Introduction
FK Norway’s main strategy provides principal guidelines for how FK Norway is to achieve its goals and contribute to realising the FK Norway vision. In addition, FK Norway has a 3-year strategic development plan which outlines the measures that are to be taken every year. FK Norway’s work is authorized by Statutes passed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. FK Norway is financed via the Norwegian state budget.
1. Vision
FK Norway will contribute to making the world a better place for everyone, where basic human rights are fulfilled.
2. Values
FK Norway will base its work on the values equality, reciprocity, solidarity, diversity and transparency.
3. Goals
FK Norway will contribute to changes both in the South and in Norway
1. FK Norway will work for the permanent improvement of economic, social and political conditions for people in the south.
2. FK Norway will in Norway work to create enthusiasm, attitude changes and action as regards north-south relations.
4. Programme
FK Norway’s most important method is partnership. This means, exchange of people between cooperating institutions, organisations and businesses (hereinafter called institutions) in Norway and countries in the south, or between institutions in countries in the South.
FK Norway will as a facilitator of partnerships and networks create development of individuals, institutions and local communities. FK Norway’s programmes will contribute to achieve objectives in a variety of fields. The most important ones are:
§ To build capacity, competence and develop human capital in institutions
§ To increase the understanding between individuals, institutions and nations, the building of bridges and peace promotion
§ To promote global networking and increased strategic collaboration between institutions and individuals
§ To create willingness to change in favour of a more just world, through leadership training, individual competence building and international exposure.
5. Programme guidelines
FK Norway’s programmes consist of the following: FK Norway north-south, FK Norway south-south, and FK Norway-youth.
§ FK Norway will maintain a clear and visible youthful profile.
§ 90 % of all FK participants should be between 18-35 years.
§ The choice of programmes, sectors and themes for each partnership should as a general rule be in accordance with Norwegian development policies.
§ The diversity and concentration of FK Norway’s work should be balanced in light of:
→ FK Norway’s goals and the access of funding.
→ The partnerships’ choices of countries, sectors and themes.
→ Securing a wide geographical scope of partnerships in Norway.
§ FK Norway shall develop functional national networks, and professional meeting places for partners and participants in developing countries.
§ At least a 50 % share of FK Norway’s partner grants shall go to projects which involve the least developed countries (LCD countries).
§ FK Norway shall secure an equal share of women and men in the programmes.
§ FK Norway shall give space especially for partnerships and partners that are new to international development cooperation.
§ Some of FK Norway’s programmes should every year attempt to be experimental and innovative.
6. Quality assurance
FK Norway shall present itself as a learning organisation in constant development and improvement.
All FK Norway’s events, activities and functions will be subject to quality assurance. Important activities will be evaluated. Documentation and publishing of results and experiences will be emphasised.
7. Communication and exposure
FK Norway shall be an arena for information about global issues and north-south relations. FK Norway will be presented to the public as a separate niche in development cooperation, where partnership with reciprocal and exchange is the main method to reach FK Norway’s goals
FK Norway shall take on a particular responsibility to bring south perspectives into Norwegian development debate and information.
FK Norway shall actively support the millennium development goals’ campaign.
8. Growth and change
To reach its goals, FK Norway needs to grow significantly during the strategic period. This growth should be concentrated to FK Norway south-south and FK Norway-youth, and through developing a variety of meeting places for FK Norway partners and participants
9. South perspectives
South perspectives will be a trademark of FK Norway.
FK Norway is a unique organisation in relating to institutions and people in the South as equal partners. There will be a formal and real allocation of decision-making responsibility to the South.
FK Norway will continually attempt to introduce means and activities that will make voices from the South heard in the Norwegian public. FK Norway has a particular responsibility in making known that people from the South contribute with competence and perspectives that Norway need.
10. Organisation
FK Norway will be an innovative, non-bureaucratic, service-minded, enthusiastic and flexible organisation. FK Norway will continuously strive for higher competence and professionality.
At the Head office, good communication between management and employees will be emphasised, and also between the Head office and the regional offices in the South. FK Norway will be characterised by a company culture that promotes good relations and dynamics between the different parts of the organisation, in order to reach the goals set and maintain good ethical practice.
The FK Norway Board and management will continue to follow the changes in Norwegian and international development cooperation, and through own initiatives ensure innovation and development of FK Norway.
11. Networking and cooperation
The FK Norway participant shall be encouraged to continue his/her engagement, enlarge their professional competence and develop their human capital. FK Norway will facilitate conferences, seminars and meetings both in Norway and in the South, where former and present participants can meet.
FK Norway will strengthen the long-term achievements of its partners by participating in a variety of networks and strategic alliances. The partners shall be supported and encouraged to achieve sustainable competence upgrading and access to international arenas.
12. Evaluation/new strategy
FK Norway will by the end of the strategic period be evaluated and this will form the basis for the development of the FK Norway main strategy for the next 5-year period.