Social Sustainability Initiatives

Children & youth

Jun 8

Written By Annikken Grieg Sæthre

Who: Idrett Bergen Sør

What: Social Sustainability Initiatives

Where: Bergen, Norway

Project period: 2026-2029

About the project

Idrett Bergen Sør (IBS)’s project “Social Sustainability Initiatives” is a long-term preventive initiative that provides free and inclusive physical activities and social meeting places for children and young people in Bergen who are at risk of social exclusion. The project was established in response to increasing concerns related to youth crime, loneliness, mental health challenges and the growing number of young people struggling to find their place in organized sports and positive leisure environments.

The target group includes children and youth affected by low income, refugee and immigrant backgrounds, unstable home situations, school refusal, mental health difficulties, social isolation, unemployment and limited access to organized activities. Many participants require more support and follow-up than traditional sports clubs are able to offer.

The project offers low-threshold activities where participation, belonging and personal development are more important than performance. Weekly activities include strength and group training for teenage girls, climbing sessions, skating and roller activities, as well as free outdoor and holiday programs during school breaks. The activities are designed to strengthen both physical and mental health while creating safe communities with trusted adult role models.

A central goal of the project is to reduce exclusion and strengthen local communities by giving young people meaningful activities, positive relationships and opportunities for mastery regardless of background or financial situation. The project is carried out in cooperation with schools, health services, police and voluntary organizations to ensure broad recruitment, local support and long-term social impact for participants across Bergen and surrounding municipalities in Norway.

About the organization

Idrett Bergen Sør (IBS) is a non-profit health organization established by the sports clubs Fana, Gneist, Bjarg, Smørås and Kalandseid in southern Bergen. IBS was created to provide inclusive and adapted physical activities for people who need more support and follow-up than traditional sports clubs are able to offer.

IBS operates independently with its own administration and finances. Funding comes partly from paid activities, but the organization is largely dependent on grants and support from public funding bodies, foundations and other organizations. This support helps IBS keep many activities free and accessible for vulnerable groups in the community.

The vision of IBS is “together to improve public health”. IBS works closely with both public and private partners to create safe social arenas and meaningful activities for children, young people and adults across Bergen. A central part of the organization’s work is supporting people who often fall outside traditional sports clubs and organized activities due to social exclusion, low income, refugee backgrounds, school refusal, mental health challenges, disabilities, unemployment or other barriers to participation. IBS aims to reduce loneliness and exclusion by creating inclusive communities where everyone can experience belonging, activity and mastery regardless of their background or life situation.