Office for Community (Hverland)
| Skrifstofa fyrir Ættbólga (Hverlandic) | |
 | |
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | May 2016 |
| Preceding agencies |
|
| Jurisdiction | Hverland |
| Employees | 103 |
| Website | community.gov.hv |
The Office for Community (Hverlandic: Kontoret for Ættfællesskaber) is the government department responsible for the welfare and cohesion of Hverlandic communities. Established in May 2016, as part of the Hverlandic Accord, it replaced various entities including the National Development Ministry, the Nature and Environment Authority, the Cultural Heritage and Recreation Authority, and the Employment and Learning Bureau, consolidating their respective functions.
History
The Hverland Accords of 2016 were a significant milestone in the administrative structure of the Hverland government. The Accords were orchestrated by then Prime Minister Vilhjálmur Pétursson, and resulted in a series of administrative restructures aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of public services.
The Accords led to the consolidation of several key government entities under the newly formed Office for Community. These entities included the National Development Ministry, the Nature and Environment Authority, the Cultural Heritage and Recreation Authority, and the Employment and Learning Bureau.
This consolidation brought the oversight of national development, environmental conservation, cultural heritage, recreation, employment, and learning under one central administrative body. This integration aimed at a more holistic approach to policy-making and implementation, allowing the government to better address the interrelated issues that these entities were handling separately before.
The first Chairperson for Communitiy, Eiríkur Ólafsson, took on a wide range of policy areas, striving to integrate the diverse functions inherited from the merged entities. The Office for Community has since worked to coordinate policies across different areas, promoting an inclusive society where sustainable development, cultural preservation, recreation, employment, and lifelong learning are seen as interconnected components of a vibrant community.
Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the Office for Community are:
- housing provisions (through the Hverland Dwelling Authority)
- social support and well-being
- employment services
- cultural activities, sports, and recreational pursuits
- historical and cultural affairs
Additionally, the department oversees the operations of the following public institutions:
- Hverland Dwelling Authority
- Charity Commission for Hverland
- Advisory Board for Disability Living Allowance in Hverland