Norwegian Human Rights Fund
The Norwegian Human Rights Fund was established in 1988 by Norwegian non-governmental organizations to protect and promote human rights internationally. Through The Norwegian Human Rights Fund, the owner organizations want to give financial support to projects in low- and middle income countries where the human rights situation is particularly difficult, either in general or for specific groups of the population. The Fund provides financial support to organizations that are not covered by other Norwegian governmental or non-governmental support schemes. Grants are given to one project at time, and the project must be finalized before a new application can be assessed by the Fund. The Fund aims at answering applications rapidly, to have a quick and flexible decision making process on applications. The Fund is financed by gifts as well as contributions from the owner organizations and from the Norwegian government. The Fund is governed by a Board consisting of representatives from the owner organizations. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry and Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation is represented on the Board by an observer. Owner organizations: Amnesty International Norway; Norwegian Centre for Human Rights; Norwegian Church Aid; Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions; Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations; The Atlas Alliance; and Save the Children Norway.
Grants
Grants can be given to organizations and groups in low- and middle income countries where the human rights situation is particularly difficult. 8-10 countries will be given priority, and the following countries are given priority at the moment: Peru, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Uganda, India and Pakistan. Limited support can be given to projects from other countries.
Grants can be given to human rights organizations working locally, nationally and/or regionally to promote and protect human rights, both economic, civil, cultural, political, and social.
Grants cannot be given to international organizations or organizations based in high-income countries. This also applies if the project applied for is located in a low-income country. Organizations that are compelled to work in exile can be supported in special cases.
Grants cannot be given to projects covered by other Norwegian governmental or non-governmental support schemes.
Grants can be given to projects aiming at one or more of the following objectives: (1) enhancing the political influence of a target group (advocacy), (2) strengthening the knowledge and capacity of the target group to act (empowerment), and (3) improving organizational performance and implementation (capacity building).
The fund seeks to support projects on economic, social and cultural rights on a par with civil and political oriented human rights projects.
Grants are given to one project at time, and the project must be finalized before a new application can be assessed by the NHRF. Support is normally not given to an organization for more than maximum three years. Organizations that have not received support from the NHRF during the last five year can be reconsidered for support. The organizations are encouraged to find other sources of income during the time of support.
The size of the grants is determined by the nature of the project applied for. Maximum grant is US$ 25 000,-.
Applications may be submitted throughout the year. Applications are continuously processed, and urgent matters are given priority.
Reports and audited financial statements showing how the grant was spent must be sent to the Fund within the agreed deadline and meet the requirements spelled out in the contract. Satisfactory reporting is a precondition for repeated support.
For application form and procedures to apply please visit: