Base de Datos de Proyectos de PDR

This project simply started with a group of elderly people in a small rural village who had no place to socialise and play cards. It then evolved into setting up a vibrant meeting point, with training facilities, fitness centre and 2 small shops.

Local government was reformed in Denmark in 2007, and municipalities are now much larger than earlier (approx. 40.000-75.000 inhabitants). Many towns and villages that existed, in part because they were the seat of local government and also had other public and private sector services, are now threatened. Basic socio-economic services, such as schools and retirement homes, are being closed down and it is necessary to support new forms of community.

A group of retirees wanted to create a meeting point at local village level where all age groups, particularly the elderly, can meet and participate in social activities, life-long learning and some modest economic activities. Achievement of these aims would also help contribute to the overall social and economic development and sustainability of the rural village of Idestrup.

A large former shop in Idestrup village was completely refurbished through this meeting point plan, making use of a sizable pool of volunteer labour. Out of this work came the establishment of a café, a PC-club where basic ICT-skills are taught (including text-messages etc), a work-out and fitness room, a second-hand shop, assembly halls, a kitchen and toilet facilities.

A totally refurbished building and a new structure have helped to modernise this village and make it more socially connected. Two businesses have been assisted to take part in collaborative entrepreneurial activity, and 20 training places are now provided where (mostly) teenagers teach the elderly about using IT equipment. Now, there are 200 more users of these services than previously achieved - and most importantly greater social cohesion and interaction among and between age.

Extensive outside help was needed by the group during the application process to manage and address all the application compliance requirements. It was crucial that the local LAG facilitator had sufficient time to come to the location of the project and discuss it thoroughly with the applicants.

Idestrup Volunteer Centre, South Jutland Denmark

Sjælland

Denmark

55 816

13 954

33 359

8 503

https://picasaweb.google.com/Idestrupfrivilligcentre/Idestrupfrivilligcentre#

Carina Woollhead / Anna Mortensen

cw@guldborgsund.dk

+45 5417 0052

English, Danish