The Norwegian Institute for Social Research, in collaboration with UNHCR, launched a new report that examines how civil society in Norway can best support refugee reception and integration. Drawing on expert interviews and international practices, the report compares the concept of community sponsorship programmes, where individuals or groups provide financial and practical support to refugees in addition to other community support already provided in municipalities. The findings suggest that, while community sponsorship has gained traction internationally, Norway’s highly-regulated integration system and Nordic welfare model make other forms of community support more suitable in the short- to medium-term. Existing local initiatives, built on strong traditions of volunteerism and public-private partnerships, offer meaningful ways to engage communities in refugee support. The report recommends building on and expanding these existing efforts, aligning with the national strategy to strengthen civil society’s role in integration. While community sponsorship may hold future potential, especially in response to increased refugee arrivals, current conditions favour enhancing the diverse support mechanisms already in place.
