Continued partnership for meeting places that inspire hope for children and youth

With support from Kavli Trust, the Swedish children’s rights organisation Erikshjälpen will strengthen and further develop its meeting place concept, Framtidsverkstaden (The Future Workshop). In addition to serving as a social hub in local communities, children and young people receive help with schoolwork, and their parents are supported in accessing the labour market.

Erikshjälpen currently runs six meeting places for children, young people and families in communities in Sweden facing significant socio-economic challenges. Kavli Trust previously supported the establishment of one of these meeting places, Framtidsverkstaden in Uppsala, and with the new grant of NOK 5 million, the collaboration with the children’s rights organisation will continue for a further three years.

Strengthening both individuals and communities

The funding supports the project “Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad 2.0”, where the ambition is to strengthen and expand several of the activities already available at some meeting places.

The Study Workshop is aimed at children and young people, with the goal of improving students’ school performance and motivation through structured learning support programmes. In the Job Workshop, young people and parents receive support to take steps into the labour market, including practical experience and training in collaboration with Erikshjälpen’s own second-hand shops. The Leisure Workshop offers safe and meaningful leisure activities, focusing on participation, health, and social inclusion.

By making these three concepts available to more children, young people and families living in vulnerable areas, the project aims to reduce social exclusion and unemployment, improve mental health among children and young people, and strengthen social cohesion in local communities.

Focusing on particularly vulnerable areas

Framtidsverkstaden started as a pilot project in Helsingborg in 2019, with NOK 2.5 million in support from Kavli Trust. Since then, the model has been tested and further developed, and five new meeting places have been established, with positive results both at the individual and community level.

Even in one of Sweden’s most challenging areas, Skäggetorp, Erikshjälpen has established itself as a trusted actor. As part of this initiative, they aim to reinforce their efforts for children and young people in this particularly vulnerable community, provide more comprehensive everyday support, and lay the foundation for a long-term collaboration agreement with the municipality.

The work will now be further developed through initiatives coordinated across schools, employment, and leisure activities.

“Children and young people growing up in vulnerable areas face greater challenges related to schooling, health, and hope for the future. We know that early intervention and safe, inclusive meeting places can help reduce inequalities in childhood conditions. That is why we are very pleased to be able to help make Framtidsverkstaden even bigger and stronger, so that more children and young people can gain hope for the future and a better everyday life,” says Kavli Trust CEO Ingrid Paasche.

“Erikshjälpen is a solid and experienced partner. With a long-term, holistic approach and a desire to create lasting change for children and young people, their project aligns perfectly with Kavli Trust’s values,” she adds.

Facts about Erikshjälpen and Framtidsverkstaden

• Erikshjälpen is a Swedish children’s rights organisation that works to give children and young people better childhood conditions and opportunities to realise their dreams.
• The organisation is present in 16 countries and runs over 50 non-profit second-hand shops in Sweden and Norway, with the profits going to support children’s rights.
• Framtidsverkstaden (The Future Workshop) is a safe and inclusive meeting place for children, young people, and families in communities facing significant social and economic challenges.
• Kavli Trust previously supported the establishment of Framtidsverkstaden in Uppsala, and the collaboration now continues with a new grant of NOK 5 million.
• The programme includes support with schoolwork (Study Workshop), help to enter the labour market (Job Workshop), and leisure activities that promote health, community, and hope for the future (Leisure Workshop).
• Through the project “Framtidsverkstad 2.0”, these programmes will be further developed and spread to more of Erikshjälpen’s meeting places in Sweden.
• In Skäggetorp, one of Sweden’s most challenging areas, the efforts will be reinforced through measures coordinated across schools, employment, and leisure activities.
• The aim is to reduce social exclusion and unemployment, improve the mental health of children and young people, and create stronger social cohesion in local communities.