Our Dropshop in Tromsø (known also as Freeshop) has been open since late summer 2022. After the war in Ukraine forced millions of people to flee their country, many found refugee in this city in north of Norway. But also people displaced from conflicts elsewhere in the world resettle in the city.
The Dropshop started as an initiative by a local enthusiast who had volunteered with Dråpen i Havet at our distribution center in Krakow, Poland, in the spring of 2022. When she returned home to Tromsø, she realized that there was also a great need in her hometown for a freeshop for people who had recently resettled in the city.
During the first two years, the Dropshop was run entirely by volunteers, both from the local community and by newly resettled residents in the city. In this way, the running of the Dropshop even became a space for integration and language practice. Several of the volunteers had previously worked as field workers with Dråpen i Havet in Greece and Poland. In August 2024, we were finally able to hire a project coordinator, thanks to financial project support from Tromsø Municipality.
What we do in Tromsø
The Dropshop Tromsø is open every Thursday afternoon, and refugees who have been settled in the city within the past 12 months are given priority. In the shop, they can choose furniture, clothing, appliances, toys, kitchenware, and sports equipment. Everything for free!
Everything in the shop is donated by the people in Tromsø. Our volunteer drivers may assist and deliver larger items, such as furniture directly to their residences. On other weekdays, we open Dropshop by appointment for urgent needs or for item deliveries. Updated information about opening hours and needs can be found on this Facebook page.
