NAV youth welfare pilot project in Trondheim

NAV is launching a pilot project in Trondheim titled ‘Et enklere Nav’ (A Simpler NAV), scheduled to begin on November 1. The initiative targets approximately 2,500 young people between the ages of 18 and 29, aiming to simplify access to financial support and accelerate transitions into work or education by removing the requirement for medical assessments or documentation of illness.

The program introduces a new benefit called ‘aktivitetspenger’ (activity money). For participants aged 25 to 29, the annual amount is approximately 278,697 NOK, while those aged 18 to 24 may receive approximately 185,796 NOK annually before tax. To qualify, participants must be outside of work or education and follow an activity plan.

Minister of Labour and Inclusion Kjersti Stenseng described the project as a ‘trust reform’ intended to serve as a national model for reducing bureaucracy. However, the initiative has faced criticism. Economists have noted that the minimum rates may be barely enough for an adult to survive on, and others have raised concerns regarding fund management and Norway’s high rates of health-related work absence.