The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)
NORAD is Norway's government directorate for development cooperation, administering roughly half of the country's 58.9 billion NOK (2025) official development assistance through grants to UN agencies, developing-country governments, and NGOs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersOslo, Norway
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) does
NORAD (The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation) is a Norwegian government directorate established in 1968 and headquartered in Oslo with approximately 320 employees. It operates as the administrative and professional agency for Norwegian development cooperation, supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate and Environment in delivering on Norway's official development assistance (ODA) policy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The agency does not develop or sell commercial products; instead, it manages grants, technical cooperation agreements, and partnerships across thematic areas including humanitarian response, climate and environment, education, health, governance, human rights, gender equality, and the dedicated Nansen Programme for Ukraine.
NORAD's business model is the disbursement of public ODA funds: in 2025 Norway's total development aid reached 58.9 billion NOK (1.03% of GNI), of which NORAD administers approximately half. Funds flow through three principal channels — multilateral organizations (UN agencies, World Bank, EBRD), bilateral agreements with developing-country governments, and grants to Norwegian and international NGOs and civil society organizations via calls for proposals and a Plus Partner model framework. Named partners include UNICEF, WHO, ICRC, the Norwegian Red Cross, the Global Partnership for Education, Education Cannot Wait, ILO, EBRD, and the Government of Brazil, with project portfolios spanning 1,557 supported projects in 2025.
The agency's go-to-market is therefore grant-making rather than sales; its distribution advantage rests on decades-long institutional relationships and Norway's outsized per-capita aid position. NORAD has no disclosed AI, software, or technology product surface, and its operational focus is on quality assurance, results reporting (via the Bistandsresultater.no portal), fraud and corruption controls, and the ongoing modernization of its underlying aid delivery platform.
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)
- Legal name
- Norad - The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
- Website
- https://norad.no
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- NORAD is Norway's government directorate for development cooperation, administering roughly half of the country's 58.9 billion NOK (2025) official development assistance through grants to UN agencies, developing-country governments, and NGOs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Development Cooperation
- NAICS
- Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Country Development Assistance Programs (Bilateral ODA) (BPADABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Official Development Assistance (ODA) Program Management (BPADAOAC), Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery) (BPADAEAA), Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF), Emergency Shelter, NFIs & Winterization for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAG)
Keywords
Where The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oslo
- HQ country
- Norway
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Norwegian Government Development Budget: NORAD receives funding through the Norwegian government's official development assistance (ODA) budget. The agency administers approximately half of Norway's total development aid, which in 2025 amounted to 58.9 billion NOK, representing 1.03 percent of Norway's GNI.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NORAD is a Norwegian government directorate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that administers Norwegian international development aid. The agency manages approximately half of Norway's NOK 58.9 billion development aid budget, channeling grants and technical cooperation to partner governments, NGOs, UN agencies, multilateral organizations, and civil society for poverty reduction, climate action, humanitarian response, education, and human rights initiatives. NORAD also reports to the Ministry of Climate and Environment and administers risk-mitigation instruments such as the State Guarantee Scheme for renewable energy investments in developing countries.
Product overview
NORAD is a Norwegian government directorate for development cooperation, not a product company. It serves as an administrative and professional body supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate and Environment in achieving Norway's development policy goals. NORAD's work encompasses thematic areas including humanitarian assistance, climate/food/environment/energy, education, health, governance, human rights, gender equality, and the Nansen Programme for Ukraine. The organization provides knowledge, analyses, and result stories to engage with global development issues, manages partner relationships and grant schemes, publishes news and publications, and maintains a results statistics portal (Bistandsresultater.no). It does not offer software products, modules, or commercial service offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Grant Funding Programmes (Tilskuddsordninger) Direct grants and funding programmes for partner governments, NGOs, and multilateral organizations working on poverty reduction, climate action, humanitarian response, education, and human rights in developing countries.
- State Guarantee Scheme for Renewable Energy Investments (Statsgarantiordningen) Government-backed guarantee scheme that mitigates commercial and political risk for private investors in renewable energy projects in developing countries.
- Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine Dedicated programme providing funding and coordination for Ukraine-related humanitarian and longer-term development assistance, with its own directorate within NORAD.
- Pluspartnermodellen (Plus Partner Model) Long-term strategic partnership model providing core multi-year funding to selected civil society organizations for sustained development cooperation.
- Corruption Hunter Network Whistleblower and reporting service for corruption cases connected to Norwegian-funded development projects, supporting accountability across funded activities.
- Knowledge Bank (Kunnskapsbanken) Centralized repository of evaluations, research, and evidence-based resources available to partners and the public to inform development programming.
Quantifiable outcome
- 58.9 billion NOK in total Norwegian aid administered in 2025
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- World Health Organization (WHO)core$3 million pledge for WHO's ACTxBEC initiative (Acute Care Transformation through Basic Emergency Care) to train frontline healthcare workers in Africa, targeting 1,000 health facilities with goal to save 50,000 lives annually.
- Corruption Hunter NetworkcoreInternational network of approximately 20 anti-corruption investigators from prosecutorial authorities across 20+ countries, initiated in 2005 by former Minister Hilde Frafjord Johnson and Eva Joly. Led and coordinated by NORAD. Has helped recover billions of kroner for public good.
- International Labour Organization (ILO)coreFour-year partnership (Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work) supporting Ghana shea workers. Norway co-funded with Switzerland to formalize the shea industry, establish trade union (Ghana Shea Workers Union) and employers association, and sign first collective agreement in sector.
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)corePartnership for Red Cross field hospital in Rafah, Gaza. NORAD has provided 97 million NOK since 2023. Hospital operated by ICRC, Palestinian Red Crescent, and 15 national Red Cross/Red Crescent societies. Provides surgical procedures, consultations, and maternity services.
- Norwegian Red CrosscoreFour-year partnership agreement worth 760 million NOK annually for humanitarian work. Norwegian Red Cross plays central role in Gaza field hospital operations.
- Education Cannot WaitcoreMultilateral fund for education in emergencies and crises. Reached approximately 8.3 million children and youth in 33 conflict-affected countries in 2023-2024.
- Global Partnership for Education (GPE)coreInternational partnership supporting education system strengthening in developing countries. Reached 372 million children through improved curricula, classrooms, and teacher training.
- UNICEFcorePartnership for education and humanitarian programs. In 2024, 26 million children gained access to education through cooperation with UNICEF.
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)supportingClimate financing partnership for energy efficiency solutions in emerging markets, including 40 million euro green financing program in Moldova.
- Brazil (Government)coreLong-term support for Brazil's rainforest preservation and indigenous territory protection. Norway supports satellite monitoring, research, law enforcement, and civil society. Kayapó territory (three times size of Belgium) protected through cooperation with FUNAI and IBAMA.
- European UnionsupportingCo-funding partner for EBRD green financing program in Moldova supporting energy efficiency upgrades in residential buildings.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)coreNorway is UNEP's largest donor, contributing approximately $12 million annually. Pause on funding agreements in May 2026 affects UNEP operations ahead of revised budget decision.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID): The largest bilateral development agency, administering U.S. foreign assistance across humanitarian, health, education, and governance programs. Directly comparable mandate and operating model to NORAD, though at materially larger scale.
- Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA): Sweden's bilateral aid agency with comparable Nordic governance model, thematic focus on poverty, climate, and human rights, and similar per-capita aid intensity to NORAD.
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ): Germany's federal agency for international cooperation, implementing bilateral development programs on behalf of the German government. Closely comparable in mandate and partner-driven delivery model.
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO): The UK government department responsible for foreign aid policy and programming. Directly comparable as a bilateral donor with global thematic reach across humanitarian, climate, and governance work.
- Danida (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark): Denmark's bilateral development cooperation arm, with comparable Nordic governance model, focus on green transition, human rights, and humanitarian response.
- Agence Française de Développement (AFD): France's bilateral development finance institution, financing public-sector projects in developing countries across climate, education, health, and governance. Comparable bilateral mandate with strong climate-and-development focus.
- Global Affairs Canada: Canada's federal department administering international development and humanitarian assistance. Closely comparable bilateral mandate covering poverty reduction, gender equality, and climate action.
- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): Japan's bilateral development agency, executing ODA programs across infrastructure, health, education, and governance. Comparable in scale and breadth of thematic mandate.
- Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA): South Korea's bilateral aid agency implementing grant-based ODA programs. Comparable role as an administering body for government-to-government development assistance.
- Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS), Netherlands: The Netherlands' directorate for international cooperation within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, administering Dutch ODA across thematic programs. Closely comparable mandate and directorate structure to NORAD.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) social profiles
Digital presenceThe Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments5 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)
What does The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) do?
NORAD is a Norwegian government directorate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that administers Norwegian international development aid. The agency manages approximately half of Norway's NOK 58.9 billion development aid budget, channeling grants and technical cooperation to partner governments, NGOs, UN agencies, multilateral organizations, and civil society for poverty reduction, climate action, humanitarian response, education, and human rights initiatives. NORAD also reports to the Ministry of Climate and Environment and administers risk-mitigation instruments such as the State Guarantee Scheme for renewable energy investments in developing countries.
Is The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) a public or private company?
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) founded?
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) was founded in 1968. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) based?
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, in the Europe region.
How does The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) make money?
One revenue line is on record: norwegian Government Development Budget.
Who are The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Danida (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS), Netherlands.
Does The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).
What industry is The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) in?
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)'s product category is International Development Cooperation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADABAA, Country Development Assistance Programs (Bilateral ODA), with a secondary code of BPADAOAC, Official Development Assistance (ODA) Program Management. Its NAICS code is 624230 and its SIC code is 8300.