Norway Says «No» to Uncle Sam: Aid Giant Refuses €34m Deal Over Values Clash

Norsk Folkehjelp refuses U.S demands to abandon equality work, sacrificing 1,700 jobs and millions in funding. Inside the dramatic decision.

One of the world’s leading demining organisations has taken the extraordinary step of walking away from American funding rather than compromise its values — a decision that could cost it around €34 million a year (400 million NOK).

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), the humanitarian arm of Norway’s trade union movement, announced it is phasing out its cooperation with USAID, its largest partner in mine clearance work, after the US State Department introduced sweeping new demands on its partners.

Under the new rules, organisations are effectively barred from working on abortion access, gender equality or LGBTQ+ rights and crucially, the restriction applies not just to US-funded projects, but to everything the organisations do, including programmes funded entirely by other donors.

«I don’t want to compromise», said Raymond Johansen, Secretary General of NPA. «We operate under Norwegian law and Norwegian policy, we do not trade values for money».

The decision is not without risk. US funding currently accounts for roughly 40% of the budget for the organisation’s demining work, and losing it means losing crucial programmes in seven countries affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war.

«It is certainly dramatic to say no to this much funding,” said Mr Johansen. «But gender equality, human dignity and diversity are not threats, they are values that strengthen our work and make societies better. These are values we stand for, and we will not back down from them».

The humanitarian sector has been left reeling by the decision, with the organisation suggesting that Norway, which also funds rival demining operators, should take a firmer stance.

«We hope the Norwegian authorities, who today also fund our competitors, will set clear requirements for their partners», said Mr Johansen.