A total number of 31 145 persons applied for asylum in Norway in 2015, representing a huge increase from the 11 000 who applied for asylum in 2014. This development follows a decade that has witnessed the largest growth of immigrants in modern times.
As of January 1, 2015, the number of immigrants living in Norway totalled 669 378. People seeking employment opportunities comprised the largest group driving the growth of immigrants during the decade but immigration for the purpose of the family reunion was also an important factor. Refugee immigration has until recently remained more stable. Asylum seekers who obtain refugee status have a low return rate and several refugee groups grow over time. Refugees and family reunion immigrants experience – not surprisingly - more difficulties gaining access to employment.
Research on efforts to integrate refugees has been in focus at Fafo since the mid- 1990s. We have followed the introduction scheme from its inception as a trial project over into its implementation as official policy. In addition, we have carried out evaluations of the policy.
Our research interests are centred on the feasibility and effectiveness of different plans, as well as client participation and client experiences. We have also examined the ethical implications of the use of obligatory schemes of qualification and economic sanctions regarding a group that has few alternative sources of sustenance.
We have also completed a number of projects connected to NAV’s (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) role in integration efforts, both as a partner in the introduction project and as an independent actor for whom immigrants are a steadily more important client group. In the present situation, knowledge about how to ease the influx of refugees into the labour market is more important than ever.
Universalism and equality of services are important principles for the Norwegian welfare state. A substantial part of research on the welfare state’s services for immigrants, therefore, revolves around the ordinary range of services that is offered to the population at large. While we already have mentioned NAV, all other service areas employ ‘mainstreaming’ as an underlying principle: services should be appropriate to both immigrants and citizens such that both groups receive an equal service provision. Equality is however not a simple concept that can easily be implemented, and our research points out that realization of political goals is often difficult for first-line service providers.
‘Mainstreaming’ implies that the area of research on integration branches out into the whole area of research on social services. This area of research has been an important theme in Fafo’s research on daycare, child protection and education.
Nerina Weiss & Nina Gren
Mission Impossible?Jon Horgen Friberg
Does selective acculturation work?Hanne C. Kavli & Roy Nilsen
Stepping in or stepping out? Immigrant women at work in Norway | 2019 | Les mer om boka / Read more at Policy PressAnne Britt Djuve & Hanne C. Kavli
Refugee integration policy the Norwegian way – why good ideas fail and bad ideas prevail. | 2018/2019 | Les artikkelen / Read the articleJon Horgen Friberg og Arnfinn H. Midtbøen
Innvandrernes etterkommere: Teoretiske og komparative perspektiver | 2017 | Åpen tilgang / Open accessJon H. Friberg & Arnfinn H. Midtbøen
Ethnicity as skill: immigrant employment hierarchies in Norwegian low-wage labour markets | 2017 | Les artikkelen / Read the articleGunn Elisabeth Birkelund, Kristian Heggebø and Jon Rogstad
Additive or Multiplicative Disadvantage?Friberg, J.H. & Olav Elgvin
Når velferdsstaten bryter tilliten ned: Somaliske innvandrere i møte med NAVAnne Britt Djuve og Hanne C. Kavli
Facilitating User Influence in Activation Programs. When Carers and Clerks meet Pawns and Queens.Anne Britt Djuve, Anniken Hagelund og Hanne Kavli
Innvandrede kvinner i kvalifiseringAnniken Hagelund og Hanne C. Kavli
If work is out of sight. Activation and citizenship for new refugeesHanne C. Kavli
Introduksjon av nyankomne flyktninger og innvandrere i Danmark, Sverige og NorgeAnne Britt Djuve
Nordiske erfaringer med arbeidsmarkedstiltak for innvandrereAnne Britt Djuve og Hanne Cecilie Kavli
Velferdsstatens skreddere | 2007Anne Britt Djuve og Hanne Cecilie Kavli
Integreringspolitikk i endring | 2007Anne Britt Djuve
Introduksjonsordning for nyankomne innvandrere – integrering eller overgrep?Tone Fløtten
Den norske modellen i et oppvekstperspektiv | 2017 Oppvekstrapporten 2017 | Bufdirs side om rapportenAnne Britt Djuve
Integrering i randsonenAnne Britt Djuve
Hvem inkluderer innvandrere? | 2005Hanne C. Kavli
En liste til besvær | 2016 | https://www.kommunal-rapport.no/kronikk/en-liste-til-besvaer/112487!/Hanne C. Kavli
Skredder uten tråd | 2016 | https://www.kommunal-rapport.no/kronikk/skredder-uten-trad/112395!/Anne Britt Djuve, Hanne Cecilie Kavli & Tina Østberg
Frivillig integrering? | 2001Ragnhild Steen Jensen og Julia Orupabo
Evaluering av forsøket med moderat kvotering av innvandrere | 2010Anne Britt Djuve og Elisabeth Gulløy
Veileder i brukerundersøkelser når innvandrere er brukere | 2010 | Les mer / Read moreJulia Orupabo, Ragnhild Steen Jensen og Aagoth Storvik
Midtveisevaluering av moderat kvotering av innvandrere med ikke-vestlig bakgrunn | 2009Anne Britt Djuve og Hanne C. Kavli
Felles utfordringer – like løsninger?Anne Britt Djuve og Hanne Kavli
Integrering i Danmark, Sverige og Norge: Felles utfordringer – like løsninger? | 2007 | NettutgaveAnne Britt Djuve
Ung, farget og arbeidsledig? | 1997Anne Britt Djuve og Jon Rogstad
The black gold in Norway – immigrants and the labour market in the future | 1999