– 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.
#Oslo #City #Council #spend #millions #tracking #young #criminals
How do you plan to involve the community in supporting at-risk youth as part of this initiative?
**Interview with Eirik Lae Solberg, City Council Leader of Oslo**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Eirik. It’s great to have you here. You recently announced a proposal to allocate NOK 20 million for targeted support for at-risk youth. Can you explain what motivated this decision?
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** Thank you for having me. Our motivation stems from rising concerns about young people becoming involved in serious criminal activities. We’ve seen that early intervention can make a significant difference. By investing in one-to-one follow-ups, we aim to provide tailored support to those at risk of entering criminal environments or those who have already committed serious crimes.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a proactive approach. How do you envision this funding will be used in practical terms?
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** The funding will be directed towards creating individualized support programs. This means working with professionals who can mentor these young individuals, providing them with the guidance they need to make better choices. We want to connect them with educational and vocational opportunities to help redirect their paths positively.
**Interviewer:** Are there specific groups or demographics you are focusing on with this initiative?
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** Yes, we are primarily focusing on young people who have a history of repeated offenses or who show clear signs of being at risk. This includes those from vulnerable backgrounds where crime may seem like an acceptable option. Our goal is to reach them before they fall deeper into criminality.
**Interviewer:** Some might question how effective this kind of intervention can be. What metrics or success indicators do you plan to implement to measure the impact?
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** That’s an important question. We will track a variety of metrics, such as reductions in reoffending rates, engagement in educational programs, and positive changes in behavior over time. Feedback from the participants will be crucial as well; we want to ensure that the support we offer is effective and resonates with their needs.
**Interviewer:** what is your hope for the long-term outcome of this initiative?
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** My hope is that we can create a safer community by giving these young people the tools they need to build successful futures, rather than continue down a path of crime. If we can change even a fraction of their lives for the better, we will have achieved something significant for both the individuals and our society.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your insights, Eirik. We look forward to seeing how this initiative unfolds in the coming year.
**Eirik Lae Solberg:** Thank you for having me. I’m excited about the potential for positive change!
