The Norwegian Human Rights Fund (NHRF) works to protect and promote human rights internationally through direct support to organisations working in the first line of defence for human rights.
The NHRF aims to be a flexible, courageous and global actor that provides direct support to local organisations working for the rights of vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups. In many cases, the NHRF supports affected communities and people on the ground in mobilising and taking the lead in the struggle for their rights.
The NHRF supports local initiatives and actors who know the local structures and work where human rights violations take place.In addition, the NHRF supports professional human rights actors’ work for the protection of the rights of vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups through initiatives such as legal assistance, advocacy work, documentation, and rights education.
The NHRF’s funding scheme mainly involves the allocation of comparatively small grants to be utilised within a limited time frame. The NHRF has its own guidelines for grant allocation.
Vision and Mission
The Norwegian Human Rights Fund (NHRF) works to protect and promote human rights internationally through direct support to organisations working in the first line of defence for human rights.
The NHRF aims to be a flexible, courageous and global actor that provides direct support to local organisations working for the rights of vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups.
History
The NHRF was founded in 1988 and sprung out of Norwegian civil society, academia and workers’ unions.
Established as a flexible donor, the NHRF has been able to take risks and support nascent initiatives which are targeted and smart, without intermediary links or time-consuming procedures.
During more than 30 years of existence, the NHRF has given support to projects focusing on a wide range of topics. These topics range from recognising and securing Indigenous peoples rights as citizens; monitoring and documenting abuse in conflict areas; protecting those working in the frontline for human rights; and demanding access to basic human needs for the poor, such as water, food, and housing. As a part of this, the NHRF has built rich and vast networks of relevant actors within which the NHRF actively participates, both locally and internationally.
