Problems and Purpose
Norway is one of the richest countries in the world. At the same time, the world faces major problems such as climate change, loss of nature, war, and poverty. The choices Norwegians make about how national wealth is used—particularly through the Government Pension Fund Global (“Oil Fund”)—will have long‑term consequences for both current and future generations.
The core remit of Framtidspanelet was summed up in three questions:
- What considerations and values should guide our choices?
- Which problems in the world does Norway have particularly good reasons to help solve?
- How should the Government Pension Fund be used now and in the future?
The mission of the assembly was:
- To provide increased knowledge about Norway’s wealth and the global problems we face.
- To create recommendations on how wealth can be used to benefit the world, ourselves, and future generations.
- To start an open, knowledge‑based national conversation about these recommendations.
- To contribute to the further development of democracy in Norway
Background History and Context
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Framtidspanelet was commissioned by seven civil society organizations:
Save the Children
Norwegian Church Aid
LNU – The Norwegian Children and Youth Council
Caritas Norway
WWF Norway
Langsikt – the think tank for long‑term policy
The Future in Our Hands
These organizations formulated the remit but had no influence on the assembly’s internal deliberations or final recommendations.
They committed to:
- Participate in an open event where recommendations are presented and they give feedback.
- Plan and organize at least three events between May and October 2025 where recommendations are presented and discussed.
- Create an event around the recommendations at Arendal Week 2025.
- Present the recommendations in at least one seminar at Parliament.
- Work for press coverage of the recommendations.
- Publish the assembly’s unedited recommendations on their own websites
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Recruitment used a two‑stage democratic lottery:
Invitations
40,000 SMS and Digipost invitations were sent to randomly selected residents aged 18 and over.
3,785 people registered interest, a relatively high response that may indicate strong engagement with the questions posed.
Youth Recruitment
31 young people aged 16–18 signed up via a separate form circulated through selected schools across the country.
Stratified Selection
A stratified selection was carried out among all registrants (including 16–18‑year‑olds).
The final assembly consisted of 66 members, selected by sex, age, region, education level, and political position (based on 2021 voting results).
Travel, food, and accommodation for the two physical meetings were covered by the organizers, removing financial barriers to participation.
Methods and Tools Used
Framtidspanelet followed OECD guidelines for citizens’ assemblies and used a mix of in‑person and digital sessions.
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
Between January and April 2025, Framtidspanelet held eight working sessions, both digital and physical, designed to give members insight, reflection and time to work with dilemmas and solutions together.
14 January (digital) – Introduction to the assembly, the lottery selection, and the mandate; first reflections on Norway’s wealth and future.
1–2 February (physical) – Oslo weekend on Norway’s role in the world and ethical values; mapping dilemmas and responsibilities.
11 February (digital) – Deep dive into the Oil Fund’s history, ethics, and global influence.
6 March (digital) – Thematic group work on dilemmas, missing voices and perspectives, using lenses like responsibility, justice and solidarity.
15–16 March (physical) – Future visions and first recommendations; scenario building, group writing, and initial prioritization.
25 March (digital, open) – Public input session where preliminary recommendations were presented and guests gave feedback on each theme.
29 March (digital) – Writing workshop and prioritization, using a digital assessment round (“good as is”, “needs elaboration”, “should be cut”).
10 April (digital) – Final processing and consent; anonymous voting on all proposals, aiming for texts as many members as possible could support.
A ninth digital session on 26 August 2025 was scheduled for members to review feedback on the recommendations and agree on a joint statement to all political parties in the Norwegian Parliamen
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
The final report, The Citizens’ Assembly for Norway’s Future – a voice from the citizens, contains 19 recommendations grouped into five themes:
The Oil Fund – the people’s fund – a shared responsibility
Strengthen democracy, trust, and critical thinking
Show solidarity, take global responsibility, and promote cooperation
Prioritize sustainable development
A stronger Norway
Analysis and Lessons Learned
See Also
https://www.framtidspanelet.no/
https://www.knoca.eu/national-assemblies/norways-future-panel
