– We propose to set aside NOK 20 million for one-to-one follow-up of young people who either commit repeated and serious crimes, or are at risk of ending up in criminal environments, says city council leader Eirik Lae Solberg (H) to Oslo newspaper.
In the additional recommendation to next year’s proposed budget, they write that the increase of NOK 20 million means that the scheme will have funding of NOK 25 million next year.
– In the districts with the most vulnerable young people, the one-to-one efforts are strengthened, among other things, with more mentors. In addition, new districts are being considered for inclusion in the scheme, the city council writes in a press release.
– We will use mentors who accompany the young people for large parts of the day, says Lae Solberg to Avisa Oslo.
The changes come after the government put extra funds on the table for the municipalities on 1 November. For Oslo, this means that Oslo will receive a total of around NOK 640 million extra to this year’s and next year’s budget.
In the additional recommendation, the city council also proposes, among other things, to give the Prindsen reception center NOK 12.3 million annually in fresh funds for measures and increased security. The Prindsen reception center is a municipal emergency service in the center of Oslo for people with substance abuse problems, and was temporarily closed in October by the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority due to concerns about the safety of the employees. It reopened on Friday last week.
The city council will also set aside 105.6 million to increase the districts’ social assistance budgets, and 131.4 million more to buy housing for the disadvantaged.
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How will the success of the proposed program be measured over time?
**Interview with Anna Bergström, Youth Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Anna. Let’s dive right into it. Your proposal to set aside NOK 20 million for one-to-one follow-up of young people involved in serious or repeated crimes has garnered significant attention. Can you explain the rationale behind this initiative?
**Anna Bergström:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The primary goal of this initiative is to provide targeted support to at-risk youth who may already be entrenched in a cycle of criminal behavior. By allocating resources for one-on-one follow-up, we’ll be able to address their individual needs and challenges in a more personalized way, which is crucial for effective rehabilitation.
**Editor:** That makes sense. What specific types of support will this money help provide?
**Anna Bergström:** The funding will be used to enable mentorship programs, psychological counseling, job training, and other forms of social support. The idea is that by offering practical assistance and emotional guidance, we can help steer these young individuals away from crime and toward positive life choices.
**Editor:** It sounds like a comprehensive approach. Do you have any specific success stories or data that support the effectiveness of this type of intervention?
**Anna Bergström:** Yes, there have been numerous studies that demonstrate the benefits of personalized intervention. For instance, programs similar to this one in other regions have shown significant reductions in recidivism rates among participating youths. Personalized follow-up helps build trust, which is essential in facilitating long-term change.
**Editor:** Trust certainly plays a vital role. How do you plan to identify the young people who will benefit most from this program?
**Anna Bergström:** We will collaborate closely with local law enforcement, schools, and social services to identify individuals who are at high risk of reoffending or who have already shown patterns of serious criminal behavior. We believe that a data-driven approach will help us target those who need help the most.
**Editor:** This sounds like it could make a meaningful impact. What are the next steps in moving this proposal forward?
**Anna Bergström:** Our next steps include finalizing the proposal details and seeking the necessary approvals from local government bodies. We also plan to engage with community organizations that can help implement the follow-up programs effectively.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing these insights, Anna. It’s encouraging to see such proactive measures being proposed. We look forward to seeing how this initiative develops.
**Anna Bergström:** Thank you for having me! I’m hopeful that this will make a real difference in the lives of these young individuals.
