Innovating Through Collaboration

The most important energy source for the future is collaboration. SoCentral believes that society already has all the resources needed to solve the challenges we face—but we must find better ways to use them.

That’s why SoCentral operates as a pioneer in discovering new ways to utilise existing resources. We do this together with municipalities, businesses, and citizens who are committed to developing a better and more sustainable society.

Bilde fra en felleslunsj i miljøet.

SoCentral work with municipalities, businesses and citizens to develop a more sustainable society. We facilitate and drive collaborative projects with the aim of creating tangible examples of how we can improve society by better utilisation of society's resources.

We are a team with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skills, working every day to bring out the best in each other. Together, we have developed a culture and way of working that we are proud of.

SoCentral was founded in 2012, is a non-profit company and owned by its employees. The value we create is reinvested into the company and into new development projects. We do not receive regular financial support from the government or foundations. Feel free to take a look at our articles of association and financial statements (in norwegian).

Thomas Berman
Cathrine Skar
Håkon Iversen
Stina Låstad (i permisjon)
Thomas Evensen
Marie Harbo Dahle (i permisjon)
Sofie Furu
Karin Lindgård
Mette Øinæs Habberstad
Bjørn Ole Kosberg Fuglseth
Nora Ulrikke Andersen
Guro Ranum

Community for Societal Innovation

On the two top floors at Sentralen in the city centre of Oslo, SoCentral is running a community for social innovation. This is a workplace and a community of people working on new solutions based on the sustainable development goals.

Our members are both established and newly started businesses and come from the private, public and voluntary sectors. Everyone is interested in how, through new collaborations, we can contribute to lifting the world forward.

Contact our Head of Community Karin Lindgård, via email or phone, or read more here (in norwegian) to find out how you can be part of our community.

Collaborative projects

SoCentral acts as a partner on collaborative projects to develop and test new solutions to important societal challenges like sustainable city development, climate change or inclusion and diversity.

Using our unique network, we gather people and resources, and share in-depth knowledge on innovation in both the public and private sector.

Contact our CEO, Thomas Berman, via email or phone to find out how we can work together.

Folkepanel: Bærekraftig forbruk

A national citizens' assembly on how we can reduce consumption in Norway while living good lives. The assembly will provide advice for the government's white paper on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Framtidspanelet

What choices do we have today that could be crucial for our shared future? This assembly initiates a national conversation about Norway's wealth and how it can be used to benefit both current and future gen.

Arena for ombruk i byggebransjen

The National Knowledge Hub for Reuse in the Construction Industry brings together over 30 stakeholders to promote circular solutions and streamline the reuse of building materials.

Arena for klima og natur i planlegging

Together with the Norwegian Environment Agency and the Ministry of Government and District Affairs, we developed a capacity-building initiative on climate and nature for planners in Norwegian municipalities.

Fremtidens Nabolagshus

Many buildings stand empty and fall into disrepair across the country. Together with partners, we are developing a toolkit that helps in the development and operation of much needed community centers.

Boligmerket

A certification scheme for rental properties aimed at providing security for tenants by highlighting reputable landlords and the quality of the properties.

Idrettshoder - skole og idrett

A project that provides all children in grades 1-4 at selected schools the opportunity to participate in free sports activities. Local testing provides answers to how schools and sports clubs can collaborate.

Folkepanel: Larvik

A random selection of residents from Larvik municipality came together over six months to describe what was important to them in the development of a central urban area in Larvik.

Sirkulær Ressurssentral

Contributes to increased reuse of building materials through a knowledge hub for reuse in the construction industry, research, and one of Europe's largest marketplaces for the reuse of building materials.

Biermannsgården

SoCentral works together with the community and children and youth to explore how this house can become an inclusive, urban community center with a lasting economic and operational model.

Folkepanel

Citizens' assemblies are an internationally recognized and research-based engagement method recommended by the OECD. SoCentral has since 2019 helped put it to use for government and civil society in Norway.

Semja
Semja
START
2019

Semja is a model for co-financing between public and private actors for solutions that can achieve significant societal impact.

Landbrukets innovasjonscamp

Agriculture Innovation Camp gathered interdisciplinary expertise from to find tomorrow’s solutions in agriculture.

Social Startup

Collaboration with Ferd Social Entrepreneurs on the development of an accelerator program for social entrepreneurs, now known as Impact Startup.

BOOST Refugee
Boost Refugee
START
2017

Boost Refugee was a program for social entrepreneurs that facilitated access to the labor market for newly arrived refugees in Oslo.

Vollebekk Fabrikker

Vollebekk Fabrikker was a temporary space for the development and incubation of solutions in circular economy, green production, and business and neighborhood development.

Inkluderingsdager

A meeting place and collaboration arena for stakeholders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors who wish to be a resource for inclusion in our society.

Pådriv

17.17 is a tool that makes it easier for individuals, businesses, organizations, and municipalities to contribute to sustainable change. Many talk about sustainability. 17.17 is for those who take action.

BUA
BUA
START
2014

Is a national non-profit organization that makes it easier for everyone to borrow equipment for sports and outdoor activities, allowing them to try a variety of activities. SoCentral was the initiator.

ASKER Velferdslab
Welfare-lab
START
2014

A model for better collaboration among public actors that can improve the living conditions of residents and families.