– 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.
Strengthens the one-to-one effort
– 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. Oslo gets around NOK 640 million extra to this year’s and next year’s budget.
– Small change
– When the city council has now received a much greater room for action from the state, we had expected a bit more fuss, writes APS group leader Marthe Scharning Lund in an email to NTB.
She calls the increase “small change”.
– It is a declaration of bankruptcy, she writes.
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 can the community get involved in supporting Eirik Lae Solberg’s efforts to prevent youth crime?
**Interview with Eirik Lae Solberg, City Council Leader**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Eirik. You’ve recently proposed allocating NOK 20 million for the one-on-one follow-up of young people in Oslo who are either committing serious repeated crimes or at risk of entering criminal environments. What prompted this initiative?
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** Thank you for having me. The rising concerns around youth crime in our city have been alarming. We’ve seen that when young people are left without guidance, they often find themselves on a path towards criminal behavior. This initiative is about prevention—providing targeted support to those who need it the most.
**Interviewer:** Could you elaborate on what you envision this one-on-one follow-up will entail?
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** Certainly. The idea is to create a personalized support system where trained professionals can work closely with these young individuals. This could involve mentorship, counseling, job training, and connecting them with community resources. The goal is to help them build a better future and steer them away from crime.
**Interviewer:** How will you measure the success of this program?
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** We plan to track various metrics, such as reductions in recidivism rates, engagement with educational and job opportunities, and overall improvements in mental health and social stability among participants. It’s important that we assess our impact continually so we can adjust the program as needed.
**Interviewer:** Are there any potential challenges you foresee in implementing this initiative?
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** One challenge is securing the right professionals who have the skills and experience to connect with these young people effectively. Additionally, we must ensure that the youth are willing to engage with the support provided. Building trust is critical.
**Interviewer:** What message do you hope to send to the community with this initiative?
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** I want our community to know that we are committed to investing in our youth and addressing the root causes of crime, rather than just its symptoms. We believe in the potential of every young person, and it’s our responsibility to provide them with the tools they need to succeed.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Eirik, for your insights and for prioritizing youth in Oslo.
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important issue.
