According to RF-SISU Norrbotten, tradition and experience have long dominated sports, with older generations in control. Research shows a majority of Swedish children over seven participate in organized sports, and Norrbotten has over 800 sports clubs. The Swedish Sports Confederation defines children's sports as ages 7-12 and youth sports up to 20, with guidelines focusing on safety, participation, joy, versatility, and health.
Competition is natural but results matter less; all should participate equally. A recent attitude shift has seen more clubs supporting competition on children's terms, with some team sports removing tables for under-13s. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is now law in Sweden, applying to sports.
I have learned how I can communicate better with the children and make them feel safer.
The Idrottsforum 2024 and 2025 gathered young leaders from across Norrbotten for workshops and networking. In 2024, 50 young people from 21 clubs and 16 sports participated. Nearly all learned something new and would recommend it; 8 out of 10 met someone new.
The 2025 forum, free for members, included activities like theater workshops on leadership and functional training. se, described learning to communicate better and become more engaged leaders. The Go Youth initiative, in partnership with Sparbanken Nord, Region Norrbotten, and Längmanska företagarfonden, aims to give young people roles as leaders, organizers, and decision-makers.
It has been exciting and nice to meet new people.
se, Katarina Halvardsson said the project gives young people self-esteem and influence, while adults need to listen and support. Region Norrbotten and RF-SISU Norrbotten are deepening cooperation to promote youth well-being and mental health.
I have learned how to speak to appear more engaged. It has been useful and I think I will become a better leader. I look forward to Sunday's elective sessions where I have chosen the theme 'engage'.
We want the Idrottsforum to give participants a broad palette of insights and fill them with knowledge that strengthens them in their roles. In an association, there are many paths to engagement – as a coach for groups, as a board member or official. By showing the breadth of opportunities, we hope that more young people dare to take place and contribute with their ideas and energy.
We see what an enormous difference young people make when they get the right support and space. Go Youth gives them self-esteem, knowledge and the opportunity to influence for real. When young people grow, both sports and all of Norrbotten grow.
For young people to want to engage, adults need to become better at listening, supporting and giving responsibility. Therefore, parts of the project are aimed at associations and federations, which need knowledge, inspiration and well-thought-out structures to enable young engagement.
We want politicians and officials to understand young people's everyday lives, so that they actually prioritize young people in their decisions. At the same time, we can strengthen the region's skills supply by bringing together the business community with young leaders – where voluntary engagement is seen as a clear merit.