MILLION SUPPORT FOR THE HØJSKOLE
WITH SUPPORT OF 2 MILLION KRONER FROM THE NORDEA FOUNDATION, WE ARE NOW UPGRADING OUR UHR FOREST
In June, we received word from Nordea-fonden that they are providing DKK 2 million in support so that Ribe Youth Folk High School can now transform the school's forest garden into a vibrant, year-round local green community center, where people across generations meet about nature, practical creation and sustainable lifestyles.
The project contributes to good lives by connecting nature, participation and community in a concrete and lasting framework.
Folk High School collaborates with local institutions on activities in the UHR-Skoven and with the local carpentry company Kalle Balle Byg on the construction of the straw house.
The project is expected to run over a three-year period with project start at the end of 2026.
The practical objectives of the project are to:
- Make the UHR-Skoven functional and usable all year round and strengthen sustainability subjects at the college, so that even more students receive concrete and practical learning in sustainable construction, gardening with a focus on farm-to-table and creating events for and with school and kindergarten children as well as local citizens.
- Build a new sustainable year-round house with teaching and meeting facilities, kitchen and toilet facilities.
- Increase our degree of self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetables from 2 to 20% by establishing a kitchen forest garden with the cultivation of robust vegetables, berries and herbs in compost from green kitchen waste for our own regenerative cultivation.
- Create a local sustainability powerhouse with approximately 25 annual activities for partners and other external stakeholders.
- Give college students insight and experience in how to start sustainable projects.
The award is part of the Vekselvirke project, a joint effort by Nordea-fonden and the Danish Association of Folkehøjskolernes Forening. Here, colleges have been able to apply for support for the development of new subjects and events, as well as for facilities that support the green transition.
