What does Akershus County do?

The county handles responsibilities that are too large for individual municipalities to manage alone, such as upper secondary education, transport and dental care, or matters that require a broader regional perspective to be effectively solved.

Akershus County has around 5,000 employees, of which about 4,000 work in the county’s upper secondary schools.

Upper Secondary Education

Akershus offers a broad and high-quality selection of upper secondary schools. We have 35 upper secondary schools, two county-owned folk high schools, and one higher vocational college.

Transport

Residents of Akershus should have access to good transportation services. The county is responsible for planning, building, operating, and maintaining county roads. In Akershus, we are responsible for approximately 2,425 kilometers of car and pedestrian/cycle roads. 

Dental Services

Akershus County is responsible for the public dental service in the county. We operate 25 dental clinics, conduct health-promoting and preventive dental care, and provide free dental services to prioritized groups. 

Business and Industry

Akershus is home to some of Norway’s largest and most important companies. The business community in Akershus is diverse and innovative.

The county manages various grant schemes and our goal is to develop a vibrant and sustainable business sector.

Grants for Volunteer Organizations and Sports

Volunteer organizations help maintain and develop vibrant local communities in both rural and urban areas, contributing to a diverse society.

Akershus County manages several grant schemes to sustain and encourage volunteer work. Our residents should have access to a wide range of local opportunities in sports, outdoor life, arts, and culture.

The county also allocates funds to projects and facilities related to sports, outdoor activities, and physical activity. 

Public Health

Public health initiatives aim to promote good health and quality of life for all residents of Akershus. The county is a driving force in this work, in collaboration with the municipalities.

Regional Development

Akershus County plays a central role in regional development. Our work aims to make an impact locally, nationally, and globally. We base all our efforts on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, integrating environmental, economic, and social dimensions.

We work holistically and across all societal levels. Together with residents, we are developing vibrant and sustainable towns and villages. Why? Because Akershus should be a great place to live.

Climate and Environment

The county is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We plan for the future with comprehensive measures and tools aimed at reducing emissions in Akershus. We contribute to research on the environment, climate, and renewable energy. Together with municipalities, businesses, and organizations, we work to achieve shared climate goals.

The county also coordinates planning efforts to protect and improve water environments in freshwater and coastal areas. As a planning authority, we also play an important role in wildlife management, particularly in safeguarding wildlife habitats.

Culture

We aim to support both professional and voluntary cultural life throughout Akershus. The county ensures a wide range of offerings in libraries, film, music, performing arts, and visual arts. 

Cultural Heritage

All traces of human life and activity in our surroundings are cultural heritage and cultural environments, whether from the distant or recent past.

As the regional authority for cultural heritage, the county is responsible for safeguarding national and regional heritage interests in planning and construction cases and for following up on issues related to protected heritage sites. We also offer advice and guidance to municipalities and owners of heritage-protected buildings and sites.