Youth Work Norway (Ungdom og Fritid) is the national umbrella organisation for youth clubs and open youth work in Norway.
We represent more than 750 youth clubs and other open youth work services across the country, reaching more than 120,000 young people. Our members are primarily run and supported by local municipalities and provide young people with safe, inclusive and accessible leisure spaces in their local communities.
Open youth work is based on voluntary participation and young people’s interests and needs. We work to strengthen the quality and recognition of the field and to ensure that young people have meaningful opportunities to participate, influence decisions and shape the activities and communities they are part of.
What we do
Youth Work Norway represents the interests of youth clubs, youth workers and young people at national level. We advocate for strong and sustainable open youth work, support professional development in the field, develop resources and knowledge, and create opportunities for exchange and cooperation between our members.
A major part of this work is Fritidsklubbløftet (The Youth Club Initiative), a five-year national initiative funded by the Gjensidige Foundation with NOK 270 million. Through the initiative, we are working to establish new youth clubs, strengthen the quality of existing services, provide training and professional development for youth workers, and build a stronger knowledge and research base for open youth work in Norway.
Dovre Municipality is now starting their first youth club, and will be a part of The Youth Club Initiative as a pilot
International cooperation is also an important part of our work. We are a member of Professional Open Youth Work in Europe (POYWE) and the European Confederation of Youth Clubs (ECYC) and participate in Europe Goes Local (EGL).
Youth Work Norway is also accredited under Erasmus+ Youth. Through Erasmus+ and our European partnerships, we create opportunities for young people and youth workers to take part in international exchanges, training, study visits and other forms of cross-border cooperation.
Through our international work, we aim to strengthen the quality and recognition of open youth work, increase opportunities for international cooperation among our members, promote meaningful youth participation, and contribute Norwegian perspectives and experiences to European youth policy and practice.
Sist oppdatert 16.09.2026