Safe City Action
Larvik works with Nordic Safe Cities to implement a strategy across the municipality. We will also work to develop and implement the next phase of Larvik’s youth engagement strategy, KomINN, to empower youth and create local youth ambassadors.
City Portrait
Larvik is a middle-sized coastal town located in South Eastern Norway, in the county of Vestfold, approximately 1.5 hours from Oslo. The city covers around 535 square kilometres and in addition to a town centre consist of five small villages. Larvik consists of a population of just over 47K with a large middle-aged population and 14,1% of residents with roots in other countries. Larvik was historically an industrial town, however in the late 20th century the town has become less industrialised with several industrial areas being urbanised in the process. Today Larvik is a popular summer destination for Norwegians with large campsites and many summer cabins. Larvik has a good sporting and cultural offering for residents with most sports represented as well as various cultural activities for all age groups.
Safe City Challenges
Larvik is challenged with poor municipal economy and socio-economic differences in the population. The primary challenge as identified in the action plan for Larvik, is exclusion of minority groups which are characterised by low income, poor education, poor living conditions and other socio-economic problems. Marginalisation and exclusion are often heightened by polarisation due to social inequalities. Exclusion can often lead to vulnerability, which in turn is a major factor leading to radicalisation and recruitment of children and youth to extremist groups. One of the most important factors for preventing extremism is creating safe environments and communities where children and youths feel welcome and have a sense of belonging. This requires focused measures and long-term engagement. Poor municipal economy means that measures are often down prioritised in the most important arenas such as schools and informal networks. Creating understanding for the challenges and measuring the effect of preventive initiatives is also difficult.
Strategy
The city of Larvik invests heavily in good basic services, such as kindergartens and schools, to empower children and youth to prosper and to feel included. Larvik further focuses on the importance of continued dialog with different groups in the city. The primary focus is on areas and groups, which have been identified as particularly vulnerable. Over the past 5 years the municipality has prioritised regular meetings with all spiritual and religious leaders. These meetings focus on creating understanding and acceptance for differences and encouraging inclusion. The meetings are a very high priority and led by the mayor. Leaders are encouraged to be open to ensure that challenges can be identified early and so that the municipality can assist if needed. All reports of concerns are sent to the city authorities from all groups and are analysed and evaluated so that challenges can be quickly identified, and the correct measures implemented. Early action is often the key.
FOCUS AREAS
Larvik currently focuses on the following within the KomINN (All’INN) action plan:
- Dialog, cooperation and coordinating across sectors and organisations.
- Increasing awareness, knowledge and competencies amongst employees.
- Empowering parents and safeguarding the rights of all children to grow up in a safe environment.
- The role of the individual in the greater local community after repatriation to Norway (following radicalisation) or, preferably before they have made the final decision to participate in an extreme group in Norway or abroad.
See more initiatives from the frontlines of Larvik below
Good Practise
KomINN (All’INN)
ALL’IN is a creative platform designed to engage and train young people to develop concepts that can contribute to a cool and safe city for all youth. The key message is inclusion. The ALL’IN concept was developed in collaboration with Nordic Safe Cities, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) and Larvik Municipality. Since fall 2017, more than 150 ALL’IN ambassadors have participated and developed +20 online and offline concepts. The ALL’IN Guide is based on this work and provides tangible tools, recommendations, inspiration and ALL’IN best cases. It goes out to city actors who wish to mobilise and engage young people in an action and community orientated course to create a cool and safe city.
Read more here