengthening of international cooperation through the exchange of competence or experience
- Innovative ways of developing the partnership or the project
- Effective use of digital learning platforms for virtual knowledge sharing
- Improved routines for organisational learning and development, including use of alumni networks
- Increased ownership and knowledge of the project and partnership through work with relevant staff
- Strengthened focus on cross-cutting issues in Norwegian international development cooperation: human rights, women’s rights and gender equality, climate and the environment, and anti-corruption.
Application deadlines
Applications will be processed as we receive them.
For projects starting in August 2022, Norec must receive applications by March 1, 2022.
For projects starting in January 2023, Norec must receive applications by August 15, 2022.
Who can apply
Norec supports international partnerships, in and between countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Norway.
We accept applications from:
- Civil society organisations
- Public institutions
- Private sector companies
The applicants must be based in Norway or in one or more of the countries on Norec’s list of partner countries.
To apply, the applicant must:
- be a legal entity
- have the necessary professional and administrative expertise and capacity to implement the project
- have realistic goals and measurable targets for the project
- have established good working relations with organisations that are part of the application. All parties must be involved in the development of the application.
- have a routine for utilizing the capacity of the personnel sent abroad, both before leaving, while abroad and upon return.
Important: New partners must first complete a feasibility study before applying for a collaboration agreement with Norec.

The Application Process
The Norec application process goes step by step: feasibility study – collaboration agreement – exchange.
Feasibility Study
To start a collaborative project, applicants must first complete a feasibility study. This allows partners to become better acquainted and to agree on the objectives for the project. The feasibility study consists of an introductory seminar, supported by Norec, and a partner meeting. During the feasibility study, the partners work together to prepare their application for the exchange project.
Collaboration Agreement
Once the feasibility study has been completed, partners can apply for a collaboration agreement with Norec. The collaboration project usually consists of three rounds of exchange, and runs over the course of several years. In the application, the partnership must state the objectives of the project and show how the partners will work to achieve these goals. All project partnerships have designated program advisors at Norec who will provide guidance and advice through the application process.