Cross-Cultural + Cross-Sectoral Collaboration For Children and Youth

Mayor Marit Warncke brings to public life a unique combination of intellectual depth, civic courage, and long-term leadership. Trained as a psychologist, she has spent decades shaping Bergen’s social and economic fabric, most notably through her fifteen years as CEO of the Bergen Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where she strengthened collaboration between business, education, and community life—while also becoming the first woman to chair the organization’s board. As Mayor of Bergen, she serves as a political leader and as a united representative of the city itself, championing dialogue, inclusion, and sustainable development across sectors.

The power of cross-cultural and cross-sectoral collaboration is precisely what has led Mayor Warncke into meaningful conversations with Meteva Sport og Helse’s founder, Louise Mohn, and her sister-in-law, Kataya Mohn to witness firsthand their NextGen Neighbor Network (NNN) framework in action. This represents cross-cultural and cross-sectoral collaboration with basketball as a vehicle for integration, inclusion and belonging, regardless of performance; but rather focus on SOCIAL CAPITAL; which is the building block of our society.

This has already shown significant socio-economic benefits for society in Bergen after two years of successful pilot projects. Through engagement with its super role models—elite athletes and leaders from across Bergen’s BLNO basketball clubs—she saw how children and young people are placed at the very center of the work. Sport, in this context, becomes far more than competition or trophies, it becomes a vehicle for change, growth, inclusion, and belonging.

Internationally, basketball has long served as a platform for social responsibility and moral leadership. From the NBA’s public stance against racism to athletes using their visibility to advocate for justice and equality, history shows that sport can—and does—shape societal values. Bergen’s basketball culture stands firmly within this tradition, grounded in local history and identity through clubs such as Gimle, Ulriken Eagles,  and many more, each carrying generations of commitment to youth development and community life. NNN’s co-founder Bouna Black Ndiaye brings home eight years of professional basketball experience both ON and OFF the court, from countries such as USA, Spain, France, UK, Iceland and China.

As Inge Andersen, Chair of the Board at NTG (Norges Toppidrettsgymnas), shared at the World Summit of Ethics and Leadership in Basel, Switzerland: Every child has the right to play and participate in sports, and to be part of an inclusive environment—regardless of background, financial situation or parental involvement.

Louise Mohn, also one of the main speakers at the World Summit of Ethics and Leadership in Basel highlighted the NextGen Neighbor Network and the power of professional athletes taking social responsibility in a time of severe and escalating youth crime.

Marit Warncke raised a vital question following - How do we implement the NextGen Neighbor Network (NNN) framework in Bergen?

Basketakademiet in Bergen already offers a successful and living example of this approach, where Role Models from competing basketball clubs in the area collaborate, coach, and train children and youth from all over Bergen, collectively in the same camps — free of charge and fully inclusive.

This model holds no political agenda, recognizes no borders, and excludes no one. It represents a shift in paradigm for how social capital is built—where responsible adults actively demonstrate unity, collectivity, and care for the next generation. The same framework may be used for other sports, culture or local areas.

Another effective and tangible example of the NNN framework is the collaboration between schools, sports and culture leading up to the launch of Miljøplakaten Sandslihallen pilot project; developed by Miriam Danielsen, Lisbeth Sandtorv, Arne Ingebrigtsen and Meteva Sport og Helse in close collaboration with Gneist, Ytrebygda Basketballklubb and their local ambassadors. 

The NextGen Neighbor Network’s I CARE Offline is the New Hello campaign, has been visibly embraced by the majority of sports clubs across the Bergen region and beyond. The campaign reminds both children and adults of the importance of putting phones and selfies aside in order to be present, engaged, and genuinely connected with one another. When children see adults actually caring, paying attention, listening with high awareness, trust is slowly being built and relationships are nurtured.

Meteva Sport og Helse is grateful for Mayor Marit Warncke and her interest, compassion and dedication for children and youth in Bergen. Understanding NextGen Neighbor Network by witnessing its framework in action is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more.