igangsetter

Igangsetter is a noun used in Norwegian and Danish to denote a person or entity that initiates or launches a project, policy, campaign, or other activity. The term describes someone who gives a process its start and mobilizes the initial actions required to move it from planning to execution.

Etymology and form: The word combines i gang, meaning in operation or underway, with setter, meaning one who places or sets. In Norwegian the form is igangsetter, while Danish uses igangsætter. Spelling and usage are similar across Nordic languages, though regional preferences may vary.

Usage: An igangsetter is typically the person or group responsible for starting an initiative, often outlining objectives, securing initial resources, and coordinating the early steps. The role can be informal or formal, and it may be distinct from roles such as the implementer (who executes) or the sponsor (who provides authority and resources). The term is common in business, public administration, civil society, and organizational change contexts.

Examples: A department head who launches a digitalization program can be described as the igangsetter of the initiative. A community group that initiates a neighborhood improvement project might be led by an igangsetter who coordinates volunteers and timelines.

See also: initiator, catalyst, trigger, change agent, project sponsor. In English usage, equivalents include initiator or catalyst, though igangsetter remains primarily Nordic in common parlance.