Purpose: To create a new Inclusion Centre, bringing all essential activities under one roof at an attractive location.
Stimulus/Rationale: To co-locate inclusion services, which have previously been in different parts of the city. The new Centre, located in a former teacher training college, will bring together the Introduction Centre for Refugees, the Bergen læringssenter for Norwegian language and social studies courses, the Centre for Migration Health, the adult training centre, and the administration in the municipality’s agency for social inclusion.
Process: The process of transforming a former teacher-training college to an Inclusion Centre started in 2019. The municipality is investing more than 90 million Euros in the redevelopment of this facility of more than 17 000 square meters. The project has been developed within the Framework for Dignity in the Built Environment, linked to existing standards and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Framework aims to guide decision-making and strengthen collaboration, to mitigate risks to human rights and maximize social outcomes throughout the built environment lifecycle.
A large cafe/restaurant will be used to train people who want to pursue a career in this profession, and the Centre will also house sports facilities like a swimming pool. NGOs working in the field of diversity and inclusion, as well as the local community and organisations, will be able to use the building’s facilities for free. The center thus aims to foster inclusion and intercultural interaction across different groups. The Bergen Inclusion Center opens in April 2024.
Impact: TBA.
Key reference documents: https://www.bergen.kommune.no/hvaskjer/tema/vi-bygger-bergen/byggeprosjekter/andre-bygg/byggeprosjekt-bergen-inkluderingssenter
