Cuts to innovation and the green transition in the 2027 National Budget

We faced major cuts to our 2026 budget. None of these cuts will be reversed. In the 2026 national budget, the grant for environmental technology was reduced by NOK 72 million, and the Government is now proposing to discontinue the entire grant scheme. The Environmental Technology Scheme has provided grants for projects to develop, pilot and demonstrate new environmental technology.

‘The environmental technology grant has contributed to many new innovative and green solutions, such as electric ferries, emission-reduction measures in established industries and sensor-based solutions. Around 40 per cent of the funding has gone to startups. It has been a widely used and targeted scheme that has mobilised significant private capital. We are sorry that we will no longer be able to fund projects for entrepreneurs and established companies through this scheme,’ says Håkon Haugli, CEO of Innovation Norway.

The Government also proposes pausing the Green Platform scheme, which means there will be no calls for proposals in 2027. Green Platform is a collaboration between the Research Council of Norway, Siva and Innovation Norway that supports companies and research institutes working together on research- and innovation-driven green transformation in the business sector.

The Business Norway export mission

The government is launching ‘Business Norway’ in its proposed national budget, confirming our role as Norway’s official Trade Promotion Organisation (TPO). Our work to help more companies grow internationally will take place under the Business Norway umbrella within Innovation Norway. Several other countries promote their business sectors in a similar way, including Business Sweden, Business Finland, Business Iceland and Business France.

We are seeing increased demand for export services from companies looking to enter new markets and grow internationally.

‘In uncertain times, promoting trade and exports is more important than ever, both for individual companies and for Norway’s future competitiveness. Norway needs more companies that grow internationally,’ says Haugli.

Simplifying the business support system

The government outlines measures to streamline the business support system in the national budget.

‘We welcome any measures that make it easier for Norwegian businesses to access the support available to them from different organisations. We look forward to continuing our collaboration on this,’ says Håkon Haugli.