GRID-Arendal
GRID-Arendal is a Norwegian non-profit, established in 1989 under a UNEP and Norwegian government mandate, that translates environmental science into publications, digital platforms, and decision-support tools for governments, UN agencies, researchers, and local communities globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersArendal, Norway
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What GRID-Arendal does
GRID-Arendal is a Norwegian non-profit environmental organisation founded in 1989 under a mandate from UNEP and the Norwegian government, headquartered in Arendal, Norway, with a newly established West Africa Hub in Senegal (2026). It serves governments, UN agencies, local communities, civil society, research institutions, and development funders, providing environmental knowledge translation across climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, oceans, and transboundary governance. Its portfolio spans a publications library (rapid response assessments, monographs, policy briefs, vital graphics, story maps, atlases, annual reports), thematic programs (Climate, Nature, Pollution, Transboundary Governance, Communications), and a growing set of digital platforms and decision-support tools including the Blue Carbon Portal, IKHAPP (International Knowledge Hub Against Plastic Pollution), and the Marine Debris Action Planner (MDAP, built with SALT). It also runs capacity-building initiatives such as the Green Constructive Journalism programme (with UNEP and the Constructive Institute) and the Blue Solutions knowledge exchange initiative.
The organisation's underlying "technology" is environmental knowledge translation: combining scientific depth, multimedia communication (story maps, photo essays, vital graphics, video, apps), and hands-on program implementation to convert complex environmental data into accessible outputs for policymakers and practitioners. It is embedded in the global environmental governance ecosystem as a flagship UNEP partner, contributor to the Arctic Council, host of the University of the Arctic President's office since 2002, and implementer of FCDO-funded research via the XCEPT programme with NUPI.
GRID-Arendal does not sell commercial products. Its revenue mechanics are grant and donation-based, drawn from governments (Norway, UK via FCDO), UN agencies (notably UNEP), development partners, and foundations, allocated against specific programmes and projects. Its go-to-market is community-led and partnership-driven rather than commercial sales: staff are convened into thematic programmes, funders are approached around defined environmental priorities, and outputs are distributed via open-access publications, story maps, webinars, and direct technical assistance. Reported headcount is in the 11-50 band, with named senior leadership including Managing Director Karen Landmark, CFO Per-Ståle Edvardsen, and senior experts in Marine Sciences, Waste and Marine Litter, and Nature governance.
GRID-Arendal firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GRID-Arendal
- Legal name
- GRID-Arendal
- Website
- https://grida.no
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- GRID-Arendal is a Norwegian non-profit, established in 1989 under a UNEP and Norwegian government mandate, that translates environmental science into publications, digital platforms, and decision-support tools for governments, UN agencies, researchers, and local communities globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where GRID-Arendal is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arendal
- HQ country
- Norway
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
GRID-Arendal business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Grants and Donations: As a non-profit organization established in 1989 under UNEP and Norwegian governance, GRID-Arendal operates primarily through grants from governments, UN agencies, development partners, and foundations. Their work is supported by donors and partners who fund specific environmental programs and initiatives.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
GRID-Arendal product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GRID-Arendal is a non-profit environmental organization that produces multimedia knowledge products (publications, story maps, vital graphics, photo essays, video) and digital knowledge platforms (Blue Carbon Portal, IKHAPP, Marine Debris Action Planner) to translate complex environmental science into accessible formats. It delivers capacity-building programs, training, and science-policy interface support to governments, UN agencies, researchers, and communities on climate, biodiversity, oceans, pollution, and transboundary environmental issues.
Product overview
GRID-Arendal is a non-profit environmental organisation established in 1989 under UNEP and the Norwegian governance system. The organisation's portfolio consists primarily of knowledge products and programmes rather than a unified software platform. Its core offerings include: a publications library (rapid response assessments, monographs, policy briefs, vital graphics series, story maps, and annual reports) covering climate, biodiversity, oceans, pollution, and mountains; thematic programmes in Climate, Nature, Pollution, Transboundary Governance, and Communications; and digital platforms including the Blue Carbon Portal, IKHAPP (International Knowledge Hub Against Plastic Pollution), and Marine Debris Action Planner. The organisation also delivers capacity-building initiatives such as the Green Constructive Journalism training programme and the Blue Solutions knowledge exchange platform. The West Africa Hub in Senegal extends regional reach for ocean governance and plastic pollution work.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- GRID-Arendal Publications Comprehensive library of environmental publications including rapid response assessments, monographs, policy briefs, vital graphics series, story maps, atlases, staff publications, and annual reports covering climate change, biodiversity, oceans, pollution, mountains, and environmental security. For governments, researchers, practitioners, and the public.
- Blue Carbon Portal International online platform serving as a hub for the blue carbon community to share experiences, information, and knowledge on coastal and marine carbon solutions. Targeted at researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working on blue carbon ecosystems.
- IKHAPP (International Knowledge Hub Against Plastic Pollution) International platform dedicated to aggregating and sharing knowledge on plastic pollution mitigation strategies and solutions. For governments, NGOs, researchers, and communities working on plastic pollution.
- Marine Debris Action Planner (MDAP) A decision-support service developed with SALT and funded by Innovation Norway for tracking and managing marine debris actions and cleanup initiatives. For organizations addressing marine litter.
- Green Constructive Journalism Programme that trains journalists and communication professionals in solution-focused environmental storytelling using constructive journalism frameworks, developed in partnership with UNEP and the Constructive Institute.
- Blue Solutions Initiative under the Blue Solutions project that develops capacity and supports knowledge exchange on successful approaches to marine and coastal management across different regions. For practitioners and policymakers.
- Blue Forests Project Global initiative focused on harnessing the values associated with coastal carbon and ecosystem services from blue forests (mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes) for climate change mitigation. For governments, conservation organizations, and coastal communities.
Companies that use GRID-Arendal
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
GRID-Arendal technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
GRID-Arendal partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- University of the Arctic (UArctic)flagshipThe University of the Arctic is a cooperative network of more than 200 universities, colleges, research institutes and other organizations concerned with education and research in and about the North. GRID-Arendal has housed the office of the President of UArctic since 2002, with Lars Kullerud serving as President. The partnership fosters cooperation in education, research and outreach to enhance human capacity in the North.
- Abidjan ConventioncoreThe West Africa Hub works with the Abidjan Convention (Convention for the Cooperation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West, Central and Southern Africa Region) to strengthen science-based ocean governance and support sustainable marine ecosystems across West Africa.
- Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI)coreThe Peace and Security Risks from the Borderlands of the Lake Chad (CPS-Lake Chad) project is funded by FCDO through the XCEPT research program. The project examines environmental dimensions of conflict in the Lake Chad region, generating insights into factors influencing regional stabilization effectiveness.
- UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)flagshipGRID-Arendal was established in 1989 under a strong mandate from UNEP and the Norwegian governance system. The organization continues to work closely with UNEP on environmental programs, communications, and science-policy initiatives globally.
- Arctic CouncilcoreGRID-Arendal contributed to the early development of the Arctic Council and works closely with Indigenous Peoples' Organisations. The organization hosts the UArctic leadership which links Arctic higher education with the Arctic Council and influences the Arctic research agenda.
- Blue Solutions InitiativecoreBlue Solutions develops capacity and supports knowledge exchange on successful approaches to marine and coastal management. The initiative contributes to the Nature program's work on blue carbon, sustainable ocean governance, and coastal ecosystem restoration.
- Constructive InstitutecoreGRID-Arendal works with the Constructive Institute to promote solution-focused storytelling and support journalists in covering climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution through the Green Constructive Journalism program.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
GRID-Arendal competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organization that turns environmental and development research into datasets, tools, and policy analysis for governments and practitioners. Highly comparable to GRID-Arendal in science-to-policy translation, indicator-based knowledge products (e.g., CAIT, Global Forest Watch), and donor-funded, non-commercial distribution model.
- Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI): Policy-research institute generating evidence and decision-support on climate, water, and sustainability for governments and UN agencies. Directly comparable mission, governance (independent non-profit with multiple offices), science-policy interface work, and grant-funded operating model.
- International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD): Non-profit that conducts applied research and policy analysis on sustainable development trade, finance, and natural resources, with strong UN and government engagement. Closely comparable in size, mission, knowledge-product distribution, and reliance on multilateral/sovereign grant funding.
- Wetlands International: Non-profit focused on wetland and coastal ecosystem conservation, with active blue carbon and integrated water resources programs. Comparable in marine/coastal program portfolio (overlapping Blue Forests, blue carbon work), non-commercial operating model, and UN/multilateral donor base.
Broad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest global conservation NGOs, working across climate, oceans, and lands with significant science-policy and GIS/decision-support output (e.g., mapping, marine spatial planning). Overlaps with GRID-Arendal's portfolio but operates at vastly larger scale and budget; comparable in science-to-policy translation and conservation focus.
- Conservation International: Global conservation organization with a science-policy interface, environmental communications capacity, and funding from governments, multilaterals, and corporate partners. Comparable thematic focus (biodiversity, oceans, climate) and knowledge-product publishing, but materially larger scale and geographic footprint.
Emerging players
- Climate Central: US-based non-profit that combines climate science, data visualization, and journalist-facing tools to drive climate awareness. Comparable in multimedia environmental communication, journalist training programs (overlap with GRID-Arendal's Green Constructive Journalism), and non-commercial distribution of decision-support content.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
GRID-Arendal social profiles
Digital presenceGRID-Arendal financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GRID-Arendal leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
GRID-Arendal subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
GRID-Arendal funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GRID-Arendal M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GRID-Arendal
What does GRID-Arendal do?
GRID-Arendal is a non-profit environmental organization that produces multimedia knowledge products (publications, story maps, vital graphics, photo essays, video) and digital knowledge platforms (Blue Carbon Portal, IKHAPP, Marine Debris Action Planner) to translate complex environmental science into accessible formats. It delivers capacity-building programs, training, and science-policy interface support to governments, UN agencies, researchers, and communities on climate, biodiversity, oceans, pollution, and transboundary environmental issues.
Is GRID-Arendal a public or private company?
GRID-Arendal is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was GRID-Arendal founded?
GRID-Arendal was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is GRID-Arendal based?
GRID-Arendal is headquartered in Arendal, Norway, in the Europe region.
How does GRID-Arendal make money?
One revenue line is on record: grants and Donations.
Who are GRID-Arendal's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are World Resources Institute (WRI), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Wetlands International. Broad incumbents are The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International. Climate Central is listed as an emerging player.
Does GRID-Arendal have an API?
No public API is recorded for GRID-Arendal.