Due Diligence Account

This is PRIO’s annual due diligence account relating to fundamental human rights and decent working conditions, pursuant to Section 5 of the Norwegian Transparency Act, for the period of 1 January to 31 December 2023. The account was approved by the PRIO Board on 21 June and published on 27 June 2024.

About the Transparency Act

The Transparency Act entered into force 1 July 2022. Its full name is: “Act relating to enterprises’ transparency and work on fundamental human rights and decent working conditions”, and in Norwegian: “Lov om virksomheters åpenhet og arbeid med grunnleggende menneskerettigheter og anstendige arbeidsforhold”.

The Act shall promote enterprises’ respect for fundamental human rights and decent working conditions in connection with the production of goods and the provision of services and ensure the general public access to information regarding how enterprises address adverse impacts on fundamental human rights and decent working conditions.

The Act applies to larger enterprises that are resident in Norway and that offer goods and services in or outside Norway. The Act also applies to larger foreign enterprises that offer goods and services in Norway, and that are liable to tax to Norway pursuant to internal Norwegian legislation. For the purpose of this Act, larger enterprises mean enterprises that are covered by Section 1-5 of the Accounting Act, or that on the date of financial statements exceed the threshold for two of the following three conditions:

1. sales revenues: NOK 70 million
2. balance sheet total: NOK 35 million
3. average number of employees in the financial year: 50 full-time equivalents.

In line with the requirements of the Transparency Act, the enterprise shall publish an account of the due diligence assessments.

PRIO’s work with the Transparency Act

a) General Information

The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) is an independent, international research institute.

The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) was founded in 1959 with the purpose of conducting research on the conditions for peaceful relations among nations, groups and individuals. Since its founding, the Institute has played a central role in international efforts to develop peace research as an academic field. In addition to research and dissemination activities, the Institute undertakes training and teaching, and engages in dialogue activities. PRIO is an autonomous non-profit foundation.

PRIO has the following governing bodies: the Board, the Institute Director and the Institute Council. The Institute Council is an advisory body to the Board and the Director. The Institute Director is in charge of leading the activity of the Institute. The Board is PRIO’s supreme governing body with the overall responsibility for supervising the activities of the Institute in line with the regulations in PRIO’s Statutes, the Board Instructions and the Foundations Act.

PRIO is a leading actor within the field of peace research. The Institute has a world-wide academic audience and engages with policy makers, stakeholders and the general public in Norway and internationally. PRIO operates with a basic core grant from the Research Council of Norway. Other operating income is acquired through project funding from various national and international sources, including the Research Council of Norway, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and Sage Publications.

In 2023, PRIO had an average of 139 employees, comprising 100 full-time equivalents, whereas the total operating revenues amounted to NOK 177,5 million. At end 2023, the total balance stands at NOK 312,6 million, with an equity of NOK 177,4 million. As reflected in the Report from the Board for 2023 as part of the financial statements for 2023, the Institute assumes duty of compliance with the requirements of the Transparency Act.

PRIO’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Agenda is embedded in the Institute 2022-2025 Strategy. Furthermore, it is a strategic goal to consolidate and develop collaborations with research and higher education institutions and other partners in the Global South. PRIO’s ambition to sustain and develop a collegial and inclusive work environment and to continue to strive for international best practices in human resources remains a core element of the Institute’s strategy.

Inquiries to PRIO regarding information obligation and the Transparency Act are directed to: transparency@prio.org. The e-mail account is managed by the PRIO Administration. A response will be given within three weeks after the request has been received.

b) Adverse Impacts

PRIO is not aware of any actual adverse impacts on fundamental human rights and decent working conditions, nor significant risks of adverse impacts, linked to the Institute’s operations in 2023.

c) Measures

Respect for human rights and decent working conditions are at the core of PRIO’s values. Working to integrate these in our everyday activities is an ongoing process, which includes due diligence, mitigating activities where needed, and stakeholder engagement.

To safeguard research integrity, to protect against corruption, violation of human rights and law, PRIO has established Ethical Guidelines for External Funding and Funders. To enhance transparency in line with these guidelines, a list of PRIO’s Income Sources is published on our website annually.

PRIO engages in research collaboration worldwide. Ensuring that decent working conditions in line with standards prescribed by local legislation and the International Labour Organization is observed, due diligence is performed in the establishment of collaboration agreements with partners on research projects.

Reflecting PRIO’s values, PRIO’s Assets Management Strategy excludes actors that do not adhere to the ethical standards of the Government Pension Fund Global, UNPRI, SDG, or others incompatible with PRIO’s overall mission and purpose.

In the following, we will continue our work with the Transparency Act by developing guidelines and internal routines, anchoring due diligence responsibilities within the organization.

With the use of a risk-based approach, we will assess the risk of adverse effects on fundamental human rights and decent working conditions directly or indirectly caused by the Institute’s own activities or within the value chain. We will start by a systematic mapping of the Institute’s vendors. Based on the due diligence assessments, risk mitigation action plans will be developed.

We will raise due diligence awareness within the organization and the research sector, by engaging in discussions in relevant fora and networks.

Breach of fundamental human rights or decent working conditions will be registered and handled according to PRIO’s Guidelines for Reporting of Censurable Conditions (whistleblowing).

Oslo, 21 June 2024

The PRIO Board