Background information

The increasing food prices and high electricity costs have left many people in a difficult situation and in need of assistance. The government expected that most of the funding would go to measures aimed at families with children or children and young people, the Minister for Children and Families, Kjersti Toppe (Center Party) said.

Several of the voluntary organisations that were supported organise alternative Christmas celebrations and social activities during the holiday. Some of the organisations also provide help during Christmas by giving out food boxes and gifts for children. Part of the support from the government was allocated to the Food Central (Matsentralen), which is a network of eight food centres around Norway. They are redistributing surplus food from the food industry to non-profit organizations that help people who need food.

Content of measure

The extraordinary allocation of NOK 20 million (€2 million), granted by the government to voluntary organisations that provide food and help to disadvantaged groups. The funds were distributed to the following organisations under three measures:

Inclusion of children and young people

• Salvation Army (NOK 2 million - €200,000)
• Blue Cross (NOK 2 million - €200,000)
• Red Cross (NOK 2 million - €200,000)
• The Church City Mission (NOK 2 million - €200,000)

Measures for vulnerable groups

• The Norwegian Church (NOK 4 million - €400,000)
• The Council for Religious and Life Stance Communities in Norway (NOK 1.75 million - €175,000)
• Muslim Dialogue Network (NOK 0.75 million - €75,000)
• Christian Council of Norway (NOK 0.5 million - €50,000)

Extra allocation to the food centres (NOK 5 million - €500,000)

Use of measure

No information on the use of the measure.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	People on low incomes

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Other social actors (e.g. NGOs)	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

No involvement of social partners.

Views and reactions

The view of the social partners is unknown.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 19 November 2022: The government gives an extra NOK 20 million to organisations (www.regjeringen.no)