My name is Åse Rage and I have been an intern in the Strategy and Communication department at Norfund. I have learned so much about the world of development finance, and I am super excited to continue in Norfund as an analyst.

The first weeks

I have a background in Political Science at the University of Oslo, and came straight from Copenhagen where I worked as an intern in the Norwegian Embassy. I have previously worked with global energy systems, sustainable development and public affairs, but the finance aspect was completely new to me. Therefore, it has been of great value to learn how investments in private capital serves as an efficient and impactful way to foster long term development in and speed up the net zero transition in developing countries.

During the Norfund Week we gained insight about Norfund’s work, values and investment dilemmas, which laid a solid foundation for the rest of our internships. We also got to know people from across the entire organization and learn about their cultures. It didn’t take long before I felt truly at home.

Strategy and communication

After receiving the necessary training in various systems and tools, I became involved in different strategic projects as well as Norfund’s daily operations. Our department leads development and implementation of different strategies, analysis of development effects, additionality, gender and climate, and external communications. I worked mostly with stakeholder relations, which included civil society, politicians, journalists, businesses and the MFA. Writing about lots of different investments was a great way to dive into interesting aspects of Norfund’s work. I also managed the intern project, where we investigated how Norfund best could benefit from implementing AI in our daily work.

The internship experience

Being an intern at Norfund for the last five months has been beyond all expectations, and I have learned so much more than anticipated. One of the best aspects of working in Norfund has been collaborating with a team of experienced, goal-oriented, and passionate colleagues. Despite the size of the organization and and the 25 different nationalities, there is a really strong sense of a common goal. This is of course due to the important mandates, but also because of the unique work culture here at Norfund.

My name is Florian, and I have been an intern in Norfund’s Strategy Department in 2023. Driven by a keen interest in developmental finance and seeking international work experience, I found Norfund to be the ideal place to work. It offered insights into sustainable investment practices and a unique work culture, providing valid reasons to move to Oslo. This text is a reflection of my experiences and learnings during my time at Norfund and hopefully sheds some light on how it is being an intern at Norfund.

The Internship Experience

I am originally from Germany and have studied international business administration at WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management. During my gap year between Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees, my interest in impact investing, fueled by several initiatives at my university, led me to join Norfund.

Once there, I quickly became involved in various strategic projects, with a primary focus on climate. A key responsibility of mine was to ensure that Norfund’s new investments were Paris aligned. Put simply, this means ensuring the investments are consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to combat climate change and prevent its most severe impacts, particularly by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. This task required the integration of these climate criteria into the organization’s investment process. The work culture at Norfund allowed me to shape my work independently, providing a challenging and highly rewarding learning experience.

Beyond my core tasks revolving around climate, I was able to gain insights on various other subjects. One of such projects was the intern project centered around Artificial Intelligence. This project was a refreshing change from my everyday responsibilities and enabled us interns to better connect with each other.

Culture at Norfund

Speaking of connecting with other interns, the most unique aspect of Norfund is likely the organization’s culture and its positive impact it has on both personal well-being and productivity. Right at the beginning, one was immersed by the culture with a New Joiners weekend at a cabin in the mountains and the ‘Norfund Week’. This event gathered employees from around the globe, offering an unparalleled opportunity to engage with a diverse and international community. It broadened my horizons significantly, giving me contacts and perspectives from all over the world. Next to these events, one could experience the culture daily, with a general curiosity among everyone about each other’s interests, regardless of whether you are upper management or an intern.

Social Life and Integration

Living in Oslo as a foreigner, the workplace became my primary social hub, which may sound less appealing at first. However, my colleagues were incredibly welcoming, ensuring that I never felt isolated in a new city. We bonded over weekend trips, hikes, regular sauna visits, and, notably, the quintessential Oslo tradition of a Friday morning fjord swim, even in the coldest winter – a cultural experience I wholeheartedly embraced.

Extending the Journey

As my internship neared its end, I decided to extend my stay for a few more months before moving on with my gap year and studying. This period allowed me to delve deeper into my projects and solidify the relationships I’d built. The experience at Norfund was nothing short of amazing, leaving me with not just professional knowledge and experience but also a wealth of cultural insights and memories from my time in Oslo. Norfund has shown me how work can be both enjoyable, intellectually stimulating and profoundly impactful, setting a high bar for my future career pursuits.