Co-creation, power structures and alliances—developing open facilities for self-organized activities

This article examines the development of open facilities for self-organized activities, with particular emphasis on youth inclusion, physical activity, and social participation. The point of departure is that funding and governance systems in Norway largely favor traditional, organized sport, creating structural and symbolic barriers to flexible spaces tailored to self-organized activity. Drawing on ten case studies, the analysis combines three theoretical perspectives: literature on co-creation processes, a three-level power framework (decision-making, agenda-setting, and symbolic power), and a horizontal approach that highlights niches, alliances, and transition processes. The findings show that co-creation often remains at the level of consultation, with professional actors and established stakeholders retaining control over problem definitions and the selection of solutions. Further, the symbolic structures within the sports field contribute to the reproduction and maintenance of the existing local political order regarding facility provision. At the same time, several enabling conditions are identified: strategic alliance-building across sectors, the reframing of facility objectives in terms of broader societal goals (such as crime prevention and social inclusion), the use of successful examples as political resources, and the role of individual champions within and outside municipalities. The article concludes that more inclusive facility provision requires both reformed funding schemes and participatory, user-oriented planning processes.