| Norway Making a difference, together.

Norway’s multi-year and highly flexible funding helps UNHCR to plan effectively and respond where the needs are greatest.

Norway is a true partner to UNHCR. As one of the largest governmental donors providing multi-year and highly flexible funding, and the largest of unearmarked funds in 2021, Norway enables UNHCR to plan effectively, respond quickly to emergencies and continue to support people in protracted crises.

The partnership is steeped in history, from Fridtjof Nansen’s work as High Commissioner for Refugees in 1921 and Norway’s support to UNHCR’s Nansen Awards for recognition of exceptional work to protect refugees, displaced and stateless people, to Norway joining the Executive Committee of UNHCR in 1955.

Norway and UNHCR share common values and priorities, focusing on equal protection for both refugees and internally displaced men and women, identifying comprehensive approaches and improving assistance.

Norway uses an innovative approach which resettles refugees to different locations based on their education and skills, resulting in better integration into new communities. Norway’s support to the resettlement program allows UNHCR to maintain its capacity to provide long-term solutions to the most vulnerable refugees by giving them a chance at a new life in a place of safety and security. 

Norway supports comprehensive approaches by assisting host communities—an approach that is at the heart of the Global Compact on Refugees. Norway holds a global leadership role on education in emergencies and child protection, is a firm advocate for the rights of women and girls, and a longtime supporter on UNHCR’s work on GBV.  

Furthermore, specific Norwegian innovation grants also enable UNHCR to reduce its environmental footprint and adopt new approaches within refugee communities and camps.