innlandet

ABOUT PILOT AREA

The Kongsvinger region is situated in southern part of Innlandet county, close to the Swedish border, the region consists of six municipalities: Kongsvinger, Eidskog, Sør‑Odal, Nord‑Odal, Grue and Åsnes, with Kongsvinger town as the central hub for services and employment.
The landscape is dominated by forests, cultivated land and the Glomma river, and includes Finnskogen, historically linked to Forest Finn migration and today recognised as part of Norway’s national minority heritage. The region has a population of around 49,000 with an ageing demographic the region is experiencing increased pressure on welfare services.

The Kongsvinger region in Innlandet county faces a range of social and demographic challenges that require strategic planning and inclusive solutions. Some areas are experiencing population decline; others have a challenging demography with a higher percentage of residents above the age of 67 than in the 0-19 age range. Domestic migration contributes to depopulation, and limited access to services and infrastructure further reinforces social exclusion.
At the same time, evolving social and technological trends are reshaping traditional rural lifestyles and community structures. The region has active civil society organizations, especially those representing people with disabilities, but these groups often face barriers to participation in local development processes. Despite challenges, the region offers strong foundations for community-led inclusion. A vibrant voluntary sector provides social arenas, and Innlandet’s Regional Plan for the Inclusive Innlandet prioritises competence, lifelong learning, and inclusive working life. Local social‑economy initiatives such as Eskoleia (Kongsvinger) and Vekstbedriften Vilja (Eidskog) demonstrate how industrial traditions can be mobilised for social goals, combining production with tailored training and follow‑up to help individuals overcome barriers to employment

ABOUT VULNERABLE GROUPS OF THE PILOT AREA

ESIRA’s work in Kongsvinger focuses primarily on people with disabilities, who face barriers due to limited universal design in physical spaces and communication. Inadequate accessibility can lead to “double exclusion,” and there is a clear need for inclusive environments for the different types of disabilities.
Other vulnerabilities intersect with these challenges, including young adults struggling with education or work, older residents at risk of isolation, and immigrants who encounter language barriers. These factors combine to create complex patterns of social exclusion in rural communities. While the primary target groups is people with disabilities the initiatives developed by the Kongsvinger MAP will provide potential benefits for many other people who find themselves in vulnerable situations.