Many volunteer leaders can’t take it anymore. People stay at home rather than participate. The National Council for Children and Youth Organizations (LNU) sounds the alarm on behalf of around 450,000 members.
Both Children’s Minister Kjersti Toppe (Sp) and Culture Minister Anette Trettebergstuen (Ap) have recently received a gloomy report from LNU.
There, the national council and leader Margrete Bjørge Katanasho (27) writes that one word is repeated to describe the situation:
Lack
– The pandemic has created a shortage, this report states: Lack of active members, lack of volunteers, lack of people for positions, lack of resources such as time and money, and lack of competence and culture, describes Katanasho.
– Regardless of what the challenge is, most people talk about the strain, or the fear of strain on volunteers, being present, says the report.
Now LNU is calling for political support for the children’s and youth organizations to get back to where they were before the pandemic.
Lost your place in society?
In a major VG case about the significant flight from leisure activities, Katanasho said in mid-March that it has been difficult to recruit new members after the pandemic dropout, as well as great wear and tear on many zealots.
In the report which has now been handed over to the government, LNU asks whether the existence of volunteering is in danger.
– Could volunteerism have lost its place in society?
The National Council is asking this with the background that several organizations notice a much lower commitment than before the pandemic.
– And how do you reach out to young people who have had their free time restricted for several years, and who now have a different understanding and culture of what they can do in their free time? Katanasho asks.
– Relentless pandemic
Culture and Equality Minister Anette Trettebergstuen (Ap) takes the feedback from volunteering Norway seriously.
She calls children’s and youth organizations absolutely necessary actors in society.
– The pandemic was merciless for everyone, but we know that it hit particularly hard the opportunities children and young people had to meet and have a meaningful everyday life. Among other things, LNU wants more free funds and simple, predictable and unbureaucratic changes to improve the situation. We have a great understanding of that, writes Trettebergstuen in an e-mail to VG.
She reminds that the umbrella organization for children’s and youth organizations has received full VAT compensation for two years. In addition, it is possible to reallocate money that was not used for normal activity.
The minister is talking about a greater investment to increase participation among children and young people – regardless of parents’ finances and place of residence.
More stingy with time use
In the report, it appears that many have become much more prioritizing in what they join.
And a lot of people who stayed at home a lot during the pandemic – with a lot of screen time and other domestic chores, have stayed at home even after the years with corona.
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In conclusion, LNU writes in its report:
“The major findings of the survey include that a large proportion of the organizations have a decline in membership. This can affect their basis for activity, finances and further recruitment. There is a decline in recruitment, and several organizations are struggling to fill positions on committees and boards.”
Margrete Bjørge Katanasho tells VG that in the meetings with the government’s two ministers responsible for children and young people’s organisations, she emphasized describing the tough time after the pandemic years.
– Got understanding
Specifically, she presented a need for an increase in basic support from NOK 160 million to NOK 180 million in the state budget for 2024.
– I experienced that both Kjersti Toppe and Anette Trettebergstuen understood our demanding situation. But now I’m excited about whether it will be followed up by political action, and not just words, says the LNU leader to VG.
Culture Minister Trettebergstuen says that they are working on a strategy to increase participation and activity among children and young people.
– Together with the volunteers, we will find lasting solutions and create a step-by-step plan to increase participation and reduce prices and equipment pressure. We are also giving NOK 100 million more to sport – which is the leisure activity most children and young people engage in, writes Trettebergstuen to VG.
She also pre-announces a review of the government’s various instruments – must use these in the most coordinated and sensible way possible.
“Participation is also one of several themes in the cultural volunteering strategy that will come this spring,” reminds the minister for culture and sport.
