Deadline: 12-Feb-2026
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) has launched a call for proposals to establish and operate a Knowledge Center for Development Cooperation. The initiative aims to strengthen evidence-based development practice by enhancing civil society organisations’ access to research, learning platforms, and strategic knowledge management in ODA-eligible countries.
Overview of the Funding Opportunity
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is inviting proposals to establish and operate a Knowledge Center for Development Cooperation.
The Knowledge Center will play a central role in strengthening effective, research-informed development cooperation by supporting civil society organisations with high-quality knowledge, learning systems, and evidence-based approaches. The initiative is aligned with Norway’s commitment to improving development impact through knowledge-based policy and practice.
Purpose and Strategic Objectives
The primary purpose of the Knowledge Center is to enhance how civil society organisations generate, use, and share knowledge in development cooperation.
Key objectives include strengthening strategic knowledge management, promoting research-based decision-making, improving programme design and implementation, and increasing development impact for civil society actors operating in ODA-eligible countries.
The center is expected to serve as a bridge between research institutions and development practitioners, ensuring that academic research is translated into practical, accessible, and actionable knowledge.
Key Focus Areas and Themes
The Knowledge Center will focus on several interconnected thematic priorities.
These include the development and use of research-based knowledge, cooperation between civil society and research institutions, continuous learning and reflection, evidence-informed programme design, and improved monitoring, evaluation, and learning practices.
A strong emphasis is placed on learning systems that support adaptive programming and long-term development effectiveness.
Expected Activities and Functions
Applicants are expected to propose a comprehensive and integrated set of activities that respond to civil society needs.
Indicative activities include conducting research and impact evaluations in collaboration with civil society organisations, producing systematic and user-oriented evidence syntheses, and publishing accessible knowledge products.
Additional activities may include capacity-building initiatives such as courses, workshops, and training programmes, facilitation of thematic learning networks, and the creation of open knowledge-sharing platforms.
The Knowledge Center should also make lessons learned and practical experiences publicly available and contribute to national and international debates on knowledge-based development policy.
Who Is Eligible to Apply
Eligible applicants must be legal entities with the competence and capacity to establish and operate the Knowledge Center.
Applicants may include Norwegian or foreign non-profit research institutions. They must demonstrate strong familiarity with Norwegian and international civil society, as well as contextual insight into development cooperation in ODA-eligible countries.
Applicants are expected to show robust organisational systems, including partner selection and monitoring frameworks, risk management and internal control mechanisms, and ethical guidelines covering safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH).
Organisational Capacity and Experience Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate a strong and credible institutional profile.
This includes a large, well-established network with civil society organisations, research institutions, and partners in the Global South. Applicants should have documented experience in capacity building, knowledge collection, and facilitation of learning processes.
A highly competent research environment is essential, with proven contributions to development research and applied knowledge generation relevant to civil society-led development efforts.
Why This Initiative Matters
Effective development cooperation depends on the ability to learn, adapt, and base decisions on reliable evidence.
By establishing a dedicated Knowledge Center, Norad aims to close the gap between research and practice, strengthen civil society’s role in knowledge generation, and improve development outcomes for communities in ODA-eligible countries.
The initiative reinforces long-term learning cultures, supports innovation, and enhances accountability and effectiveness across development interventions.
How the Application Process Works
Applicants must submit a detailed proposal outlining how they will establish and operate the Knowledge Center.
Proposals should clearly describe the center’s objectives, governance structure, planned activities, partnerships, risk management systems, and ethical safeguards. Applicants must also demonstrate their research capacity, networks, and experience in knowledge-based development cooperation.
Only complete applications submitted in line with Norad’s call requirements will be considered.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid proposing overly academic approaches that lack practical relevance for civil society actors.
Other common pitfalls include insufficient attention to ethical safeguards, weak partner engagement strategies, unclear governance and accountability structures, and limited plans for making knowledge products accessible and usable.
Strong proposals demonstrate practical impact, inclusive collaboration, and clear pathways from research to action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main goal of the Knowledge Center for Development Cooperation?
The goal is to strengthen effective, evidence-based development cooperation by improving civil society organisations’ access to research, learning platforms, and strategic knowledge management.
Who can apply for this call?
Eligible applicants include Norwegian or foreign non-profit research institutions with the capacity and experience to operate a large-scale knowledge center.
What types of activities will the Knowledge Center support?
Activities may include research and impact evaluations, evidence syntheses, capacity-building courses, learning networks, and open knowledge-sharing platforms.
Is collaboration with civil society organisations required?
Yes. Strong cooperation with civil society actors is central to the purpose and design of the Knowledge Center.
Does the initiative focus on specific countries?
The Knowledge Center will support civil society organisations operating in ODA-eligible countries.
What organisational systems are required?
Applicants must demonstrate systems for partner selection, monitoring, risk management, internal control, and ethical safeguards, including SEAH prevention.
Conclusion
Norad’s call to establish a Knowledge Center for Development Cooperation represents a major opportunity to strengthen learning, research, and evidence-based practice across civil society-led development efforts. By connecting research institutions with practitioners and fostering continuous learning, the initiative aims to deliver more effective, accountable, and impactful development outcomes globally.
For more information, visit Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
