Sentralbyrå

Sentralbyrå is a term used in Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages to denote a central government bureau or agency charged with coordinating the central administration and delivering shared services to the government. The word combines sentral (central) and byrå (bureau) and is used to describe a high-level unit distinct from individual ministries.

Typical functions include policy coordination across ministries, information management and statistics, development of government-wide guidelines and standards, archiving and records management, procurement and IT services, and support for executive decision-making. A sentralbyrå often acts as a hub for cross-cutting issues such as governance, risk management, and performance reporting.

Organizationally, such an office usually sits near the top of the public administration, reporting to the prime minister or a designated minister, and it may supervise other central agencies, as well as regional offices or public bodies. Its mandate and powers are established by statute or government regulation, and it is subject to parliamentary and audit oversight.

The exact form and existence of a sentralbyrå vary by country and over time. Some administrations use different terms for similar roles, such as central administration or directorate-general, while the concept remains a core part of centralized public administration in many Nordic countries.