The Western Norway Research Institute, is an assignment based research foundation founded by the county municipality of Sogn og Fjordane. Located in the Fosshaugane Campus, of the Sogn og Fjordane University College in Sogndal, the Institute is independent of the University and conducts research and development studies commissioned by research councils, industry and, the public sector. Though international in nature the institute maintains strong regional ties particularly in the fields of climate adaptation and rural tourism. Its special areas of expertise include; information communication, technology systems, organizational research, environmental research, sustainable tourism, environmental policy and energy production and use and, climate change social impacts, evaluation and adaptation.