Norad’s Thematic Portfolios

Norad is currently developing a portfolio management approach to ensure a high quality, knowledge-based development cooperation, and to operationalize priorities from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This will contribute to Norad's systematic and continuous efforts to identify and implement measures to optimize development effects.

Norad is incorporating cross-cutting considerations such as human rights, equality, anti-corruption, climate and environment, and systematically integrating innovation and digitalization, within the various portfolios.

The purpose of Norad's portfolio management is to strengthen the systematic use of evidence, use portfolio theory of change to communicate and engage on our rationales and logic, and bring together grant management and international partnerships for better results.

This will ensure that different parts of the administration and partners work towards common goals, create synergies, identify gaps and overlaps, and contribute to more efficient financing of the SDGs.

Norad welcomes dialogue with external parties to discuss and contribute to the knowledge base, with the aim of developing theories of change during the autumn of 2023. Please note that both thematic definitions and the number of portfolios may be adjusted through this dialogue process.

Climate Change Adaptation

The consequences of climate change undermine partner countries’ capacity to deliver on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and cause backsliding against SDG targets. The continued destruction of ecosystems is worsening the consequences of climate change and threatens humanity and nature’s ability to adapt.

Norad’s portfolio will contribute to achieving sustainable development goal 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries”, as well as article 7 of the Paris Agreement. The portfolio is aligned with Norwegian government’s strategy on climate, hunger and vulnerability and will focus on:

Alert systems and climate services
Investment mechanisms for prevention and addressing loss and damage
Nature-based solutions
Climate-adapted food production.

Norad will use the portfolio to increase our understanding of what are the most effective interventions from a climate adaptation viewpoint, and as the basis for dialogue with other donors, analysis of gaps and comparative advantages in order to make decisions on new adaptation finance and to ensure that the supported projects contribute as effectively as possible to adaptation. Norad will also use the portfolio to build alliances with key stakeholders and trust with partner countries, leading to better decisions being taken by partner countries when addressing the consequences of climate change.

Oceans

Norad’s Ocean portfolio is addressing SDG 14 by contributing to clean and healthy oceans, sustainable value creation and a more equitable, just ocean economy. The efforts are based on three existing programs: Fish for Development, Oceans for Development and the development program to combat marine litter and microplastics. These are all designed to contribute to SDG 14. The portfolio will work towards – and seek to identify the best interventions to deliver on – three outcome areas:

Strengthened rights and living conditions in coastal areas.
Healthy and clean oceans contributing to sustainable development.
Sustainable value creation for an inclusive ocean economy.

Improved administration capacity and strengthened institutions are critical for realizing the goal of the portfolio. Norad is seeking to strengthen our work within:

Nature-based solutions for climate adaptation: Including, preservation of blue forests to bind carbon, as well as prevent the loss of marine life, coastal erosion, and vulnerability to extreme weather.
Aquatic food, fish health and biosecurity, which are crucial for food security and access to fish protein in the future.
Private capital and new technology for the marine industries and waste management, to finance SDG 14 and thereby contribute to value creation and jobs.
Rights and living conditions in coastal communities and for those who make a living from the marine industries, which are essential to ensure a fairer blue economy.

We will work to strengthen global, regional, and national partnerships for more effective financing and delivery, and focus on the power of innovation, digitization and policy reform to drive systemic change.

SRHR

Promoting and protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is essential for achieving gender equality, and a precondition for sustainable development and social justice.

The goal of the portfolio is to achieve universal access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights. This entails working towards three outcome areas:

Women, girls, adolescents, and young people claim rights to bodily autonomy and drive changes in social and gender norms, together with their families and communities.
Health and education systems provide knowledge about and access to comprehensive SRH services.
Laws and policies ensuring SRHR promoted and adopted by authorities.

We welcome dialogue with interested parties to discuss and contribute to the knowledge base of our theory of change, which will be finalized by the end of September 2023.Norad’s approach is intersectional, rights based and aligned to the Guttmacher-Lancet Commission (GLC) definition on SRHR. With a rights-based approach Norad will focus on the following thematic areas: Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), Safe Abortion and Family Planning/ Contraceptives.

We will work to strengthen global, regional, and national partnerships for more effective financing and delivery, and focus on the power of innovation, digitization, and policy reform to drive systemic change.

Governance and Public Finance

The goal of the portfolio is to strengthen public finance and financial integrity. It will strengthen four aspects of governance in select countries, and related processes and actors at the global level.

The expected outcomes and indicative partner strategies are:

Increased revenue from taxes and tariffs: Supporting multilateral and bilateral engagement in capacity development and implementation of government in policy and administration as well as support to civil society, journalists, and research organizations to facilitate public debate at national and international levels.
Improved public finance management: Multilateral organizations directly funded programs and contribution to board processes to improve support to fiscal policy and public financial management and to promote more comprehensive approaches around core government functions.
High quality statistical data used for policy development and planning: Bilateral and multilateral support to production and use of statistics and registry data. Particular focus on data related to domestic resource mobilization, national budgets, and policies for reducing poverty and inequality.
Systems and capacity to prevent and tackle corruption and illicit financial flows (IFF): Multilateral organizations, civil society and research that strengthen the interaction between global and national regulatory- and accountability processes.
Global standards and norms for financial integrity fit developing countries’ needs and capacities: Multilateral organizations, international accountability actors (civil society and inter-governmental), global platforms and mechanisms aimed at strengthening capacity of national systems. Emphasis on facilitating participation by developing countries in relevant processes.

We welcome dialogue with interested parties to discuss and contribute to the knowledge base of our theory of change, which will be finalized by the end of September 2023.

Within each outcome area the interaction between state and citizen is at the core as is promotion of accountability, transparency, effectiveness, and inclusion in core government functions. A whole of government approach that reduces fragmentation of reforms and promotes collaboration within government has demonstrated stronger results and will be promoted in this portfolio.

Clean Energy

The goal of the portfolio is to increase access to affordable clean energy and strengthened public energy management to ensure economic and social development. The production and consumption of energy must result in as low greenhouse gas emissions as possible. For developing countries, it is important to secure enough energy to cover basic needs.

Three outcome areas:

Increased production of renewable energy
Increased access to energy, including off-grid solutions and clean cooking stoves.
Strengthened public management and institutions.

Selected measures in the form of capital, knowledge and political dialogue are expected to contribute to improved target achievement. Relevant efforts will include:

Multilateral support to renewable energy production, access to energy, and analysis.
De-risking to mobilize private investments.
Bilateral institutional cooperation programmes.

We welcome dialogue with interested parties to discuss and contribute to the knowledge base of our theory of change, which will be finalized by the end of September 2023.

Social Safety Nets

The goal of the portfolio is to achieve well-functioning national social protection systems. Social safety nets have a positive effect on poverty, hunger, school attendance and use of health services. It is a well-suited tool to help families affected by natural disasters or food insecurity.

To achieve well-functioning national systems Norad will support:

Transfers (in cash or in kind)
Systems, capacity, and competences

Norad will focus efforts within four change pathways:

Advocacy
Build and share knowledge
Financing social protection schemes
Support and strengthen coordination to maximize synergies

Through a concerted effort, Norad wants to be a driving force for the authorities in developing countries to strengthen their SSNs, whereby different schemes are aligned in an effective system guided by a holistic social protection strategy.

We welcome dialogue with interested parties to discuss and contribute to the knowledge base of our theory of change, which will be finalized by the end of September 2023.

Forests

The goal of the portfolio is to contribute to the reduction and reversal of tropical forest loss to enable a stable climate, preserved biodiversity and sustainable development, as part of Norway’s International Forest and Climate Initiative (NICFI).

NICFI has seven strategic areas:

Land Use Policies
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Carbon Markets and International Support Structures
Transparency
Deforestation-free Commodity Markets
Deforestation-free Financial Markets
International Forest Crime

NICFI is hosted by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment. The Norwegian support goes to a complex portfolio consisting of both bilateral agreements with large forest countries, multilateral organizations and civil society. Norad manages significant parts of the NICFI funds under the climate and forest initiative on behalf of the Ministry of Climate and Environment.

More detailed information about NICFI can be found at www.nicfi.no

Freedom of expression and civic space

Freedom of expression and civic space are important thematic areas for Norad. We consider these in conjunction and have yet to conclude if there will be developed one joint or two separate portfolios. Regardless of the final arrangement, both areas will remain key priorities in Norad's further work.

Democracy, including civic space and freedom of expression, are under considerable and persistent pressure worldwide. Research suggests a negative development for democratic freedoms since around 2010. According to the Varieties of Democracy research project, the decline is strongest for freedom of speech.

Norad's work for freedom of expression will contribute to realizing Norway's Strategy for freedom of expression in foreign and development policy (2021). The strategy's aim is to strengthen freedom of expression as a fundamental human right and as a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights and democracy.

The UN's SDGs states that no one should be left behind. This assumes that the individual's human rights are respected and safeguarded. Freedom of expression and free access to information are crucial for achieving the SDGs by 2030.

The overall goal for Norad’s efforts in this area is to strengthen freedom of expression in Norway's partner countries in development cooperation. To achieve this, Norad will further strengthen our cooperation with journalists and media organizations across thematic areas in the development policy, and support work for increased access to reliable information and a safe environment for freedom of expression for vulnerable groups.

To address the problem of shrinking and shifting civic space, Norad will support work to respect, protect and enhance civic space globally and specifically in Norway’s partner countries.

Change pathways across the different outcomes for civic space:

Coordination, collaboration, and coalitions for civic influence: Strengthening civil society’s ability to influence, by supporting coalition building within civil society and with allies like independent media and academic institutions nationally and internationally. The aim is to deepen, broaden and sustain coordination, collaboration, and coalitions to protect and enhance civic space.
Digital literacy and capacity: Civil society has the ability and support mechanisms both to protect themselves and each other in the digital space and to use digitals tools effectively to spread information, reshaping narratives and mobilise to protect civic space.
Knowledge production, dissemination, exchange of experiences and learning: Civils society is learning from each other’s experiences nationally and internationally and base strategies and tactics on knowledge of what works best to protect civic space in different contexts.
Readiness for windows of opportunities: Civil society is ready to respond to windows of opportunity and able to mobilise against attacks on civic space. This will require flexibility from Norad and other partners.

As civic space is highly politically contested, our work will use political system thinking in its approach to change. We will aim to increase the costs for political actors of closing civic space and the rewards of opening it up by combining a bottom up-approach with a top down by supporting civil society’s global normative work.

Education

The goal of the Norad’s portfolio on education will contribute to achieving SDG 4 about ensuring inclusive and equitable education for all. portfolio is ensuring inclusive and equitable education for all. The challenge in education is twofold: 1) provide access to education for all, 2) make good quality education to make sure that all children and young people learn. The only sustainable way to meet these challenges, is to build education systems for the future to ensure that all children can reach his or her full potential, including full participation in society, in democratic processes and in the job market. Education is a human right, and the main duty bearer for securing the right lies with governments. National authorities are primary responsible and key change agents in any effort to improve access to education and learning. Also in conflict and crisis situations where governments might be very weak, there is a need for coordination with governments to ensure that temporary solutions can be foundations for developing a robust system.

The main objective of the portfolio is that children and young people go to school and achieve at least minimum learning outcomes. The two interrelated outcomes are:Norway has since 2015 taken a leading role as an advocate for the importance of education within development aid. As a contribution to the overall objective of relevant learning for all youth and children, Norad will in this portfolio direct our efforts to achieve one main objective and two interrelated outcomes necessary to reach the overall objective:

Stronger education systems (long term)
More and better qualified teachers (medium term)

To support stronger education systems Norad will:

Strengthen the use of evidence
Advocate for resource mobilization
Ensure country ownership
Increase institutional capacities

To ensure more and qualified teachers:

Promote holistic government owned teacher policies
Enhance teachers’ competencies
Recruitment, retention, and deployment of teachers
Including teachers in social dialogue and policy development
Improve working conditions for teachers

Main objective: Children and young people go to school and achieve at least minimum learning outcomes
Long-term outcome: Stronger education system
Medium-term outcome: More and better qualified teachers

Education system and obstacles to learning are context specific. Interventions within education must respond to country needs and be context sensitive, and we welcome a continued dialogue with interested parties on these topics in the coming months and aim to publish a more comprehensive theory of change by the end of September 2023.

We welcome dialogue with interested parties to discuss and contribute to the knowledge base of our theory of change, which will be finalized by the end of September 2023.

Health Systems Strengthening

The goal of the portfolio is strengthening equitable, climate-resilient and sustainable health systems in low and middle-income countries. Norad will direct its efforts to achieve three interrelated sub-objectives:

Improved country ownership, stewardship and finance for health and health equity
Stronger country capacity to prioritize, plan and deliver across UHC/PHC, public health and health security
Better aligned efforts and finance by global health institutions behind country-led health priorities and plans

Norad will work through six interlinked intervention areas:

Governance and finance
Primary healthcare
Public health and health security
Contribute to the reorientation of global health initiatives
Advocacy and strategic engagement
Research and innovation for health system strengthening

The need for a proactive and evidence-informed reorientation of Norway’s global health efforts in support of country-led, climate-resilient and more equitable health systems strengthening accompanied by reforms of global health initiatives, are Norwegian Government’s priorities. Stronger national health systems will also strengthen global health security, including pandemic preparedness and response.

Higher Education & Research

The goal of the portfolio is to ensure the academic sector’s ability to deliver on its three-fold social mission: 1) provide society with a quality workforce adopted to the needs of the labor market, 2) produce research-based knowledge and innovation, and 3) engage with societal actors by sharing knowledge and contributing to debate that inform policies and practices.

Regional focus is on Sub-Saharan Africa - the region with the most pressing needs. Efforts are focused on two higher level outcomes (1a+b) and two lower-level outcomes (2+3):

1a. Higher education institutions (HEIs) in SSA educate post-graduates that contribute to society as employed and engaged citizens.

1b. HEIs and research institutions in SSA lead high quality research.

Funding to the higher education and research sector in SSA is reliable and supports institutional capacity strengthening, local ownership and agenda setting.
National systems for higher education and research are coherent and rigged to support the social mission.

Key change pathways across the outcomes include:

Financial support to partner institutions core activities, focused on strengthening faculty competencies
Advocate for investments and funding models that support institutional capacity strengthening
Piloting holistic approaches to the academic sector at country level
Identifying and sharing good practices

The academic sector is a persistently unequal sector. Women, people with disabilities, cultural and ethnic minorities, and indigenous groups are particularly underrepresented and this will be addressed across the portfolio.

Higher education institutions (HEIs) in SSA educate post-graduates that contribute to society as employed and engaged citizens.
HEIs and research institutions in SSA lead high quality research.
Funding to the higher education and research sector in SSA is reliable and supports institutional capacity strengthening, local ownership and agenda setting.

Digital Public Goods

Norad is developing a portfolio on digital public goods targeting a paradigm shift through the successful scaling of digital public goods globally that will benefit individuals, institutions and society and help ensure that no one is left behind in low- and middle-income countries. Digital public goods are open-source software, open data, open AI models, open standards and open content that adhere to privacy and other applicable laws and best practices, do no harm by design, and help attain the SDGs. Norad supports the Digital Public Goods Alliance.

The work with digital public goods will also be included in several of Norad's other portfolios, and we will accommodate dialogue with interested actors towards the development of a more complete theory of change for digital public goods.

Gjennom utvikling og implementering av digitale fellesgoder, oppnår lav- og mellominntektsland digital selvråderett og nasjonalt eierskap til sin digitale transformasjon.

Decent Work

Norad is currently developing a portfolio on decent work with a primary focus on SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.Norad is currently developing a portfolio on decent work with a primary focus on achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

Norad is currently envisioning three outcome areas:

Job creation
Workers’ rights
Social dialogue

These outcome areas will also be included in several of Norad's other portfolios, and we will welcome dialogue with interested parties to discuss and contribute to the knowledge base of our theory of change.

Food Security

Norad is currently developing a portfolio on Food Security based on the Norwegian Government’s strategy on food security: Combining forces against hunger – a policy to improve food self-sufficiency.Norad is currently developing a portfolio on Food Security delivering on the Norwegian Government’s strategy on food security: Combining forces against hunger – a policy to improve food self-sufficiency. This strategy is an important part of the Government’s effort to achieve its development policy objective of promoting social change by fighting inequality and fostering economic development and welfare in developing countries.

Norad is currently envisioning four interdependent pathways:

Increased local, climate-resilient food production through improved productivity, including reduced production loss, for small-scale food producers.
Increased local value creation and income for food producers through well-functioning local value chains and markets that strengthen the position of small-scale food producers in the value chain and accommodate small and medium-sized enterprises.
Reduced malnutrition and undernutrition through improved access to healthy, varied, and safe food.
Reduced scale of hunger crises through preventive action and rapid, integrated response efforts

These pathways will also be included in several of Norad's other portfolios, and we will welcome dialogue with interested parties to discuss and contribute to the knowledge base of our theory of change.

Published 15.06.2023

Last updated 15.06.2023