Why does Norwegian People's Aid say no to NOK 400 million from the United States?
Norwegian People's Aid rejects new conditions from the US State Department because they conflict with the organization's values, Norwegian politics and Norwegian law.
Why does Norwegian People's Aid say no to almost NOK 400 million from the US State Department?
The US Department of State has introduced new conditions for organisations that receive funding. Norwegian People's Aid believes that the conditions are contrary to our values, Norwegian policy and Norwegian law. We have therefore chosen to phase out our cooperation with the US Department of State as a donor to our mine and explosives clearance work.
What do the new requirements entail?
As Norwegian People's Aid has understood and confirmed the demands, they entail, among other things, restrictions related to work on gender equality, diversity and abortion. The crucial thing for us is that the requirements do not only apply to projects financed by American funds, but also apply to the entire organisation's activities.
Can you document how the US has formulated the requirements?
As formulated in The Federal Register: Combating Discriminatory Equity Ideology in Foreign Assistance Rules, the Executive Summary states:
To ensure that foreign aid is aligned with administration policy and promotes human flourishing, the Secretary of State has directed that foreign assistance align with State Department policies opposing gender ideology, discriminatory equity ideology, unlawful diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and abortion as a method of family planning overseas.
What kind of work does Norwegian People's Aid do specifically that violates the requirements of the United States?
Norwegian People's Aid conducts broad international work to promote gender equality, equality and inclusion. We work with organisations that work for women's rights and participation, organisations that represent sexual minorities, and actors that assist people who are victims of gender-based violence. This is an integral part of our humanitarian and development policy work.
In Norway, too, we conduct activities and political work through our local branches and members for equal rights, diversity and participation in society. This is a fundamental part of the organisation's identity and social mission.
Examples of where requirements conflict with our work:
"The recipient will not, during the term of the award, provide or promote abortion as a method of family planning": Norwegian People's Aid has a number of partners who fight for women's right to control over their own bodies, including the right to abortion. Such a demand is particularly dramatic in war zones where sexual violence is used as a weapon of war.
"The recipient will not, during the term of the award, promote gender ideology outside the United States." We celebrate Pride, and the fight against all forms of discrimination is a central part of our anti-fascist work
"Recipient agrees that it will not, during the term of the award, outside of the United States, promote discriminatory equity ideology or engage in unlawful DEI discrimination.": Norwegian People's Aid works actively for gender equality both in its own programs and in collaboration with partners. We are an anti-racist organization, and fight for inclusion and diversity both in Norway and internationally
More questions and answers
-
Have you tried to find a solution?
-
Yes. For several months, Norwegian People's Aid has been in dialogue with the American authorities and worked to obtain an exemption from the conditions. An application for an exemption, a so-called waiver, was prepared, but it was eventually rejected.
-
-
Why do you say no now when you have previously cooperated with the United States under similar conditions?
-
Because the nature of the conditions has changed. In 2025, the requirements were only to regulate US-funded mine and explosives clearance projects. The requirements were never implemented and not included in our contracts. The new terms are significantly more extensive because they may have consequences for the organisation's activities outside the US-funded projects as well.
-
-
How much money does Norwegian People's Aid lose?
-
A complete loss of US funds means a loss of income of almost NOK 400 million annually for our mine and explosives clearance work. The US has provided about 40 per cent of the funding in this area.
-
-
Why don't you just accept the money and continue to clear mines?
-
This would mean accepting conditions that we believe are incompatible with our fundamental values and in practice incompatible with Norwegian gender equality legislation. Norwegian People's Aid believes that equality, equality and diversity are not issues of negotiation. The decision is demanding, but the organisation believes it is necessary.
-
-
Do you put values before lifesaving?
-
No. Norwegian People's Aid is deeply concerned about the consequences this will have both for people living with mines and explosives and for our employees. At the same time, we believe that humanitarian work must be able to be carried out without organisations having to renounce fundamental rights and values.
-
-
What happens to the mine and explosives clearance work?
-
Much of the work will continue. About 60 per cent of NPA's mine and explosives clearance work will remain. At the same time, activities in some countries will have to be phased out or reduced as a result of the loss of US funds.
-
-
Which countries will be affected?
-
Activities in Palau and potentially Vietnam will be phased out, while activities in Laos, Iraq and Cambodia will be reduced. At the same time, Norwegian People's Aid is working to find alternative financing.
-
-
What happens to the employees?
-
Around 1700 employees globally will be affected by the loss of funding. Most work in the country programmes that are affected. Jobs at the head office in Oslo will also be affected.
-
-
Is this a break with the US as a partner?
-
No. The decision applies to these specific conditions related to the financing of mine and explosives clearance work. Norwegian People's Aid can continue to cooperate with US authorities and institutions where there are no requirements that conflict with our values, or are incompatible with other work the organisation is engaged in.
-
-
Will other organizations take over the work?
-
We have reason to believe that some other mine and explosives clearance organisations will accept the new conditions and take over parts of the work. At the same time, Norwegian People's Aid has its own programmes, expertise and methods for which we are working to find new funding.
-
-
What is Norwegian People's Aid doing to limit the consequences?
-
We are working to find alternative funding for important programmes and to carry out the restructuring in the most responsible way possible. At the same time, around 60 per cent of mine and explosives clearance work will continue.
-
-
Why is this issue important beyond Norwegian People's Aid?
-
For Norwegian People's Aid, the case is about whether a donor should be able to make demands that affect an organization's values and work outside the projects the donor finances. Therefore, we perceive this as an important matter of principle about organizations' independence and room for manoeuvre.
-
