Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

Latest from Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

1. Guideline14 Oct 2026

   Outdoor recreation is to be safeguarded through municipal land-use planning, using green structure, zoning and state securing of areas

   • Municipalities are mainly responsible for protecting outdoor recreation areas through land-use planning. They should have one clear policy in the municipal plan, and many make separate plans for recreation and green areas.
   • Outdoor life close to home is a national priority. Research shows people are more active with green areas within about 500 metres of home. Municipalities should provide this in towns and cities.
   MunicipalitiesNaturePlan and area
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2. News article13 Oct 2026

   Oslo, Stavanger and Trondheim have approved climate contracts and take part in the EU mission for climate-neutral cities by 2030

   • Oslo, Stavanger and Trondheim were chosen by the European Commission to join the 'Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities' mission. It is one of five missions in the EU research programme Horizon Europe. 109 other European cities also take part, and all aim to be climate neutral by 2030.
   • The cities must write, sign and carry out a Climate City Contract. It sets out targets, action plans and an investment budget.
   ClimateEUMunicipalities
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3. Guidelines7 Oct 2026

   New 2027 guidelines: County Governors distribute discretionary grants to municipalities and must hold back 10 percent as a reserve

   • The 2027 guidelines are about discretionary grants. This is money for municipalities to cover local factors the normal funding system misses, unforeseen events and development. The ministry decides how much each county gets. County Governors then share it among municipalities.
   • Only municipalities can get discretionary funds from the County Governor. The money cannot pay for the County Governor's own operations. Ministry funds can go to municipalities and county authorities.
   MunicipalitiesNaturePreparedness
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4. Consultation paper7 Oct 2026

   Ministry proposes sharpening the Arktis 2030 grant scheme toward High North policy and narrowing who can apply

   • The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development wants to change the rules for the Arktis 2030 grant scheme. The proposal is out for consultation until 1 December 2026. The rules are planned to apply from 15 January 2027.
   • Parliament has moved business support to Innovation Norway. The Foreign Ministry's Arktis 2030 scheme has moved to this ministry. From 2026 it is one scheme. The ministry reserves the right to adjust if Parliament decides otherwise on the 2027 budget.
   BusinessForeign policyMunicipalities
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5. Press release7 Oct 2026

   Vestfold municipalities to get NOK 1.2 billion more in free income in 2027

   • The government proposes that municipalities get NOK 3.2 billion more to spend in 2027, beyond inflation. This follows very high growth in 2025 and 2026.
   • After covering higher costs from population changes, such as more older people, NOK 0.5 billion remains for municipalities to use more freely. This was announced earlier.
   MunicipalitiesPublic administration
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6. Press release7 Oct 2026

   Government proposes NOK 61 million extra for new housing and building directorate in 2027

   • The government wants to give the new housing and building directorate NOK 61 million extra in 2027. It starts on 1 January 2027, when Husbanken and the Building Quality Directorate merge.
   • NOK 10 million will make it easier and better to build homes. NOK 50 million is also set aside each year to make planning and building permits digital.
   Construction rulesDigitalisationHousing politics
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7. Press release7 Oct 2026

   Government proposes NOK 126.2 million for better control of real estate ownership

   • The government wants to spend NOK 126.2 million over two years to get a better picture of who owns real estate. In 2027 the amount is NOK 96.3 million.
   • The main measure lets private individuals register property rights electronically. Registration will also be required when companies that own property are restructured or closed down.
   Housing politicsNational securityPublic administration
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8. Press release7 Oct 2026

   Government proposes NOK 3.2 billion real growth in local government free income for 2027

   • The government proposes that municipalities and counties get NOK 3.2 billion more in 2027, beyond inflation. This comes after two years of very high income growth, 2025 and 2026.
   • Municipalities get NOK 2.6 billion of the increase and counties get NOK 600 million.
   MunicipalitiesPublic administration
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9. Press release7 Oct 2026

   Government proposes about NOK 2 billion for Sami purposes in 2027, including NOK 807 million for the Sámi Parliament

   • The government plans to spend about NOK 2 billion on Sami purposes in 2027. This is part of the proposed state budget.
   • The Sámi Parliament gets NOK 807 million of this.
   CultureDiscriminationPublic administration
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10. Press release7 Oct 2026

    State Budget 2027 gives Agder municipalities NOK 1.28 billion more in free income

    • The government wants to raise municipalities' free income by NOK 3.2 billion above inflation in 2027. This follows very strong growth in 2025 and 2026.
    • After higher costs from demographic change are paid for, NOK 0.5 billion remains for municipalities to use. This was announced earlier.
    MunicipalitiesPublic administration
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