Bufetat will ride with Arctic Race of Norway until 2020
May 2 nd 2018 - 11:18
The Children, Youth and Family Authority (Bufetat) region north has experienced a remarkable increase in fosterhome interest after they entered into a collaboration with Arctic Race of Norway. With the Minister for Children and Equality present, an extended cooperation was signed to run until 2020.
Bufetat region north entered in 2015 into a three-year long cooperation with the Arctic Race of Norway. The goal of the non-commercial cooperation was to honour foster families, raise knowledge about the need for fosterhomes in the region, recruit more foster homes, and focus on the importance of giving foster children positive interests and experiences.
A recent evaluation of the cooperation shows that Bufetat's participation in the race has created a significant increase in the interest in, and knowledge of, foster homes. Figures from Bufetat show that since 2015 there has been an average annual increase of 100 percent in the number of inquiries from people who want to know more about being a foster home. The current peak year came in 2016, when the Bodø office alone experienced an increase of 213 percent.
A public survey conducted by Sponsor Insight in 2017 also shows that the knowledge of the partnership is high in the region. 48 percent said that they, unassisted or assisted, remember Bufetat as a partner of the Arctic Race. 54 per cent of the respondents associate Bufetat with foster care and 25 per cent connect Bufetat with the colour purple, which was the colour of the clothes of the Bufetat supporters during the Arctic Race of Norway.
"As a sporting event, the Arctic Race of Norway represents commitment, unity, spirit of goodwill, healthy attitudes, physical education and the feeling of mastering – values that help ensure children and young people secure upbringing. In addition to raising awareness of Bufetat, this cooperation honours all foster homes. Creating more foster homes is our goal, and it is therefore natural to extend the coopertion with three new years", says Pål Christian Bergstrøm, Regional Director in Bufetat region north.
Active part of the ARN
The Arctic Race and Bufetat have collaborated on several levels. Among other things, the foster families have participated in various activities related to the event, and foster children have been handing out the "Viking Jersey" for the best helping riders in the race. In addition, the parties have participated in joint events.
"Bufetat supporters have shown an unprecedented commitment that has been noticed both along the route and on TV. Bufetat has definitely helped make the Arctic Race what it is today. The cooperation has shown that our shared commitment helps to highlight the needs for good and safe upbringing for fosterhome children and young people in Northern Norway, a result we are very proud of", says CEO of the Arctic Race of Norway, Knut-Eirik Dybdal.
The agreement was extended by three new years in a signing meeting in Narvik, where the Minister for Children and Equality, Linda Hoffstad Helleland, also was present.
" I have been fortunate enough to attend the ARN as Minister of Culture and have noticed all the purple coloured ambassadors of Bufetat along the trails. A sporting event like the ARN helps to highlight these important values, and taking social responsibility in this way is an example for others to follow. I look forward to following this cooperation onwards", says Linda Hofstad Helleland.