Oikos was founded on  the 3rd of September 2000 as three former organisations working with organic production merged into one. The aim was to establish one organic movement and strengthen the organic voice into the Norwegian landscape of politics, economics and social life. Today, Oikos is the only organisation representing organic producers and consumers, except for Demeter Norway. However, we cooperate closely, and Demeter Norway is represented in Oikos through a board member in the National Board of Oikos.

An Annual General Meeting consisting of members from all over the country makes desicions about economy, main tasks and commitments the following year. A National Board is also elected, which is responsible for the organisation between the annual meetings. The leader of the National Board is Mr. Kristen Ulstein, ku@oikos.no. Oikos has 2000 members in 2009.

The country is divided into regions. Accordingly Oikos has eight regional groups which work closely with county authorities and other stakeholders in the region. On the local level, 25-30 smaller, local groups give the organisation activity and visibility in communities all over the country. All the work in regional- and local groups are mostly done voluntarily.

Oikos' main office is located in Oslo and has an administrative staff of seven people. The Secretary General is Mr. Reidar Andestad, reidar@oikos.no. We also have staff working on projects and in our magazines. The total number of employees is eleven.

Oikos publishes a magazine: Ren Mat (Eng.: Pure food) a magazine for ecology, food and environment (www.oikos.no/renmat).

Oikos is a non-profit, idealistic organisation and a member of

IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) 

ForUM (Forum for Development and Environment),

The Royal Norwegian Society for Development (Norges Vel) and

IEH (Ethical Trading Initiative Norway).


Activities
Oikos runs a handfull of projects in addition to political lobbying and meetings with stakeholders in the food-sector and the agricultural sector.

Our main projects or participation in projects:

1) Demos by organic farmers and others with knowledge about organic agreiculture in food stores, and visibility in Coop`s food stores (Oikos in cooperation with Coop, Tine, Gilde, Prior and Sunt og Godt). Contact: kersti@oikos.no

2) Organic food at festivals in Norway. Coordinating and helping festivals to offer organic food at their arrangements (Oikos). Contact: idun@oikos.no

3) Organic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa - ODISSA (Oikos). Contact: maiken@oikos.no

4) Organic farming and climate change project (Oikos). Contact: berit@oikos.no

5) Developing CSA-systems (Community Supported Agriculture) in Norway (Norges Vel in cooperation with SIFO, Oikos and Grønn Hverdag). contact

6) Database of organic production i Norway for consumers (Oikos). Contact: info@oikos.no

Text: Maiken Pollestad Sele


Contact information
Oikos
Grensen 9b
NO-0159 Oslo
Norway

Telephone: (+47) 23 10 96 40
Fax: (+47) 23 10 96 41

E-mail: info@oikos.no
Website: http://www.oikos.no/

Office hours:
Mon-Fri: 09.00.-16.00.

History and structure