Local Public Finance and Organization

In our research group we work with the financing and organization of the local public sector. In Norway, there are three levels of political administration: the national level, 11 counties and 356 municipalities.

The Norwegian municipalities are responsible for a range of services, spanning from primary education, child care, elderly care and primary health care to water supply, renovation and municipal roads. Most of the municipal revenues are distributed as block grants and regulated taxes from the national level.

We provide research and research-based knowledge to municipalities and counties on subjects like local public financing and spending, service organization, municipal mergers and cooperation and demographic trends. We also provide policy relevant research on subjects within fiscal federalism and local public organizations.

Our clients include ministries, the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS), county administrations, inter-municipal cooperative bodies, municipalities and counties.