Level Up Together: A Vision for Esports in Norway’s Digital Society, developed through the Norwegian Esports Summit 2025 and facilitated by the University of Agder, calls for a national framework to ensure esports supports education, health, innovation, and community engagement.
The paper identifies four key areas where esports is making an impact: education and lifelong learning, health and well-being, innovation and global-local development, and grassroots community sport. It urges collaboration between policymakers, educators, businesses, and communities to strengthen Norway’s position as a leader in digital innovation and inclusion.
“Esports is already delivering measurable value to Norwegian society,” said co-author Rune Andersen, Associate Professor at the University of Agder. “Now we must move from fragmented efforts to a shared vision that makes esports a cornerstone of Norway’s inclusive digital society.”
Co-author André Baumann, CEO of Bredde-e-sport Alliansen, highlighted the role of local clubs: “Grassroots esports is about creating safe and empowering spaces where young people feel they belong. In local communities, esports helps develop teamwork, responsibility, and confidence.”
The project was facilitated by Professor Dr. Tobias Scholz of the University of Agder, who coordinated the cross-sector discussions that shaped the paper. Scholz has been active in esports research and policy development across Europe.
Stakeholders from across the coutry’s esports ecosystem – including representatives from Heroic – contributed to the discussions at the Norwegian Esports Summit in May that formed the basis of the vision. A preliminary draft was later shared with Karianne Tung, Norway’s Minister of Digitalisation, before being developed into the final paper now released to the public.
The full paper can be accessed in this link.
