On this page

1. Information providers / counselling structures

2. Youth-targeted information campaigns about democratic rights and democratic values

3. Promoting the intercultural dialogue among young people

4. Promoting transparent and youth-tailored public communication

Information providers / counselling structures

Through the core curriculum, pursuant to section 1-5 of the Education Act, schools have a responsibility to provide the children and young people with the opportunity to participate in and learn what democracy means in practice. The teaching and training shall promote belief in democratic values and in democracy as a form of government. It shall give the pupils an understanding of the basic rules of democracy and the importance of protecting them.

The Parliament [Stortinget] is an “open house” and normally conducts guided tours for the public. Stortinget.no is a dedicated website to increase the public's understanding of the Parliament’s [Storting] work, and to contribute to individuals and organizations being able to make use of their democratic rights. The website provides digital tours, exhibitions, information brochures, and online learning resources about democracy and the role of Parliament.

Many institutions and public initatives provide information about democratic rights and democratic values, as described in section 5.7 “Learning to participate” through formal, non-formal and informal learning. The Ministry of Education and Research is responsible for state support to seven independent foundations that promote democratic values ​​and attitudes, especially aimed at children and young people, as described in section 4.5 Initiatives promoting social inclusion and raising awareness.

Ung.no, which is run by the Directorate for Children Youth and Family Affairs, is the state's information channel for young people aged 13–20. Ung.no is based on Articles 13 and 17 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which state that children and young people have the right to information, and that the state shall ensure this. The website aims to provide young people with easy access to quality-assured information about their rights, duties and opportunities.

Youth-targeted information campaigns about democratic rights and democratic values

Mock elections in upper secondary school, described in section 5.7 “Learning to participate” through formal, non-formal and informal learning, is an initiative that is not only meant to increase political awareness among youth, but also contribute to a higher turnout among first time voters in real elections.

The Norwegian Directorate for Elections has a funding scheme to support information campaigns targeted at  voters who are not as easily reached through ordinary information channels, or voters who need specially adapted information. In preparation for the general election in 2021 NOK 2,2 million has been set aside for projects and campaign targeting young and first time voters.

The Norwegian Children and Youth Council (LNU), with financial support from the Norwegian Directorate for Elections, organised a national campaign through its member organizations to increase turnout among first-time voters in the 2019 parliamentary elections.

Promoting the intercultural dialogue among young people

See section 4.5 Initiatives promoting social inclusion and raising awareness.

Promoting transparent and youth-tailored public communication

The website klarspråk.no ["clear language"] has been developed by the Norwegian Language Council, the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS)  and the Norwegian Directorate for Digitalisation to provide guidance on how public servants can practice clear and transparent communication.

The Ministry of Local Government and Modernization hands out annual “clear language" prizes to state bodies and municipalities that carry out long-term and systematic "clear language" work.