Norad Oceans Thematic Portfolio

Enriched bilateral · Found: 2026-05-06 11:52

Norad oceans portfolio working towards clean, healthy ocean and sustainable ocean economy. Objectives include: marine litter prevention, sustainable fisheries, marine ecosystem protection, effective governance.

Source: https://www.norad.no/en/for-partners/partner/norads-thematic-portfolios/oceans/

Funding Details

Funder

Norad

Funding Goal

Contribute to a clean and healthy ocean and a sustainable and equitable ocean economy. The portfolio coordinates Norwegian development assistance across seven objectives spanning marine ecosystem protection, ocean governance, community access to ocean resources, prevention of illegal fishing and environmental crime, marine litter reduction, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and ocean economy development.

Funding Amount

This is a portfolio management page — not a direct funding call. Individual grant amounts are announced through separate calls for proposals under this portfolio. The Marine Litter programme under this portfolio has a NOK 1 billion ambition for 2025-2028.

Deadline

Unknown (portfolio overview page, not a direct call — individual calls have their own deadlines) (Unknown)

How to Apply

This page describes the portfolio framework, not a specific open call. Specific calls are published at https://www.norad.no/en/for-partners/guides-and-tools/calls-for-proposals2/ and on the Grants Portal (grants.mfa.no). Contact the Section for Oceans at hav@norad.no for information on upcoming calls.

Target Region

Developing countries globally, with particular focus on ocean-dependent communities in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Pacific regions.

Contact

Section for Oceans, Norad. Email: hav@norad.no

Last Checked

2026-05-06 11:55

Application Checklist

Project Scope

• Projects must address ocean issues in developing countries and align with at least one of the seven portfolio objectives
• Marine litter and plastic pollution projects may apply under the Marine Litter Programme (separate call)
• Fisheries, aquaculture, ocean governance, and blue economy projects are within portfolio scope

Required Documents

• Contact hav@norad.no (Section for Oceans) to inquire about upcoming calls under this portfolio

Constraints

• This is a portfolio framework page — check grants.mfa.no or norad.no/calls for active funding calls under this portfolio

Summary

The Norad Oceans Thematic Portfolio is a strategic framework document describing how Norway's bilateral development assistance addresses ocean-related challenges in developing countries. This page provides the overarching structure and theory of change guiding all Norwegian ocean-focused development aid administered through Norad. The portfolio has seven strategic objectives: (1) protecting marine ecosystems and making them climate resilient while minimising degradation; (2) ensuring effective and inclusive governance at global, regional, and national levels for sustainable ocean management; (3) providing communities with equitable access to ocean resources and safeguarding rights and benefits; (4) monitoring and preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and environmental crime; (5) preventing and significantly reducing marine litter in developing countries while improving land-based waste management; (6) ensuring sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture with equitable access for small-scale stakeholders; and (7) supporting businesses and jobs that contribute to ocean economy solutions and climate adaptation. Thematically, the portfolio covers marine conservation, fisheries, aquaculture, marine litter and plastic pollution, ocean governance, blue economy, coastal communities, and climate resilience. The portfolio is anchored in a theory of change published in April 2025 that defines the assumptions behind Norway's ocean development strategy. Portfolio management aims to ensure Norwegian aid is used strategically and evidence-based. This page itself is not a grant application portal but rather the thematic framework under which specific calls are issued. The Marine Litter Programme (Phase 2, 2025-2028, NOK 1 billion ambition) is the largest active programme under this portfolio. Other calls for fisheries, aquaculture, ocean governance, and blue economy may be issued under this framework. Organisations interested in funding should monitor the Norad calls page and the Grants Portal at grants.mfa.no, or contact hav@norad.no for information on upcoming opportunities.

Historical Context

Norad launched its thematic portfolio management approach to improve the effectiveness of Norwegian development assistance by viewing related initiatives in context. The Oceans portfolio was published in June 2025. The portfolio is guided by a theory of change (April 2025) which sets out assumptions about what works to achieve a healthy ocean and sustainable ocean economy. The Norwegian development programme to reduce plastic pollution and marine litter (Phase 2, 2025-2028, NOK 1 billion) is one major programme under this portfolio.

Why it was added

discovered from funder #412: Norad — thematic portfolio page

Sources

• https://www.norad.no/en/for-partners/partner/norads-thematic-portfolios/oceans/
• https://www.norad.no/en/for-partners/partner/norads-thematic-portfolios/
• https://www.norad.no/en/for-partners/guides-and-tools/calls-for-proposals2/

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