As a result of increasing immigration Norway is becoming increasingly ethnically diverse. According to Putnam (2007) this trend may lead to an erosion of social solidarity and social capital. Findings from the United States show that ethnically diverse neighbourhoods are characterized by low trust, reduced cooperation and fewer face-to-face relationships.

Traditionally, voluntary associations have been an important arena for social integration by providing meeting places for interaction and participation, across social differences and identity, which help creating trust and social networks. The public discourse considers these organisations as important players for integration and inclusion of the immigrant population. Voluntary organisations can be key contributors to the creation of social networks based on mutual trust and reciprocity.

However, not all social networks contribute equally to social integration. Social networks can be exclusionary when they link individuals within homogeneous groups (bonding) or inclusive by linking individuals across social and identity-based differences (bridging).

The purpose of this project is to, through qualitative studies of selected non-governmental organizations, identify social and organizational processes that lead to the development of inclusive social networks across social and identity-based differences (bridging)