Karibu’s inception in the 1980s was driven by founder Cecilie Nustad’s dedication to combating global poverty and suffering. As the daughter of a renowned Norwegian architect specializing in affordable housing, she felt a deep connection to the struggles of those in the “third world.” Eager to make a meaningful impact with her inheritance, she sought counsel from her friend, journalist Einar Lunde. Lunde introduced Cecilie to lawyer Øystein Tveter, an experienced figure in North-South relations, development aid, and human rights. Tveter’s extensive background in Asia and Africa, along with his influential network of researchers, activists, and politicians from these regions, became pivotal resources. This collaboration, fueled by financial support from Norway, birthed the “Karibu project.” Its primary goal was to provide a platform for amplifying ‘The Voice of the Global South.’

Karibu held its constituting Board meeting on December 19th, 1985, and had its formal registering as the Karibu Foundation on March 8th, 1986. From 1986-2007, Karibu was institutionally connected to other Norwegian civil society organizations as its operational platform. it has been connected to the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), the “Centre for Partnership in Development at the Diakonhjemmet” (Oslo), and the consultancy group “Institute for Global Networking, Information and Studies (IGNIS)”. Karibu was headed by Øystein Tveter throughout these years.

From 2007, Karibu has had its own independent operational platform and Board – now headed by Rev. Eilert Rostrup. Karibu strengthened its position as a “different” type of global North grantmaker, in terms of flexibility, solidarity, and transparency. Karibu continued to sharpen its mission and vision to emphasize “supporting alternative voices from the Global South that provide alternatives to the dominant paradigms of power, distribution, and development.”

Karibu has a history of supporting South-South solidarity, fostering connections among Global South groups. In 1994, Karibu backed the inaugural “South Group,” later renamed ISGN, in South Africa. Comprising Global South activists and intellectuals, this gathering aimed to break free from former colonial powers in the emerging “new world order.” In 1998, Karibu supported Jubilee South’s formation, challenging Northern control over Southern nations through the “chain of debt.” In 2008, Karibu aided the Americas Social Forum / Hemispheric Gathering against Militarization in Guatemala, uniting voices against increased military funding and foreign bases.

In the 1980s and 1990s, neoliberalism gained global prominence, promoting deregulation, privatization, economic liberalization, and reduced state-backed social services to advance capitalist interests. This system increasingly favored powerful entities from the Global North and became militarized. Karibu’s partners have focused on countering neoliberalism. In 1990, Karibu supported SONAD’s Nairobi initiative to analyze environmental and development crises from a Southern perspective. In 1998, Karibu backed the IBON Foundation’s International Conference on Alternatives to Globalization in the Philippines, promoting alternative approaches from various groups. In 2004, support aided Nicaragua’s Centro de Estudios Internationales (CEI) in grassroots education on trade, debt, and militarism in Central America. From 2014, Karibu has supported the global “Our World Is Not For Sale” network.

Many of Karibu’s partners throughout the years have focused on ecumenical and theological initiatives for social change. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Karibu supported collaborative efforts between Latin American and African centers, focusing on grassroots Bible reading, particularly assisting Centro de Estudos Biblicos (CEBI) in Brazil. This inspired the African Theological Education by Extension (TEE) movement. Karibu also played a pivotal role in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the South African Kairos document in 1994, partnering with the Kairos Theological Reflection Group (KTRG) for a decade, establishing Kairos Southern Africa. Additionally, it facilitated global connections between South African theologians and marginalized groups, leading to the launch of the Palestinian Kairos document in 2009, and the growth of the global Kairos Network, including Kairos Nigeria (2014) and Kairos Swaziland (2015).

Karibu has long had a critical look at its own power as a grant-maker, striving to be a different type of “donor”. In 2021, Karibu launched the a pilot project where activists and civil society members from the global South would be those that make decisions around certain grants. The goal was the look at the practical consequence of systemic change and reorganising of power, as a concrete expression of the values of ‘nothing about us without us’.

Karibu’s founder and vice-chairperson, Cecilie Nustad, passed away on July 11th, 2018 in Norway. From the foundation’s inception in the late 1980s, she played an active and dedicated role in its development and work. Beyond projects and grants, Cecilie was deeply committed to addressing systemic injustices and the abuse of power. She believed in amplifying the voices of the oppressed and their struggle for justice through Karibu. Archbishop Desmond Tutu aptly summarized Cecilie’s legacy: “Cecilie was not only generous but was committed to fight injustice and oppression everywhere, helping those resisting evil with her dedication and commitment as well as with her public advocacy for justice and human rights. God is proud of this His daughter and wanted her to come home to decorate heaven with her goodness and generosity.” – Desmond Tutu