Norway is increasing its support for organisations that advance LGBTQ+ rights, focusing on combating violence and discrimination. Norad has entered new agreements with the Norwegian organisation FRI and international actors including Front Line Defenders, Outright International, and Synergia to strengthen global efforts.
In recent years, several countries have introduced laws that criminalise or restrict LGBTQ+ rights, while multiple reports indicate a rise in violence and harassment. In some regions, one in three LGBTQ+ individuals report experiencing physical or psychological violence, and most face discrimination that limits access to work, education, and health services. Norway aims to respond to this global trend by supporting organisations on the frontline of these issues.
The strengthened effort, part of Norway’s Revised National Budget, includes an additional NOK 20 million to enhance visibility, protection, and international cooperation for LGBTQ+ rights. Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust highlighted Norway’s responsibility to uphold these values, while Zenia Chrysostomidis, Head of Norad’s Section for Human Rights and Civil Society, emphasised that defending LGBTQ+ rights is essential to defending core human rights.
Support initiatives involve engagement with the UN, regional human rights bodies, religious leaders, and national authorities in regions where LGBTQ+ persons are particularly vulnerable. A significant portion of the funding is directed to local organisations leading advocacy efforts in their own countries, ensuring that both Norwegian and international actors can continue critical work in promoting LGBTQ+ rights.
The agreements cover FRI, Front Line Defenders, Outright International, and Synergia, with Norad managing the collaborations. The funding prioritises three key areas: rapid and flexible support to LGBTQ+ organisations affected by funding cuts, increasing operating space for human rights defenders (including LGBTQ+ individuals themselves), and supporting normative work that highlights the consequences of violence and discrimination.
In the 2026 national budget, Norway has allocated an additional NOK 12.4 million to further strengthen global protection and advocacy for LGBTQ+ communities, reflecting a sustained commitment to defending human rights worldwide.
