When Voluntary Work Meets Bureaucracy: A Personal, Political and Practical Analysis of Urban Sustainability Initiatives

Abstract

As the populations of the world's cities are increasing at rapid rates, the development of effective sustainable solutions for urban areas is an important measure to mitigate further exacerbation of the environment. However, research has shown that there are challenges related to both participatory initiatives and policy measures for sustainability. In this thesis, I will explore how Oslo Municipality facilitates voluntary sustainable initiatives through the funding scheme Green Funds in District Sagene through the following question: How can experiences from the Green Funds help to discover solutions for urban sustainability initiatives? Building on previous research and transformation literature, this thesis contributes to an understanding of how the strengths of political measures and participatory approaches can be coordinated. Through semi-structured interviews, this research investigates how the expectations, challenges, and lessons differ between beneficiaries of the Green Funds and the administrative staff who manage the scheme. The results indicate that while Green Fund projects can lead to social benefits and environmental awareness, they also represent challenges related to social diversity, project management, and opposing expectations. On this basis, it is recommended that the aim and structure of the Green Funds be communicated more clearly to avoid different expectations, and that staff members facilitate beneficiaries to the best of their abilities to generate successful projects.