1. No category

Social inclusion for people from
ethnic minorities: partnership
between Municipalities and
Government in Norway
Lisbon, Wednesday 08 July 2015
Norwegian Ministry of Labour
and Social Affairs
The Norwegian Integration policy
• Principle of mainstreaming
• Social inclusion through employment for
all
• Targeted measures for new
immigrants/refugees
Norwegian Ministry of Labour
and Social Affairs
The Introduction Act
• Municipalities – where the integration
process takes place
• Training in Norwegian language and social
studies
• The Introductory programme
• Cooperation with the Labour and Welfare
Agency
Norwegian Ministry of Labour
and Social Affairs
The partnership between state and
municipalities
• The state Labour and Welfare Agency
is responsible for:
– National Insurance scheme
– Public Employment services
• The municipalities are responsible for
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Introductory program
Qualification program
Social assistance scheme
Other municipal services
Norwegian Ministry of Labour
and Social Affairs
• The state Labour and Welfare Agency
and the municipalities cooperate
through a common office in every
municipality- a ”one-stop-shop”
Norwegian Ministry of Labour
and Social Affairs
Qualification programme
• Combat and prevent poverty
• Mainly aimed at long time recipients of
social assistance benefits
• Goal: Inclusion in work-oriented activities
– Aiming at (re-)employment on a more permanent
basis.
• Target group:
– Severely impaired working capacity and earning
ability
– Programme must be considered as both necessary
and relevant for employment
– Limited rights to subsistence benefits from National
Insurance scheme
Norwegian Ministry of Labour
and Social Affairs
Structure of the programme
• Nationwide (2011)
• Two-year duration – full time
• Tailored programme suited for the
participant’s needs
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Education and work-related training
May include medical treatment
Individual guidance and follow-up
Financial incentive
Norwegian Ministry of Labour
and Social Affairs
Benefits and caseload numbers
• Qualification benefit
– Appr 20 000 EUR per year
– 2/3 benefit for participants under 25
• The programme is funded by the
municipalities
• Caseload numbers
– 5 700 in the programme at any time
– Since 2008: 25 000 have been, or are, in
the programme
Norwegian Ministry of Labour
and Social Affairs
Thank you for your attention!
Arbeids- og sosialdepartementet