Our non-profit objectives

Norges Vel (The Royal Norwegian Society for Development) is an independent non-profit organisation that strives to promote the development of thriving local communities in Norway and abroad. Business development related to nature and culture, dissemination of knowledge and organisation are common threads throughout our long history.

Norges Vel has worked with international development cooperation for 40 years, and unlike many other non-profit organisations with a clear focus on business development. We strive to organise and develop efficient modern value chains for agricultural and marine business development. The goal is to ensure that organised small-scale producers will gain a larger share of value creation by refining their products to a greater extent and linking their operations to local, regional and international markets.

All of Norges Vels' projects support the Sustainability Development Goals

Through the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, the international community aims to end poverty and all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, making sure all people have sufficient and nutritious food all year. This involves promoting sustainable agricultural, supporting small-scale farmers and equal access to land, technology and markets.

Investing in rural people is the most effective means of reducing poverty

The majority of the world’s poor live in rural areas. An estimated 3 billion people – around 40 per cent of the global population – live in the rural areas of developing countries. Most depend on small, family farms for their income and sustenance. Rural people grow the food that feeds their nations, but they are also disproportionately poor: 80 per cent of the women, children and men living in extreme poverty live in rural areas, not cities.

Investing in rural people is a long-term solution to so many of the problems we face today. Growth in agriculture remains in general two to three times more effective at reducing poverty than an equivalent amount of growth generated in other sectors.

Due to population growth, the world will have to produce 60 per cent more food by 2050. The population of Africa south of the Sahara is expected to double from 1 to 2 billion by 2050.

Knowledge sharing and cooperation are keys to success

Norges Vel is extensively involved in building hubs of expertise and developing partner organisations. The goal is to enable our partners to take over operations, creating progress in their own countries and regions.

We believe in cooperation, partnership and good processes as a platform for success

Together with our donors, local partners and relevant research groups and hubs of expertise, we have the knowledge, experience and networks to make our development projects successful. We believe in cooperation, partnership and good processes as a platform for success. This is at the very core of our commitment and identity.