Bellona faces bankruptcy unless it secures emergency funding

The Norwegian environmental organization Bellona will file for insolvency unless it raises 8 million kroner by next Monday, founder Frederic Hauge confirmed to Dagbladet on Monday.

“We will go bankrupt if we fail to secure the funds,” Hauge said, calling the situation “utterly devastating.” Staff have been warned of potential layoffs, while May salaries remain unpaid. The group cannot obtain loans due to a lack of collateral, he added.

The financial crisis stems from advanced payments to Bellona Europa, the organization’s Brussels-based branch. Former Liberal Party leader Sveinung Rotevatn, appointed as Bellona’s new CEO earlier this year, acknowledged a steep drop in May revenue.

“In my five months here, we’ve worked relentlessly to raise funds and slash costs,” Rotevatn told VG. “Margins have been razor-thin—we’ve been teetering on the edge.”

Bellona has launched an emergency crowdfunding campaign to cover the shortfall this week.