The Norwegian tradition of the ”Dugnad”

This project focus the tradition of the dugnad, which represents a way of solving local, common task by means of collective efforts from the community. The tradition can trace its roots back to rural communities of the 14th and 15th century, and was adapted by voluntary associations, as they emerged during the years after 1850. Today the “dugnad” mainly represent a vehicle for collection funds for voluntary associations’ activities.
Civil society face a transition from industrial to post-industrial (or postmodern) society, followed by a differentiation of relations between civil groups and members/individuals. Changes within the “dugnad” tradition is here seen as an indicator of civil modernisation. Case studies are applied to illuminate how processes of modernisation affects relations between civil collectives and their members, as they develop within the “dugnad” tradition.