Background information

As a result of increased energy prices in the autumn 2021, the Norwegian government introduced a temporary electricity support scheme for households that compensate for extraordinarily high expenses for electricity consumption (see Case NO-2021-49/2321 ). In February 2022, a corresponding temporary scheme was established for sports teams and voluntary organisations with application for the period 1 December 2021 to 31 March 2022. On 1 April 2022, the government extended the scheme until March 2023. The government argued that for many sports teams and voluntary organisations, increased participation fees or reduced activity were the only way to increase income. To keep sport activities at present level, and to prevent participation fees to increase, the government introduced the support scheme.

Content of measure

The scheme for electricity support for sports teams and voluntary organisations is based on the same model as the electricity benefit scheme for households. The first part of the support scheme was introduced in February 2022, for the period 1 December 2021 to 31 March 2022. The grant was distributed to municipalities that had an average electricity price in December above NOK 0.7 (€0.07) per kWh. The municipalities were obliged to distribute the subsidy on to local teams and associations that experienced higher expenses as a result of the extraordinary electricity prices. The degree of compensation was set at the same level as the electricity allowance scheme for households, 55% of the electricity price above a threshold value of NOK 0.7 (€0.07) per kWh for December 2021 and 80% of the electricity price above a threshold value of NOK 0.7 (€0.07) per kWh for January–March 2022.

In April 2022 the scheme was extended until March 2023, and the government adopted new regulations for the distribution of the subsidy. In the period April 2022–March 2023, the grant scheme is managed by the Norwegian Lotteries and Foundations Authority. The organizations that qualify for grants can expect to receive support corresponding to 80% of electricity costs above NOK 0.7 (€0.07) per kWh based on the average price that month.

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Businesses that are registered in the Voluntary Register
• Businesses that are not in the Voluntary Register can apply if owners/members with decisive influence are registered in the Voluntary Register
• Other voluntary enterprises that are not covered under the two bullet points above, can receive support if the enterprise is mainly run by voluntary work and where there is no opportunity for private individuals or commercial enterprises to obtain financial benefits from the enterprise. Voluntary work should be understood as people who contribute without salary or other form of financial mutual consideration, neither now nor in the future.

Exempted from the scheme are non-profit organizations that deliver services on behalf of the public, like nurseries, childcare, schools, care homes and other health services.

The parliament has decided to allocate a total of NOK 480 million (€48 million) to the temporary subsidy scheme for voluntary organizations for the period until 31 March 2023.

Use of measure

Unknown.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Other businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Local / regional government Public support service providers	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement as case not in social partner domain	No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Social partners involvement is unknown. The measure is not in the social partner domain.

Views and reactions

No information on social partners' views.

Sources

• 04 February 2022: Sports teams and other voluntary organizations receive NOK 250 million in electricity support (www.regjeringen.no)
• 23 August 2022: Power support scheme for voluntary organisations (www.regjeringen.no)