Robust recreational programs to combat violence among children

Ritstjórn
Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir borgarstjóri og Inga Sæland, mennta- og barnamálaráðherra, undirrita samning um að styðja við og auka aðgengi barna og ungmenna á aldrinum 16–25 ára að skipulögðu frístunda- og félagsstarfi í Breiðholti. Róbert Reynisson
Inga Sæland, mennta- og barnamálaráðherra og Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir borgarstjóri í Reykjavík undirrita samning um að styðja við og auka aðgengi barna og ungmenna á aldrinum 16–25 ára að skipulögðu frístunda- og félagsstarfi í Breiðholti. Heiða til vinstri, Inga til hægri, málverk í bakgrunni. Standa við borð.

Minister of Education and Children Inga Sæland and Reykjavík Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir signed an agreement today to support and expand access for children and young people ages 16-25 to organized recreational and social activities in Breiðholt. The agreement is part of a government initiative to address violence among children.

Research shows that organized recreational activities improve young people's well-being, strengthen social connections and reduce the likelihood of negative outcomes such as isolation and dysphoria. These programs give young people a safe place to meet peers and engage in constructive leisure activities under professional supervision.

"Violence among children is not something we can accept as a society. We need to tackle this problem decisively and comprehensively through strong partnerships and community campaigns. We want to support young people in vulnerable situations, and robust social and recreational activities are key to their development," says Minister of Education and Children Inga Sæland.

"Investment in education and prevention can have a decisive impact on young people's lives. It is our responsibility as a society to do everything we can to prevent children from going down the wrong path, and this agreement is a key part of that effort. Recreation and strong social activities are among the things we can do to ensure everyone belongs," says Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir.

Organized youth programs have operated twice a week in Breiðholt, on Thursdays and Sundays, with an average of 45-86 young people attending each session. Attendance in the youth programs decreased after the facility at the One Hundred and Eleven community center had to be closed in March 2025. While searching for suitable space, the programs were temporarily housed at the welfare department's community center in Gerðuberg. The programs are now located in a suitable space at Völvufell 11.

The grant recipient's responsibilities include:

  • increase children and young people's access to organized recreational and social activities and provide them with support and guidance
  • ensure youth programs take place at least twice a week
  • promote the programs in partnership with Fjölbrautarskólinn í Breiðholti and the South Center
  • coordinate with key service providers for children and young people
  • refer cases to appropriate resources as needed, including prosperity services
  • provide staff with education about prosperity services.

The agreement outlines metrics to track the project's success and progress. The project's performance will be monitored based on access, attendance, collaboration, and participant satisfaction and outcomes.

The grant totals 8.5 million króna and runs through 2026.

The government's actions for addressing violence among children aim to counter trends toward increased violence, strengthen preventative work and bring together diverse service and response providers in a coordinated campaign against violence among children and young people in Iceland.