ODA Champions Award 2026 Finalists

About the ODA Champions Award

The ODA Champion Award recognizes an organization that works long‑term and systematically with diversity and inclusion, and can show real results. The award highlights organizations where inclusion is part of daily operations, and where this work creates value beyond the organization itself. ODA Champions demonstrate that inclusive practices strengthen innovation, sustainability, and societal impact.

The winner will be announced at ODA Inspiration Day 2026.

The finalists are:

Candidate 1: Inno‑Sci School of Programming

Inno‑Sci School of Programming is a Norwegian education organization focused on building inclusive pathways into technology careers. Through structured programs, the organization supports people who are often underrepresented in tech, including women, minorities, and people without traditional education backgrounds. The training is based on real industry needs and combined with mentoring and close cooperation with employers.

The organization shows clear results over time, with repeated program cohorts, high completion rates, and participants moving into relevant jobs or further education. Inno‑Sci tracks participant progress and career outcomes, which provides clear evidence of long‑term and scalable impact. Diversity is reflected in how the programs are designed and delivered. By sharing experience through partnerships, public talks, and cross‑sector collaboration, Inno‑Sci helps strengthen a more open and diverse tech talent ecosystem.

Candidate 2: Telenor

Telenor is one of Norway’s largest technology and telecommunications companies, with a long‑standing role in shaping digital services for society. The company works in a structured and long‑term way to build a more inclusive organization, with clear responsibilities, dedicated resources, and measurable results. Gender balance is integrated into recruitment, leadership development, and employer branding. Initiatives such as Team Spekter, Blå sone, and the long‑running Open Mind program support both diversity in leadership and broader access to working life.

These efforts have led to documented results, including improved gender balance in areas that previously had low representation and 40% women in Telenor Norway’s management team. All diversity and inclusion efforts are anchored in formal structures, including long‑term action plans and regular evaluation. Telenor actively shares knowledge through cross‑industry collaboration, open dialogue, and partnerships such as Mangfoldsløftet. Diverse teams are used to develop services that better reflect the needs of a broad and varied customer base.

Candidate 3: Storebrand

Storebrand is a leading Nordic financial services company with a strong focus on long‑term value creation for customers, employees, and society. Diversity and inclusion are a core part of Storebrand’s business strategy, governance, and leadership responsibilities. Clear accountability runs from the Board to executive management, supported by structured processes across recruitment, pay, and leadership development. This long‑term approach has delivered stable and documented results, including 60% women on the Board and 50% women in executive management.

Storebrand’s work is supported by transparent measurement, external verification, and sustained effort over many years. The organization continuously gathers employee feedback and inclusion data to ensure accountability and continuous improvement. Programs such as FiftyFifty, research partnerships, and open reporting contribute to learning across industries. Storebrand actively shares its experience in public and professional forums. By working towards an employee diversity that reflects customer diversity, the organization develops solutions that are relevant, sustainable, and built for long‑term value creation.