Urban Programme II Aarhus, Denmark

Problem

In the URBAN Programme II in Aarhus, the local authorities seek to:

• develop skills and jobs;
• overhaul social and organisational resources;
• integrate culture and leisure.

Description

The objective of the URBAN programme for the urban area is especially to focus on sustainability in an economic and socio-cultural sense. As part of this, the objective is, through local partnerships, to strengthen the social, cultural and employment contacts - contacts between citizens and between undertakings and citizens in connection with the establishment of activities which foster knowledge, co-existence and community. Moreover, work should bedone towards a higher degree of solidarity with neighbouring areas. 

Approach

Consolidating local self-organisation, including through new forms of citizen involvement, is an important link in the creation of ‘good circles’ and it can be a lever for many of the programme’s other efforts. The activities help the population to create networks which can be activated in other connections, suchas in relation to the labour market, and groups must be able to be part of the solution of quite concrete tasks which underpin the programme’s intentions. Finally, organisations at grass roots level are the framework for own responsibility and an aid to self-help and they can manifest the cultural differences in the residential area in a positive way.

Results

Most of the targets are achieved or overachieved; the following indicators confirm the positive results:

• since 2003 the involvement of citizens increased more that 100%;
• adaptation of dozens of sparring partner groups;
• job growth through company development and partner agreement;
• diverse network groups;
• general IT information for all;
• social pedagogical efforts;
• crime prevention initiatives;
• establishment of community associations;
• cooperative projects by community association;
• ethnic youth participate actively in after school time activities;
• women and youth empowerment.

Beneficiaries

Inhabitants of the western part of Denmark, and eventually inhabitants of the municipality of Aarhus, Denmark

Resources

The economic resource is very important in any project, but in connection with initiation, formulation and implementation of the various subprojects, human and community resources had additional significance in order to bring diverse community groups to come together and engage themselves in improving not only their own restricted interest but the interest of the overall community and neighbourhood.

EU involvement

EU projects provided half of the project expenses; the Urban programme Aarhus is engaged in Urbact through the CitizatMove network.

Contact info

Urban Programme II, Aarhus, Denmark
Sonja Mikkelsen
(Executive Manager)
T. +45 89 487601