Cindy Robles

Input to the strategy for Norway's cooperation with the World Bank

Norway should see its cooperation with the World Bank, particularly IDA, as more than an aid tool - it should be part of our long-term strategy to contribute to a stable and resilient world with less inequality and less poverty. Here are nine inputs on how.

Input to Development Minister in Light of Global Aid Cuts

Global aid cuts must have consequences for Norwegian priorities.

The world's best insurance: How investments in global health security protect both Norway and the world

It's time to treat health as security policy.

Climate Investment Fund should be scaled up without Ministry of Finance as brake

Parliament has asked the government to strengthen the Climate Investment Fund, but the way it is done is crucial. The Treasury Department should not stand in the way.

Welcome as new NORAD Director

You can make Norwegian aid even better. Here are 10 suggestions on how.

Budgets reveal: So little is passed on to local partners

We have looked at the budgets of Norad's twelve largest partners in Norway. The proportion transferred to local partners is disappointingly low.

Children need education, but do they need their own education funds?

Nine aid leaders warn of cuts in support for education funds because education is important. But an important purpose does not make all remedies equally good. What if other measures can produce better results?

Better aid for a changed world: 100-day plan for new government

How to organize Norwegian aid? Part 4 of 4.

From words to action: Locally led development in Norwegian civil society support

How to organize Norwegian aid? Part 3 of 4.

Everyone wants more, but who needs the assistance the most?

The reactions to Long Sight's cut proposals illustrate why they are needed.

Will the MDG falter in the fight for locally led development?

The Minister of Development will strengthen civil society in developing countries through Norwegian organisations. At the same time, the MDGs programme committee has proposed rejecting the proposal on locally led development, which will be debated and voted on at the party's national meeting on Friday.

Time for reprioritization

How to free up room for action in Norwegian aid after US cuts

Input to Meld. St. on Peace and Conflict Resolution

In the report to the Storting on peace and conflict resolution, expected in August 2025, the think-tank Long Term below has answered two indicative questions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Norwegian aid management should be streamlined

How to organize Norwegian aid? Part 2 of 4.

Dear Minister of Development: -- The answer to USAID cuts should be increased support for IDA

Senior Adviser Cindy Robles writes this post as an open letter to our Minister of Development: “The World Bank accepts extraordinary contributions at any time, so I hereby challenge you: Will you strengthen the aid superhero through an extraordinary contribution to IDA?”

Leadership in crisis: a Nordic counter-reaction to Trump

With cuts to USAID, the world needs greater and more effective investments in sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Criticism must be based on facts to contribute to improvement

A former aid adviser criticizes both aid organizations, Norad and Long Term for defending themselves rather than providing answers. But without truthful stories, there is little to answer.

Have we reached “peak aid”?

The United States and several European countries are turning their backs on the world. Is this the beginning of the end for aid as we know it?

Aftenposten prevents an enlightened aid debate

Shutting down aid is as knowledgable as shutting down health care.

Improving the efficiency of Norwegian aid through the UN and the World Bank

In 2023, 31.7 billion Norwegian kroner (54% of Norway's aid budget) was allocated through multilateral organizations, with the UN system and the World Bank Group being the two main recipients. This note presents recommendations to the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Norad on how the foreign service can become a more effective and coordinated donor to Norway's largest partners. We focus on the UN system and the World Bank in this first note of the series.