Increasing diversity and improving dialogue in the neighbourhoods

In most of Bergen’s neighbourhoods a vast majority of residents comes from the majority background: there is no district with a vast majority of minority ethnic groups. Bergen doesn’t encourage residents from one neighbourhood to meet and interact with residents from another because there are no ethnically segregated neighbourhoods in the city. Furthermore, the city has a policy to increase the diversity of residents in the neighbourhoods. 50% of the residents at Council Housing (around 3,000 flats) are from a migrant background: the municipality does not buy or build new housing in areas where there are previous council houses. This city’s commitment in housing is stated in the Action Plan for Inclusion and Diversity. The city of Bergen has a policy to encourage people from different ethnic backgrounds to meet and interact in their neighbourhood. The City has a special focus on areas of the city where the highest percentage of residents have a migrant background. The city has several small community centres in neighbourhoods. In two of these neighbourhoods, the City has employed coordinators to improve the dialogue between the municipality and the residents. The city also supports Open kindergartens in all areas of the city.

Parents with infants or small children who are on maternal/paternal leave or are at home with their children can come to these centres during the daytime. This offer is popular among the migrant population and a good place to practice Norwegian and make friends. In areas with diverse population, the city encourages the residents to participate in the European Neighbours’ Day. This day has been celebrated in Bergen since 2006. Finally, the city encourages people from migrant backgrounds to play football and participate in activities in their local areas with their neighbours and classmates regardless of ethnic background. This strategy is working well and is possibly the context the majority and minority population interact most in the neighbourhoods. The city does not encourage ethnically defined football teams or sports clubs.