Dugnadsånd, Norwegian for “community spirit,” exemplifies a beautiful intimacy born of the spirit of action by the many. Grounded in a deep spirit of practical solidarity, dugnadsånd inspires neighbors to assist one another in meaningful, simple, yet transformative ways. In Norway, this is a concept that has long been a beloved tradition. Specifically, it builds deep community ties through something as simple as picking up litter or creating play spaces. Dugnadsånd favors collective imagination, effort and risk. This focus makes it different from just outsourcing state responsibilities to nonprofits, creating a powerful new model of civic engagement.
The beauty of dugnadsånd is in its power to unite communities in small, simple ways instead of large, sweeping acts. This spirit nurtures a culture of neighbors looking out for each other and jumping to their aid in emergencies. It’s not just about expecting communities to volunteer their way to quality, affordable essential services. As Meik Wiking notes, "Helping each other out through reciprocation made the whole community stronger, more resilient and, I would argue, happier."
Dugnadsånd is often compared to barn-raising in 18th- and 19th-century North America. In order to get there over time, communities came together to build these barns for vulnerable families. While barn-raising makes for a more dramatic gesture, the spirit behind it is the same as dugnadsånd—working together, helping one another. Yet dugnadsånd is more low-key by nature, aiming to strengthen communal ties through routine, collective effort.
Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that staying active in retirement usually a key component of the dugnadsånd lifestye leads to better health and life satisfaction. A 2023 review of 28 studies found "consistent evidence to support effects on general health and wellbeing and quality of life." Engaging with their community through volunteering an activity linked to lower rates of mortality is now more important than ever to support the path to healing.
As a practice of Dugnadsånd, Dugnadsånd is an exercise in the muscles of collective dreaming, collective struggle, and collective fragility. By participating in these strong community-driven activities, each of us has the opportunity to connect to an amazing support network. This network makes everyone in the community more resilient and happier. The New York Times describes this phenomenon as "a distinctive and delicate form of intimacy," capturing the unique bond formed through shared experiences.