NAV launches pilot project for youth in Trondheim

NAV in Trondheim is launching a pilot project titled ‘Et enklere Nav’ (A Simpler NAV) starting November 1. The initiative targets approximately 2,500 young people between the ages of 18 and 30. With a budget of 97 million NOK running through 2027, the project introduces a new form of support called ‘aktivitetspenger’ (activity money).

The primary goal is to reduce processing times by removing the requirement for medical assessments, allowing for faster access to benefits. Minister of Labour and Inclusion Kjersti Stenseng described the project as a ‘trust reform’ and expressed hope that it could serve as a national model for a less bureaucratic system.

However, the initiative has faced skepticism. Critics have raised concerns regarding the management of funds for those outside the workforce and noted that Norway experiences significantly higher health-related work absence compared to countries like Sweden and the Netherlands.