The allocation letter from the ministry

The allocation letter, which is issued early in the year, supplements the general guidelines governing the administration of OVF, and there are no significant changes here for the board or the administrative body. The main purpose of OVF is for the fund to be managed efficiently and generate the best possible return. The allocation letter contains more information

It is the King (who has delegated responsibility to the Ministry of Children and Families) who determines how the return from the fund is to be used. In addition, the Act relating to the Public Pastoral Fund contains provisions regulating property ownership.

During the year, the aim is for the fund to become a state-owned limited company (AS) and thus become an entity under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. Ever since the fund was established in 1821, its assets and returns have benefited the Church of Norway. As church and state have separated, the value of the fund has been divided with the Church. As a consequence, the fund's responsibility for making parsonages available has become a thing of the past. This responsibility is being transferred in its entirety to the Church of Norway. Since the constitutional protection previously contained in Section 116 of the Constitution was removed in 2023, the fund's purpose is no longer enshrined in the Constitution.

OVF's own property portfolio will become smaller, and both parsonages and other buildings will be sold, while parsonages will be put to new uses.