KS in English

The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) is the organisation for all local governments in Norway. KS is Norway’s largest public employer organisation.

About KS

The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) is the organisation for all local governments in Norway. All municipalities and county councils are members.

Status quo 2019 -the local government sector in Norway

The population in Norway is 5.25 million, in which over half a million work in the local government sector. In 2020, after the newly initiated local government renewal reform, Norway will have 356 municipalities and 11 regional county councils.

Local government reforms in Norway

119 municipalities are merging to 47 and 19 county councils become 11. In 2020, Norway will have 356 municipalities and 11 regions.

Roles and responsibilities in the national crisis

Civil protection work in Norway is based on the principles of equality, proximity, responsibility and cooperation. This applies to both national and municipal emergency preparedness.

The consultation scheme

KS and the central government agree on the need for good dialogue between the state- and local government sectors. Therefore, there are regular consultative meetings.

Participation in EU programmes 2021-2027

KS places international collaboration high on the agenda. Norwegian local governments report that participation in EU programmes is significant for their development, especially when it comes to sharing practice and creating collective solutions.

How does KS work with digitisation?

KS wants to improve municipal services by assembling the sectors’ work on digitisation. This work is conducted in four ways. First, KS promotes the interests of local governments to national decision makers.

The elected officials training programme

The purpose of this programme is to support elected officials in Norwegian local governments to fulfil their role in the best manner. All municipalities, county councils and district committees are offered the programme during each election period.

Employees in the Norwegian local government sector

Three out of four employees in municipalities and county municipalities are women. Women earn about 94 percent of men's wages, which has increased by two percentage points over the last ten years.

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