Vemund Østby Brenderyen currently lives in Hamar to complete his apprenticeship as an electrician. But every month he makes the long trip over Venabygdsfjellet to Folldal to attend a municipal council meeting. 20 miles each way. He is only 19 years old. But has already become popular. – It is incredible pride and a great vote of confidence. I feel an enormous responsibility towards the residents and young people in the municipality, it is a responsibility I take very seriously, says Brenderyen. Vemund Østby Brenderyen says that the first time as elected by the people has been demanding with a lot of new things to get used to. But he has been prepared for that. Photo: Ingrid Turtum / news A record few young people stood for election last year Vemund is one of around 11,000 elected representatives who were elected to the municipal or county councils in Norway this autumn. Figures from Statistics Norway show that 53,306 stood for county and municipal elections in 2023. Of these, only 5,069 were aged 18–29. This is a share of 9.5 per cent. At the same time, young people in the same age group make up 15 percent of the population in Norway. During the last five election periods, there have never been as few people aged 18–29 who stood for election as in 2023. Photo: Skjermbilde / SSB Therefore, fewer people want to enter local politics news has been in contact with several young elected officials who have made the move himself or elected and not stand for election for another term in the municipal council. They state this as some of the reasons behind: Moving, studying and changing living situations have made it difficult to follow up the responsibility that lies in a local political office. Follow-up and guidance in many countries has led to many people experiencing the first period as popular authority particularly demanding. A change of residential address due to work means that many young elected representatives have to resign from the municipality and county council, as you must be registered in the current municipality for which you stand for election. Several have experienced great stress due to incitement, threats and harassment, which has made it difficult for them to stand for long periods of time. These young elected officials with whom news has been in contact wish to remain anonymous, due to sensitive information and a fear of hanging. A democratic problem Vemund is one of the few representatives under the age of 30 in Norway. KS believes that this is a major democratic challenge that must be addressed. – The decline in young people who wish to stand for election during municipal and county elections is a major challenge, says Dag-Henrik Sandbakken, head of department at KS and head of the KS local government programme. Today, the median age for municipal council representatives is 49 years. Sandbakken admits that this is a major democratic problem that must be tackled. Photo: Ingvild Eide Furthermore, he adds that Norway has a representative democracy, and it will therefore be important that all social groups are represented at all political levels. – We know that men and women often look at certain issues differently, a young person’s view can differ from an older person’s view, etc. A diversity of public authorities gives a diversity of opinions, fields of interest and expertise. Feeling a great sense of awe Vemund recently participated in budget negotiations for the first time. Before he entered he was excited. – I sense a fear of honor that gets to decide what the municipality will spend the 200 million on, said Brenderyen before the meeting. He has been preparing for the budget negotiation for several weeks and has spent many hours reading countless pages of case papers. Photo: Ingrid Turtum / news As a young elected official and representative of the Center Party, it is important for him to both represent the party, but also the young voices in the municipality. – There is not a lot of young labor here, and as an apprentice myself, I am pleased to see that the board has advocated for more apprenticeship places in the municipality, says Brenderyen from the podium. – I am not just a representative of SP and the residents here, but I will also represent the young people and our interests. Something that can quickly lead to a conflict of interest”. Photo: Ingrid Turtum / news How are things going with the young people’s representatives? news has spoken to four young elected representatives about what the first time as a local council representative has been like. – The first period has been hectic, but exciting. It is both frightening and wonderful to receive such trust, says Mathias Engeli Johansen (23), who is the municipal council representative for FrP in Ringsaker. – Young people are more and more exposed to the cancellation culture in society, something that causes many young people to resent to use their voice. It is therefore even more important to recruit young people into politics, so that all voices are heard, underlines Johansen. Vårin Dagsgard-Marstein (19) was elected as a municipal council representative for the Socialist Left Party in Lom last autumn. – The first half of the year has been very good, I have been received very well, and feel that I am allowed to be myself and am taken seriously. – What is nice about having such positions is primarily that understand better what is happening around you, and why it is happening. – It is something completely different to be a public figure now than before. The debate climate online is hot! Something I think can make more young people refuse to get involved, adds Dagsgard-Marstein. Omar Svendsen-Yagci (19) is a municipal council representative for the Liberal Party in Gjøvik municipality. He has experienced the first period as incredibly rewarding and educational. – I feel that the follow-up has been good, I recently participated in KS’s Folkevald program. At the same time, I miss more young people to spar with, says the nineteen-year-old. – The learning curve has been incredibly steep, but the entire municipal board has been encouraging. We have been good at supporting each other, even if we have different views on political matters, says Tuva Rognås Strømmen (18), municipal council representative for the Labor Party in Nord-Aurdal municipality. – I have received good help from party colleagues, but I have at times known me alone as the only young person in the municipal council. – I would like the follow-up of young elected officials to be somewhat better, for example a better introduction to reading case papers. There is a lot that is new and demanding to get used to, adds Strømmen. The People’s Choice Program All municipalities and county councils are members of the Municipal Sector Organisation, further abbreviated as KS. To ensure that the new elected officials receive follow-up and guidance in local political positions, they offer training through KS’s elected officials programme. The program aims to strengthen a good local democracy with a high level of trust, contribute to security, increase motivation and a greater understanding of the role of public authority. Through a course, elected officials can participate in a two-day meeting, meet to discuss and reflect on their role as elected officials. So far, 300 municipalities have participated in these courses. KS also offers a digital course for new elected officials with an introduction to what happens in a municipal council and what is expected of you as a elected official. Here, the elected representatives get insight into: The municipality’s tasks and responsibilities. Knowledge of what it takes to get an issue on the agenda. Tips for what to think about when you enter the lectern for the first time, but also how to give a speech. Support from party members has been incredibly important As the youngest representative in Folldal municipal council, the close cooperation and follow-up from party members has been incredibly important for Vemund Østby Brenderyen now at the start. – There is a lot that is new and sometimes it is a bit overwhelming, so it has been absolutely decisive that I have good people around me who answer stupid questions and include me in the discussions. Before each municipal council meeting, Brenderyen has a meeting with his party colleagues. Here he can ask questions and get input from experienced politicians who have been in the “game” for a long time. Photo: Ingrid Turtum / news At the same time as the party members have been an important resource for Brenderyen, he has also been an important resource for us in the municipal council, underlines Jon Olav Ryen, local team leader in the Center Party. Jon Olav Ryen, local team leader in the Center Party, feels that it is difficult to recruit young people into local politics. He is therefore grateful that the party has included Brenderyen in the team. Photo: Ingrid Turtum / news – Vemund is already an incredibly committed and skilled politician, he brings with him a young perspective that is valuable for us in the party and for the entire municipality, says Ryen. The meeting is over for this time and tomorrow awaits the weekday in Hamar as an electrician-apprentice again, but the young politician does not look darkly at taking on the further work as a public authority in the new year. – The budget negotiations went beyond all expectations. It’s a rewarding position that I look forward to working with, I don’t imagine that I’m going to give it up right away. Photo: Ingrid Turtum / news
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How is it going with the young people’s representatives? – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
