The Norwegian Human Rights Fund
Our mandate and our goal
The Norwegian Human Rights Fund (NHRF) works to protect and promote human rights internationally through direct support to organisations and movements working in the first line of defence for human rights.
Our goal is that marginalized and vulnerable individuals and groups who experience human rights violations and injustices are able to claim their rights and have them fulfilled.
Our history and our members
The Norwegian Human Rights Fund was established in 1988 by a collective of Norwegian civil society, academia and workers’ unions. As of 2025, the following organisations and institutions contribute strategically, professionally and financially to the NHRF’s work and are represented in the NHRF’s Board: The Atlas Alliance, the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions, Amnesty International Norway, and the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations, along with an independent board member.
Our team
In 2025, the NHRF Secretariat in Oslo consisted of a team of 13 staff members, while the NHRF office in Colombia operated with a team of 16. In addition, the NHRF works with local consultants in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, and Mexico.
Our values and thematic areas
We aim to be a courageous and flexible donor and partner, acting in solidarity with grassroots human rights organisations and human rights defenders around the world.
We direct our support to local human rights organisations through four interlinked thematic areas:
- Access to justice and promotion of accountability
- Inclusive societies free of discrimination and inequality
- Environmental human rights
- Protection of human rights defenders and the right to defend human rights
Our methods of working with grantee partners:
- Direct financial support to local human rights organisations
- Organisational development with the aim of strengthening the organisations' ability
- Building connections and opening doors
Our priority countries
We work in 7 priority countries:
- Colombia
- Mexico
- India
- Indonesia
- Pakistan
- Thailand
- Sri Lanka
In addition, we support organisations and projects focused on the protection of human rights defenders and the right to defend rights also outside of our priority countries (22 grantee partners).
Accounts
At the NHRF, we support organizations of various sizes. The chart illustrates the annual total budget size (in US Dollars) of the organizations we fund. The funding from the NHRF is part of this total.
Get to know more about funding for grantee partners, our finances and our donors here:
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Report hereStories from the ground
Protecting Those Who Protect Rights: Why Temporary Relocation Programs Are Essential
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Together for a Better World
Finally, we can share some really good news: From March 1, the Norwegian Human Rights Fund is part of the Postcode Lottery. We become one of a total of 23 organizations receiving support from the charitable lottery in the form of unrestricted, non-earmarked funds.
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What will happen if the defenders of Human Rights Disappear?
The U.S. is freezing its support— suddenly leaving local human rights defenders alone in the struggle to secure universal human rights and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. What can Norway do?
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Oslo Breathing Space City
The NHRF is currently the secretariat for Oslo Breathing Space City - a temporary relocation programme with the aim of creating a breathing space for human rights defenders living in stressful or hostile environments. The programme is rooted in Norwegian civil society and was initiated by five Norway-based organisations: Amnesty International Norway, Human Rights House Foundation, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, the Rafto Foundation and The Norwegian Human Rights Fund (NHRF).
NHRF Strategy 2026-2030
The global human rights landscape is facing intensifying challenges through a decline in democracy and respect for human rights, combined with dramatic cuts to aid and human rights funding. Underscoring the need for the kind of support the NHRF provides.
Our strategy for 2026-2030 outlines how we will continue to support frontline human rights work in the coming years.
A conversation with Jan Egeland and Ingeborg Moa
In this conversation, Jan Egeland, one of the founders of the Norwegian Human Rights Fund, and Ingeborg Moa, Executive Director of the NHRF, reflect on the origins, evolution and purpose of the NHRF. The organization was established nearly 40 years ago with a clear conviction: that the defence of human rights begins within the communities directly affected.
Our work in Colombia
The NHRF has been increasing its support to civil society organizations in Colombia through a new donor agreement with the Norwegian Embassy in Bogotá and with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). In the spring of 2020, the NHRF Colombia Office opened, which has enabled us to increase close monitoring and follow-up of the grantees and to ensure targeted, fit-for-purpose capacity building.
Annual Report 2024
In the NHRF Annual Report for 2024, you will find comprehensive information on the NHRF's activities and the remarkable work carried out by our grantee partners throughout the year.