Case 5: Bergen
Name of project / programme:
Year of start / opening:
Country:
Target group:
Age:
City size:
Type of sport:
IM – Lekser – Idrett – Mat (Homwork – Sport – Food)
2017
Norway
Social-economically disadvantaged
children
more than 100.000 inhabitants
Ball games (e.g. soccer, basketball, volleyball….)
Content of project / programme
Short description:
Free of charge, after school activity for children (6-12 years) in parts of Bergen with high numbers of minorities with low socioeconomical status. Collaboration between sport clubs and schools.
Long description:
This free of charge, after school activity in Bergen started in 2017 at one of the primary schools (Slettebakken Skole). At first it was initiated as a collaboration between the school and one local sport club (Trane), but different sport clubs were invited to participate, giving the children introduction to various sports. By introducing children to various sports and sport clubs, the idea is that the participation in organized sport will increase. The local school, on the other hand, allocated resources for free food and help for the children to do homework. As many of them came from families with minority background, the school experienced that parents had less resources to help their children with homework. By joining forces, the local school and the local sport clubs aimed for better integration.
LIM is organized and coordinated by Bergen Sports Council, where resources is allocated for a program coordinator. The program has been funded by the City of Bergen since 2017, but also by other public and private sources. The Sport Council plays an important part in organizing and coordinating the activity, but also when it comes to raising awareness and fundraising. In 2021 the program was extended with one new local school, and then again in 2023. During the academic year of 2024/2025 four different schools and their local sport clubs have been enrolled into the LIM-project. Based on the LIM-projects own calculations, 50-70% of the children in these areas participate in LIM. The City of Bergen is still central in funding the project, and at the same time both sport clubs and the schools allocate resources to run the project.
Aspects of good practice:
LIM is considered a good practice because…
- Participation of target group
- Strong co-ordinator retains overview of activities and people involved
- Clear goals, e.g. inclusion, empowerment, etc.
Picture 10: Basketball practice at LIM Bergen. Photo credit: LIM
