City Executive Council approves wide-ranging violence prevention involving children and youth
The City Executive Council has approved implementing and expanding proposals to strengthen violence prevention and response efforts involving children and young people in Reykjavík. These proposals stem from a November 2025 steering group report on prevention and response, which the School & Recreation Council previously reviewed.
Strengthening support for vulnerable children
The Council approved six of the steering group's proposals, including expanding support for vulnerable children in preschools, introducing formative learning across all City primary schools, and strengthening innovative parent cooperation programs for fourth-grade students. Additional priorities include developing social and emotional skills across all programs serving children and young people, establishing targeted group activities for vulnerable 10- to 12-year-olds, and continuing to embed relationship- and trauma-informed approaches throughout all services for children and youth.
The City Executive Council also recommends approving the proposed support teams for refugee children with significant trauma histories, with the modification that existing Reykjavík City employees within the City administration staff the teams.
Additional proposals under further review
Officials will further review the proposed "Strákar spjalla" ("Boys Talk") primary school program while the Welfare Council considers related proposals on staff training and the program's educational objectives. The Department of Education & Youth will evaluate the costs and revisit the matter during the 2027 budget process.
The Council will also consider proposed support for the LGBT+ youth center during the 2027 budget process. Accordingly, the Council asked the mayor to open discussions with the Association of Municipalities in the Capital Area and the Ministry of Education and Children about potentially sharing project funding. This same process applies to the proposed expansion of support for preschool parents through the "Föruneyti barna" program, which relies on parenting counseling from preschool teachers at participating preschools.
The approval marks a significant step toward more comprehensive, targeted violence prevention and greater support for children, their families, and professionals throughout the City administration.