How to find a Norwegian project partner

Finding the right Norwegian partner under the EEA Culture Programmes is about building a real and relevant collaboration. A partner should contribute actively to the project, not simply fulfilling a formal requirement.

What a real partnership means

A strong partnership is based on shared interests, clear roles, and mutual benefit. Both partners should contribute meaningfully to the project’s development and implementation.

What Norwegian organisations look for

Norwegian organisations will often look for

• a clear and relevant project idea
• a meaningful role for the Norwegian partner
• mutual benefit for both sides
• early contact and genuine dialogue
• evidence of capacity and reliability

Our best advice 

Use your network. Start early. Build the project together. Existing contacts are often the best place to start. Reach out early, be clear about what you are looking for, and invite potential partners to shape the project with you.

Use our partner search form when you contact potential partners. It gives a clear and structured idea of your organisation and project idea.

Be aware that during summer and holidays things slow down and it might take time to get a response.

What often weakens a request

Requests are often less effective when they are too general or unclear about why a Norwegian partner is relevant, vague about the partner’s role, or sent very close to the deadline. It can also weaken a request if there is little information about the applicant’s experience, capacity, project idea, or thematic scope.

What Arts and Culture Norway can do

Arts and Culture Norway can offer guidance, share information and, when possible, point applicants towards relevant contacts in Norway. However, we cannot guarantee a partner, review the full application, or carry out individual partner searches on behalf of each applicant.

Partner search form 

Fill in our form and we will use it as a tool for our recommendations to you. The form provides us with important information about your organisation, your project idea and what kind of partner profile you are looking for in Norway.

We cannot assist you unless you have completed the form in advance.