NGI extends partnership with Engineers Without Borders (IUG) for two more years

The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) conducts research and develops solutions for society to ensure that we build, live, and travel on safe ground. Since 2016, the collaboration with IUG has been a central part of NGI's commitment to promoting societal development and sustainable solutions.

“The partnership with Engineers Without Borders is important for NGI. As one of the main partners, we provide financial support and contribute engineering expertise in IUG's missions for aid organizations. NGI specialists who carry out IUG missions abroad use their technical backgrounds to make a difference in other people's lives. At the same time, the partnership strengthens the professional development of NGI employees and contributes to continuous skill enhancement,” says Wang.

She emphasizes that the business community's collaboration and contribution to an organization like IUG are particularly crucial now, as international politics and relations are changing.

“In a time when aid funds are being heavily cut, the contribution and support from the business community will be especially important,” says Wang.

Crucial business support

IUG states that the backing they receive from partners like NGI is crucial for their ongoing work. They notice that both large and small organizations are now being affected by cuts in agreed program support, and that announced funds are being withdrawn.

“This is on top of an unstable global economy, where price increases in many of the countries we work in have been significant. In this situation, the backing we have from a globally engaged Norwegian business community is crucial for us to maintain our position – and continue to provide technical support in important projects,” says Heidi Hovland Bergfald, Communications Manager at Engineers Without Borders.

In addition to the financial support, IUG highlights the importance of access to expertise in sustainability and technology for their collaboration with NGI.

“We are proud of the partnership with NGI. Our projects have frequently benefited greatly from the expertise of NGI employees, both in assignments and in professional group work here in Norway,” says Bergfald.

From Colombia to Uganda

“Through the partnership, NGI employees have the opportunity to contribute their time and expertise to solve tasks and projects with great significance for local communities in low- and middle-income countries. For NGI researcher and IUG mentor Nellie Sofie Body, who was scheduled to go on an assignment for IUG's Master with Meaning program at the Refugee Council office in Bogota, Colombia, changes in U.S. aid policy had immediate consequences for her and the master's students she mentors, leading to a change in the destination.”

“The fact that Trump almost overnight cut USAID has had significant consequences for several of Engineers Without Borders' partners in the field,” confirms Bergfald.

Originally, Body was supposed to mentor master's students Branny Lin and Ragnhild Bodsberg from NTNU in their fieldwork in Colombia. Now, the destination has changed to Uganda, where the students will focus on the Refugee Council's tools for informing, communicating, and assisting refugees on the move, Digital Community Hubs.