Lars Petter Kjær
CONTRIBUTOR CITIZEN 2026 | Lars Petter Kjær leads communication, digitalisation and the political secretariat at Sandefjord Municipality. His role sits at the crossroads of how the municipality talks to its residents and how it organises itself to do that better over time.
Citizen 2026 | See full event info
In Sandefjord, that work has found a practical home, on two fronts. The municipality has built one of the most-used citizen apps in Norway, reaching 40% of its population within the first year. And alongside that, Sandefjord has been exploring how digital tools can move faster: from idea to tested solution without large investments or lengthy processes. Projects like Aktiv på dagtid and Frivillig match — connecting residents to activities and volunteer organisations — show what happens when a municipality combines community ambition with a more agile way of working.
Building community — and finding faster ways to do it
Lars Petter's perspective at Citizen 2026 sits at the intersection of communication, community building and practical innovation. What does it take to create a direct relationship with residents that goes beyond service delivery? And how do you build and test the digital tools that make that possible — quickly, with real users, and without going on a long detour first?
