New reuse workshop for outdoor gear in Bergen receives NOK 3 million from Kavli Trust

Norwegians are among the highest consumers of new outdoor equipment in Europe. To change this, Bergen og Hordaland Turlag (Bergen and Hordaland Hiking Association, BHT) is launching a project to extend the life of clothing and outdoor gear while giving young people practical work experience.

Kavli Trust is supporting the project with NOK 3 million from 2026 to 2028. The funding will help establish and launch the workshop in central Bergen.

A hub for reuse and green skills

The sewing workshop will be a social and inspiring learning space for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors. Through courses in self-repair, the creation of a skilled volunteer sewing team, and various environmentally friendly activities and events, the association aims to promote reuse and strengthen green skills in the region.

For visitors, this means that a worn pair of hiking trousers can be given a new life as shorts, an old tent fabric can be transformed into durable seat mats, and more people will have the chance to repair their own gear. Donations of used clothing and outdoor equipment are also welcome and will be used to repair or repurpose other items.

Reducing consumption and emissions

Merete Yndestad, CEO of BHT, notes that Norway still has a way to go to achieve sustainable consumption and production in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“Norway is a good place to live, but per-person consumption is high, creating a large carbon footprint and problems with waste and emissions from, among other things, textile production,” she explains.

“When clothes and equipment can be repaired or redesigned, consumption decreases. This benefits the climate, nature, and people’s wallets,” adds Yndestad.

Meaningful work experience

Similar workshops already exist in Stavanger, Trondheim, and Hamar, run by local branches of the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT). With the launch of the workshop in Bergen, residents of the surrounding region will also have the opportunity to give their outdoor gear a longer life.

In partnership with NAV (Norway’s public welfare and employment service) and vocational schools, the workshop will offer work training for young people. Participants can learn practical skills, gain valuable experience, and enjoy a sense of achievement in an inclusive environment.

“A concrete solution to a major challenge”

Ingrid Paasche, CEO of Kavli Trust, emphasises that the initiative aligns closely with their core mission:

"It tackles a significant and growing environmental challenge—textile consumption—while providing measurable contributions to emission reductions through extended lifespan of clothes and equipment.”

“The project also promotes skills development and social value creation through youth work experience and volunteer engagement. Altogether, it represents an innovative way to make outdoor life more sustainable, and Kavli Trust is proud to support it.”

Potential as a national model

Paasche highlights that the project builds on an established community of volunteers and association members.

“This initially makes it easier to set up the project and could also allow it to be rolled out to other branches of the Norwegian Trekking Association. Over time, it could help foster a national culture of repair and reuse in outdoor life,” she says.

Yndestad adds that Kavli Trust’s funding has been crucial:

“It gave us the financial backbone to commit fully and reassured us that others see the project’s potential,” she says.

Facts about ReTuren repair workshop

• The workshop is a reuse and repair facility for outdoor clothing and equipment in central Bergen, run by Bergen og Hordaland Turlag (Bergen and Hordaland Hiking Association, BHT).
• BHT has 30,000 members, is part of the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT), and promotes inclusive, eco-friendly, and active outdoor life.
• The project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of textiles and outdoor equipment, an area where Norway ranks high in consumption.
• The workshop will offer repairs, redesigns, sewing courses, and other activities to strengthen skills in reuse. Similar initiatives exist in Stavanger, Trondheim, and Hamar.
• The goal is to reduce consumption, waste, and emissions by extending the lifespan of textiles and gear, while teaching people to repair their own equipment.
• The workshop will provide young people with valuable work experience through partnerships with NAV (Norway’s public welfare and employment service) and vocational schools.
• Kavli Trust is funding the project with NOK 3 million from 2026–2028 to establish the workshop and develop a model that can be scaled to other hiking associations.