Supporting Integration and Retention of Internationals in Agder

Norway

May 12

Written By Sophie van Haasen

Agder County Municipality

Mayor

Arne Thomassen

Start of Project

January 2024

End of Project

Ongoing

Website

Overview

Agder County Municipality and Inklusiv Agder commit to developing and maintaining welcome services in Agder through Welcome Hub Agder – a collaborative, place-based initiative designed to improve the retention and inclusion of international workers and their families in Norway. The hub addresses fragmented integration support through three pillars: providing structured community support and practical guidance for residents; strengthening labour market access for spouses and partners through career coaching; and supporting employers to enhance their capacity to retain international talent. By operating as a multi-stakeholder intermediary, the hub connects the public sector, business community, and civil society to create a more welcoming regional environment, aiming to move beyond mere recruitment towards ensuring long-term socio-economic integration and belonging.

Expected and Achieved Impact

This initiative is expected to:

Increase social inclusion and belonging, fostering a sense of community through regular events, international gatherings, and thematic workshops, helping newcomers feel more integrated into local society.
Improve economic integration through enhanced access to networks and employment opportunities, particularly for spouses and partners of international workers. This is achieved through career support, networking arenas, and collaboration with public employment services.
Strengthen cross-sector collaboration by bridging gaps between the public sector, business community, and civil society, leading to a more coordinated regional approach to integration.

In 2025 alone, the Welcome Hub initiative achieved significant scale, hosting approximately 150 events and activities with over 2,000 participations. It has built a robust digital presence with 1,500 members on online community platforms and engaged 50–70 active volunteers. The hub has successfully fostered collaboration among 60 organizations across sectors. The model’s success is further evidenced by its transferability, as other Norwegian regions are now establishing similar initiatives inspired by the Agder approach.