The Youth Club Initiative (Fritidsklubbløftet) is a major five-year initiative led by Youth Work Norway to strengthen and develop youth clubs and open youth work across Norway.
The initiative is funded by the Gjensidige Foundation with NOK 270 million and combines investment in local youth clubs with professional development, knowledge-building and research.
Fritidsklubbløftet aims to establish 25 new youth clubs, strengthen the quality of 250 existing clubs, and provide training and professional development for 2,000 youth workers. Together, these efforts are expected to improve local youth work for tens of thousands of young people across Norway.
Dovre Municipality is now starting their first youth club, and will be a part of the Youth Club Initiative as a pilot
Research is an integral part of the initiative. In collaboration with Norwegian research institutions, we are developing a stronger evidence base for open youth work and documenting the role and impact of youth clubs in young people’s lives. Young people themselves are actively involved in both the development and research activities.
The long-term ambition is to strengthen the quality, recognition and sustainability of open youth work in Norway, and to ensure that more young people have access to high-quality youth clubs in their local communities.
Sist oppdatert 21.09.2026