Newsroom - Arendals Fossekompani - Community Engagement

Gard and Arendals Fossekompani support GAME Streethouse Arendal

In a joint effort to promote inclusion and diversity, Gard and Arendals Fossekompani are joining as supporters of GAME Streethouse Arendal. "An exciting project that can counteract exclusion," says Gard's Organizational Director, Lars Lislegard-Bækken.

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Photo of Lars Lislegard-Bækken (COO at Gard) Rolf  Josephsen (Leader at Game Norge) and Benjamin Goulding (CEO at Arendals Fossekompani) standing in front of a banner displaying the GAME Streethouse Arendal project.
From the left: Lars Lislegard-Bækken (COO at Gard) Rolf Josephsen (Leader at Game Norge) and Benjamin Goulding (CEO at Arendals Fossekompani)

Gard is providing startup support for the new building, while Arendals Fossekompani is contributing 1.5 million kroner over three years to the new initiative.


GAME Streethouse Arendal will offer a wide range of free, low-threshold activities that are designed to promote unity and a sense of community and that go beyond the more traditional sports and cultural offerings in the city.


Need for more meeting places

“Arendals Fossekompani is proud to contribute to this important work for the youth in the municipality. We see that there has been a lack of non-traditional activities for children and young people who are not part of the traditional offerings,” says Benjamin Golding, CEO of Arendals Fossekompani.


Gard sees great potential in the project

“We have a long tradition of supporting both sports and culture in the local community. This is in many ways a continuation of our commitment, while also involving something new and different,” says Lislegard-Bækken.


“Arendal needs open and inclusive meeting places that take into account the diversity among youth, where people can meet on equal terms, regardless of background and resources. We hope more see the value of this and that more supporters will come into the field,” he adds.


Growth and development of GAME Streethouse Arendal

“We are very impressed with the work that has been done so far, both in terms of conceptualizing the building, the content, and the mobilization to involve the business community and the municipality. We believe GAME Streethouse Arendal can become an important resource for the youth in Arendal,” says Golding.


“Game Norway is very proud that both Arendals Fossekompani and Gard now choose to come in as key supporters to realize GAME Streethouse Arendal. This gives us and the project weight, credibility, and solid local anchoring, which has always been important to us,” says Rolf Josephsen, leader of Game Norway.


The support from Gard and Arendals Fossekompani will initially go towards the establishment and completion of GAME Streethouse Arendal, which will be located on the old site of Arendals Fire Station. Further support will go towards the development of the offerings and activities at the house.


About GAME Streethouse:

GAME was initially established in Denmark in 2002 and has since expanded to several other countries. The Danish GAME organization today activates about 150,000 children and young people. The goal is for the youth themselves to be active leaders and role models through their own Playmaker program.


With Arendal as a pilot, the goal in the long term is to create an offering in other parts of the country. GAME Streethouse Arendal will offer a wide range of free, low-threshold leisure activities that go beyond the more "traditional" sports and cultural offerings in the city, and which are designed to promote unity and a sense of community.


About Arendals Fossekompani:

Arendals Fossekompani is a long-term investment company that owns energy and technology-related companies developing the next generation of industrial technology.

Arendals Fossekompani has been a proud producer of renewable hydropower for over 100 years.


About Gard:

Gard is a globally leading marine insurance company headquartered in Arendal. The company has 13 offices globally and over 650 employees.

Gard offers liability insurance and marine and energy insurance to a variety of actors within the maritime industry. The company places great emphasis on damage prevention, sustainability, and consulting.

Benjamin Game Street 2
Future building site of GAME Streethouse Arendal.