Kristiansand – A creative city with ambitions Photo: Tor Erik Schrøder 2 | A CREATIVE CITY WITH AMBITIONS An attractive, innovative region Kristiansand is considered the capital of Southern Norway Kristiansand is brimming with opportunities not only and the heart of the region. It is the fifth largest city in when it comes to professional life but also in terms of Norway, with 92,000 inhabitants. While it can offer the variety leisure activities. It is an attractive place to live, with of any big city, Kristiansand has also successfully preserved a vibrant cultural scene, a pleasant climate, some of the many of the special qualities of smaller towns. The city has country’s best recreational activities in close proximity, been a driving force in promoting positive city and town and the European continent easily reachable by just development, and was awarded Statens pris for attraktiv a short ferry ride. by (the Government’s Attractive City Award) in 2018. Southern Norway is quite a tourist magnet, and due Its proximity to the neighbouring municipalities of Søgne, to Kristiansand’s idyllic location among the skerries, Songdalen, Iveland, Vennesla, Birkenes and Lillesand has it has become Norway’s most popular tourist city. contributed to Kristiansand’s combined residential and job market with a total population of 141,000. The city is home to global leaders in the oil and gas service industry, which has helped put Kristiansand on the world Kristiansand is number map and make Vest-Agder Norway’s largest export county one in exports per capita. Through innovation, this industry has successfully maintained its position in the global market. A CREATIVE CITY WITH AMBITIONS | 3 Photo: Anders Martinsen fotografer 4 | A CREATIVE CITY WITH AMBITIONS Release your creativity The Kristiansand region can offer a wide range of oppor- The region is seeing significant entrepreneurial growth, tunities for job seekers and companies alike. With a large with many new businesses popping up. Many of these number of international companies and many smaller, work together in shared office spaces designed especially specialised businesses that are rapidly developing, for start-ups. There is excellent support available for there are many career opportunities here. entrepreneurs: advisors, incubators, entrepreneurship training, support providers, laboratories and research Its research and educational communities, the large communities are among the components of a system processing industry and the tech companies in the business that stimulates and fosters innovation in the region. hub GCE NODE are the largest contributors to innovation in this region. Strong industry groups form a solid network and create new jobs. A wide range of global competitive expertise A CREATIVE CITY WITH AMBITIONS | 5 Sharp minds Research and educational institutions characterise the Kristiansand is home to particularly strong professional Kristiansand region, stimulating innovation in partnership communities in tech and social sciences. Many local indu- with private companies. This is a close collaboration, strial companies like Elkem and Glencore, National Oilwell and in many projects sharp minds from different disciplines Varco, MH Wirth, McGregor and others invest heavily in will come together. In Kristiansand, it is important that joint projects with the Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE). public procurement shall lead to innovation, modernise NORCE is one of the country’s leading research institutions, the municipality and develop businesses. The Sørlandet spanning several fields such as tech, energy, environment, Knowledge Foundation (SKF) supports knowledge-building social sciences, environment and health. projects in Vest-Agder county. Their goal is to secure and establish jobs and good living conditions. There are also a number of private educational institutions in Kristiansand. NLA University College Gimlekollen offers The University of Agder (UiA) has 13,000 students, degree programmes in journalism, communication and around 1,300 employees, more than 150 different degree philosophy. Ansgar University College and Theological programmes and a rising number of researchers and PhD Seminary offers programmes in theology, music, psychology fellows. UiA is a young, innovative university. Together with and intercultural studies. Noroff Kristiansand offers college local businesses, it has built up some leading research and vocational programmes in IT, design, 3D and sound communities in fields such as renewable energy. UiA is and film. the largest single organisation in research and development. However, there are several entities outside the university Sørlandet Hospital (SSHF) is home to around 40 that conduct extensive research activity in a number researchers working on their PhD. SSHF is also among of fields. the non-university hospitals in the country conducting the most research, and one of their stated goals is that they shall once again achieve the position of top researching non-university hospital. Research and educational institutions work closely together 6 | A CREATIVE CITY WITH AMBITIONS Photo: Anders Martinsen fotografer A CREATIVE CITY WITH AMBITIONS | 7 Photo: Anders Martinsen fotografer 8 | A CREATIVE CITY WITH AMBITIONS Dynamic networks The region has clear ambitions of making a targeted, The business hub GCE NODE consists of around 100 comprehensive effort to stimulate business, and to businesses and gathers world-leading, cutting-edge expertise promote the region as an area of growth and expertise. in high-tech energy production under extreme conditions. Business Region Kristiansand invites the business, acade- Businesses in this hub include National Oilwell Varco, mic and public sectors to work together on joint projects MH Wirth, Cameron Sense and MacGregor. for business development and growth in the region. The goal is to continue developing a skilled, innovative, The processing industry in Agder gathers at NCE EYDE and attractive and international business sector. consists of businesses in a global market with demanding international owners. The business members have a unique Næringsforeningen i Kristiansandsregionen (the Kristi- position in their market and export world-class, sustainable ansand Regional Business Association) has around 1000 products. These businesses include Glencore, GE Healthcare, business members. The association promotes business Saint Gobain, Elkem and Alcoa. interests to help give the region attractive qualities that will make people want to live here. Digin is Southern Norway’s ICT industrial network, with over 80 members from private companies, public organisations The Kristiansand region has businesses and communities and academia. Their vision is to make Southern Norway the with high-tech expertise and broad international contacts. best in digital solutions. The largest networks and hubs are in the energy, maritime technology and processing industries, as well as renewable USUS is a business hub for companies in tourism, energy, ICT and tourism. By working together, these hubs, entertainment and culture. Their main goal is for tourists the University and public partners have established to be so happy with what they have experienced, seen or a national and international position as a region of eaten in Southern Norway that they return again and again. expertise in Southern Norway. World leading technologycompanies A CREATIVE CITY WITH AMBITIONS | 9 Strong welfare The Kristiansand region offers a broad range of activities Kristiansand International School offers international for children and young people. education for students from ages 6 to 16. to Year 10 step. The school prioritises students from other countries whose In Kristiansand, it is a priority to have high standards of parents are working in Norway for a limited period of time. schools, and the city has invested large amounts of money Students in upper secondary school may take the Inter- in renovating and building new schools for many years. national Baccalaureate Diploma programme at Many new nurseries have been built, to offer a place to all Kristiansand Katedralskole Gimle. children between the ages of one and five. A lot of work is also being done to create inviting outdoor areas at schools Kristiansand kulturskole (Kristiansand Culture School) has and nurseries that will inspire the children to be active. over 1,900 children and young people enrolled who attend weekly lessons in music, theatre and visual arts. The muni- Nurseries and schools have an academic and research- cipality offers holiday activities and clubs in the city centre based partnership to help maximise the students’ academic and suburban areas, and there are a good number of sports benefit and to include all children and young people in the halls and sports arenas available. main programme. The main areas of focus are well-being, belonging and a zero tolerance of bullying. The schools are focused on entrepreneurship, and partner with businesses for various events. Through this partnership, Research-based the students have the opportunity to participate in a “work educational deveopment week” with a company. This project is seen as an important way to stimulate creativity and a sense of accomplishment. 10 | A CREATIVE CITY WITH AMBITIONS Photo: Anders Martinsen fotografer A CREATIVE CITY WITH AMBITIONS | 11 Photo: Hufton Crowe/Kilden 12 | A CREATIVE CITY WITH AMBITIONS Vital city of culture Kristiansand is a lively cultural city with great ambitions Kristiansand folkebibliotek (Kristiansand