The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) is a directorate under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In matters regarding Norway's International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), Norad reports to the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment. Norad's functions are laid down in the agency's terms of references and annual letters of allocation issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Norad works to ensure effective foreign aid, with quality assurance and evaluation. Norad finances NGOs and does its own research and projects. The current director general is Bård Vegar Solhjell. Norad used to be the official development assistance organization in Norway. As of mid-2004, the responsibility for state-to-state official development assistance has been transferred to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Norad continues to fund NGO activities in developing countries, contributes to the management of development funds and endeavours to ensure that the Norwegian development cooperation is evaluated and efficient. Organization Norad consists of the following departments: Director General's Office Department for Climate, Energy, Environment and Research Department for Education and Global Health Department for Economic Development, Gender and Governance Civil Society Department Department for Quality Assurance Department for Communication Department of Human Resources and Administration Evaluation Department Finances Norway granted NOK 36.6 billion in development assistance in 2016, corresponding to 1.11 per cent of Norway's gross national income (GNI). According to the OECD, 2020 official development assistance from Norway increased 8.4% to USD 4.2 billion. Employees Director General, Bård Vegar Solhjell Director of Communications, Eva Bratholm References External links Agency official homepage International development agencies Foreign relations of Norway Development Cooperation 1968 establishments in Norway Government agencies established in 1968