Deadline: 18-Nov-2025
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its national budget chapter 152, item 70 Human Rights, has launched a new call for proposals under the grant scheme “Human Rights.”
The program seeks to protect human rights defenders and strengthen their work in developing countries, ultimately advancing stronger democracies, improved compliance with international human rights obligations, and more effective international human rights systems.
This call focuses on some of the most urgent areas in today’s human rights landscape, including women’s rights and gender equality, non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, freedom of expression and media freedom, cultural rights, freedom of religion and belief, workers’ rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, and the promotion of democratic development and the rule of law. Human rights defenders, who play a pivotal role across these areas, remain the central focus, particularly given the increasing threats and restrictions they face in environments of shrinking civic space and democratic backsliding.
The initiative is structured around three core outcomes: providing protection and emergency support, strengthening systems and institutions, and increasing mobilisation, visibility, and advocacy. Through these areas, the program seeks not only to provide immediate safeguards but also to build sustainable mechanisms that enable human rights defenders to continue their work safely and effectively.
Norad aims to establish up to 20 grant agreements under this call, with a total indicative budget of NOK 600 million for the four-year period, subject to parliamentary appropriations. Funding will be available for both project or program support and core support, depending on the applicant’s needs and proposed activities. Proposals must comply with OECD/DAC criteria for Official Development Assistance (ODA), and when relevant, applicants must report on the proportion of funds transferred to ODA-eligible countries.
Eligibility is open to international, regional, and Norwegian civil society organisations that are non-profit and independent legal entities. Preference will be given to organisations with strong local presence, proven experience in protecting human rights defenders, and approaches that are gender-responsive, inclusive, and sensitive to intersecting vulnerabilities. Applicants must also demonstrate the technical, administrative, and financial capacity to deliver initiatives at scale, with a minimum of five years’ experience in relevant thematic and geographic areas.
By funding this scheme, Norway underscores its commitment to strengthening the global human rights landscape. The call offers an important opportunity for civil society organisations to help ensure that human rights defenders can continue their essential work, while contributing to safer, more just, and democratic societies worldwide.
For more information, visit Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
