About Fritidsforum
Fritidsforum is a non governmental organisation with about 350 youth clubs and neighbourhood centers affiliated.
The first neighbourhood center in Sweden, Birkagården in Stockholm, was established in 1912. The founders were inspired by the settlement movement in Great Britain.
The idea of neighbourhood centers was spread over the country and 1937 a national organisation was founded. After the Secon War a lot of youth clubs were established.
Today Fritidsforum is a multipurpose organisation for social, cultural and educational work. The constitution states that the overall aim is to encourage and help, especially young people, to develop their possibilities and capabillities to take part in the society. Fritidsforum works with this aim through developing programs, which promotes good opportunities for public participation.Education and learning are important activities of Fritidsforum. Each year Fritidsforum arranges seminars, courses and meetings for voluntary and professional leaders. The educational activities concern very much different parts and aspects of community work. There is also a long tradition of peace activities.The national headquarter deals with service, rooted in the very basic needs of clubs and neighbourhood centers, together with developing new methods of working.
Fritidsforum also publishes a magazine Fria Tider and is in charge of a publisinghouse. Fritidsforum is a member of UFN, the Nordic youth club organisation, ECYC, European Confederation of Youth Clubs, as well as IFS, International Federation of Settlements and Neighbourhood Centres.