Omstilling i Vestre Varanger

Vestre Varanger Utvikling AS (VVU) runs an "omstillingsprogram" (restructuring and development programme) for the four municipalities of Berlevåg, Båtsfjord, Tana and Nesseby. The programme's own guidelines describe it as "en ekstraordinær innsats for kommuner og regioner hvor det lokale næringslivet forvitrer eller blir kraftig bygget ned" (an extraordinary effort for municipalities and regions where local business is withering or being heavily wound down). The stated main goal ("hovedmålet") is "å bidra til å sikre og skape 200 lønnsomme arbeidsplasser" (to help secure and create 200 profitable jobs) in the four municipalities. VVU states that the programme "finansieres av kommunene og Finnmark fylkeskommune" (is financed by the municipalities and Finnmark county).

The guidelines set out four focus areas ("innsatsområder"): "Bærekraftig næringsutvikling og diversifisering" (sustainable business development and diversification), "Kompetanse og entreprenørskap" (competence and entrepreneurship), "Infrastruktur og rammebetingelser" (infrastructure and framework conditions), and "Attraktivitet og identitet" (attractiveness and identity).

On the budget, the guidelines state: "Det legges til grunn at Vestre Varanger Utvikling AS har 90 millioner kroner til disposisjon for omstillingsarbeid, jevnt fordelt per år i perioden 2026 – 2031." (It is assumed that Vestre Varanger Utvikling AS has 90 million kroner available for restructuring work, evenly distributed per year in the 2026–2031 period.)

VVU states that "bedrifter, gründere, organisasjoner og samarbeidsprosjekter" (businesses, entrepreneurs, organisations and collaborative projects) may apply. The funds are mainly for "forstudier" (feasibility studies — early clarification of ideas, market opportunities and feasibility) and "forprosjekter" (pre-projects — planning and development before a larger main project), and only exceptionally for "hovedprosjekter" (main projects).

On grant amounts ("Støttebeløp"), the guidelines say that as a general rule it may give "Inntil kr. 150 000 til forstudier" (up to 150,000 kroner for feasibility studies) and "Inntil kr. 500 000 til forprosjekter" (up to 500,000 kroner for pre-projects). "I særlige tilfeller kan det gis mellom 500 000 og 1 000 000 kroner til forprosjekter" (in special cases a pre-project may receive between 500,000 and 1,000,000 kroner) where the project has a significant expected employment effect, a clear leverage effect on private capital, a regional collaboration dimension, and is in line with the current action plan.

On funding rates ("Støtteandel"), feasibility studies "kan gis inntil 60% av godkjente kostnader" (may be given up to 60% of approved costs) and pre-projects "inntil 50% av godkjente kostnader" (up to 50% of approved costs). A "samarbeidsbonus" (collaboration bonus) of up to 20% may be added "når flere bedrifter inngår i samarbeid" (when several companies enter into collaboration).

The guidelines also list what the funds may not be used for ("Midlene skal ikke benyttes til"), including ordinary municipal operating and administrative tasks, ordinary operating tasks at private businesses, crisis assistance to distressed companies, the municipal first-line business advisory service, "investeringer i aksjer, utlån eller eierskap i kommersielle selskaper" (investments in shares, loans or ownership in commercial companies), and easily resellable operating equipment. All support is given "innenfor gjeldende EØS-regelverk for offentlig støtte, herunder regelverket for bagatellmessig støtte" (within the applicable EEA rules for public aid, including the rules on de minimis aid).

To apply, applicants use VVU's templates and send their application to post@vestrevaranger.no. VVU states that "Søknader om midler til forstudier blir behandlet fortløpende" (applications for feasibility-study funds are processed continuously), while pre-project applications are decided at board meetings — at the time of writing the next board meeting was 26 August 2026 with applications due before 14 August 2026, and the meeting after that in October 2026. The site offers two application templates and the guidelines document for download (see documents). The contact named is programme director Morten Andersen (morten@vestrevaranger.no, +47 477 16 235). An applicant may appeal a decision within three weeks, and the appeal body is VVU's board. The guidelines were adopted in February 2026.