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.