Instrument for Investment and Development in Agriculture
The IBU funds are a politically governed instrument managed by Innovation Norway. The purpose of the IBU funds is to support the development of new business activities on agricultural properties, as well as the development and modernization of traditional agriculture. When allocating funds, key criteria include facilitating long-term and profitable value creation, employment, settlement, and a diverse agricultural sector across all parts of the country. The budget has more than doubled since 2014, from NOK 528 million to NOK 1,312.5 million for 2026.
Are the funds being used as intended?
In this evaluation, we take a closer look at whether the IBU funds have been used as intended during a period of adjustments to the IBU instrument and significant changes in the framework conditions for Norwegian agricultural policy. The project will examine the scheme’s various objectives, design, efficiency, results, and impacts, as well as any need for changes.
In the project we will:
- Discuss the achievement of the IBU instrument’s objectives, including results and impacts for farmers, agricultural policy, and society.
- Describe and assess how the design and administration of the IBU funds work and how they might be made more efficient.
- Develop well-founded proposals and recommendations for improving the IBU instrument, both in terms of its purpose and its administration.
Methodological triangulation
The complexity of these questions makes it necessary to use multiple perspectives, methods, and data sources to address the evaluation questions. The project employs thorough document studies, analysis of data on developments among recipients of grants, as well as a large number of interviews with various stakeholders about their experiences with the scheme and its role in agricultural policy. These methods will cover allocations for the development of new, farm-based business activities and for the development of traditional agricultural production.
Header photo: Haugset/SINTEF