22 projects bring everyday life outdoors
Daylight and fresh air are essential for both physical and mental health, playing a significant role in our well-being. However, for many children and adults in Denmark, large parts of daily life are spent indoors. With the "Daylight and Fresh Air Fund," the Villum Foundation aims to move traditional indoor activities outdoors to give more people the opportunity to spend time and have positive experiences under the open sky.
22 projects have recently received funding to bring more daylight and fresh air into the daily lives of both children and adults. In total, approximately 30 million DKK has been granted to small and larger projects.
Behind the projects are local enthusiasts and associations, such as in Broby, where the local community association has received support to establish a disc golf course open for free use by everyone, or the volunteer group in Uldum, which will weekly take local nursing home residents, who cannot get out on their own, on wheelchair rides around the town.
Larger projects driven by organizations and professional actors have also received support. For example, Nationalpark Mols Bjerge, in collaboration with Syddjurs Municipality and the Danish Hunters' Association, will launch a pilot project that uses nature sensory therapy to strengthen men’s mental and physical well-being.
“The projects are diverse, but what they all have in common is that they invite many everyday activities, communities, and collaborations into daylight and fresh air, creating positive experiences,” says Signe Staubo Sørensen, Program Manager for Culture and Society.
In February 2025, Villum Foundation will reopen applications for the "Daylight and Fresh Air Fund." The announcement will be published on the Villum Foundation's website, as well as its Facebook and LinkedIn profiles.
Read more about the 22 projects here:
Covered Terrace for SFO at Danehofskolen, Nyborg
The project involves covering an outdoor terrace with a simple roof structure, allowing the institution's users to utilize the outdoor space in all weather conditions.
Cargo Bikes for Childminders
In Mårslet and Nørager, two childcare institutions have been given the opportunity to purchase electric bikes. These bikes aim to make it easier for children and caregivers to explore forests, visit the seaside, or discover the local community’s nature.
Transformer Tower at Østerskoven, Haderslev
This project will enable a local art association to create and offer local history "podcast walks." These will narrate the fascinating past of Østerskoven and the transformer tower, including stories from World War II.
Disc Golf Course
A local community association in Nr. Broby will establish and maintain a disc golf course, which will be free and accessible to everyone.
Mast Sail for FDF Agedrup
Through this project, a local scout association will extend outdoor activities by installing a large mast sail on their premises to provide shelter and shade.
Weekly Highlight
A group of volunteers in Uldum, in collaboration with a local organization, will offer weekly rides around town for local nursing home residents in wheelchairs. As the residents cannot go out on their own and the care home lacks the resources, this initiative is greatly appreciated.
NATURE-HOUSE – Creating a Nature and Sensory Garden
In Grindsted, a group of citizens under the Nature-House Association will engage the community in creating a local outdoor gathering space. This will take the form of a nature and sensory garden on a former gas station and parking area in the town center. The garden will feature regional flowers and plants, with QR codes for educational purposes and to spark dialogue. It will be designed to support insects, biodiversity, and use by groups of all ages.
Outdoor Mystery
Fox Media Documentaries will develop and distribute an analog outdoor game for upper-level primary school students, initially as a pilot project on Lolland-Falster. The project promotes unique outdoor play and learning with minimal screen time, and it is developed with sustainable production in mind.
Whole in the Woods – Nature Program for Men
National Park Mols Bjerge, in collaboration with Syddjurs Municipality and the Danish Hunters' Association, is developing a pilot project focused on men's mental and physical well-being through nature. Group activities and exercises in the outdoors aim to foster resilience, improve health, and support men in building positive habits in nature, both individually and collectively.
Into Fresh Air and Light
At Nr. Vesterskov in Vendsyssel, North Jutland, an institution offering STU (specialized youth education), day services, and housing for youth with special needs will transform its 2.35-hectare outdoor area. The space will be a hub for diverse outdoor activities, education in animal care, and community use, including local organizations, daycares, and schools. The project prioritizes biodiversity and natural materials.
Literary Sound Walks
The library in Sønderborg is combining nature, literature, and walking to develop a new concept: "Sound Walks." Local authors will write site-specific literature inspired by the landscape, with five to seven free routes planned across Sønderborg Municipality. These will be accessible to locals and tourists through an app.
Nature Meeting and Learning Space for Generations
The housing association Domea, Høje Taastrup Municipality, and architecture students are collaborating to create an outdoor gathering space in Gadehavekvarteret, Høje Taastrup. This includes shared idea development and design of outdoor areas, as well as a covered meeting spot in the form of a greenhouse, to foster community in green surroundings while supporting biodiversity.
Library Under the Open Sky
Funding has been granted to reimagine and redevelop the outdoor spaces at Dalum Library in Odense. The project aims to invite residents and library users to enjoy peace, reading, and reflection in the open air, including transforming the library's forecourt and backyard garden.
Nature-Inspired Science and Technology Education
In collaboration with the Ågabets Bevarelse Association near Arresø, Halsnæs Municipality will establish a nature-oriented educational base. The aim is to create opportunities for children and young people to experience and understand nature, with a focus on water—sea, fjord, and lake.
The Fisherman’s House on Thorø
Københavns Lærerforenings Kolonier (Copenhagen Teachers' Association Camps) will bring parts of school education outdoors. By renovating a small fisherman’s house on Thorø near Assens, they will create a platform for learning and nature exploration. School classes staying on the island for camp will have easy access to learning materials and equipment, fostering an inspiring environment for hands-on nature studies.
The Snake’s Rest – An Outdoor Learning Space
Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality, in collaboration with Norrøn Architects, will construct a small outdoor learning space on the Jutland heath. The sustainable structure will promote active participation, exploration, and community in nature. A complementary program of mobilization and events will support the facility’s use. Additionally, the municipality will fund a Culture and Nature Bus to transport daycare centers and schools to the site.
Girls Setting Play Free
Henning Larsen Architects, in collaboration with KOMPAN, Esbjerg Municipality, and local youth organizations, will develop a safe and inviting urban space for teenagers in Esbjerg’s city center. Teenage girls will be involved in designing the area, ensuring it meets their needs and fosters social interaction, play, and a sense of security in the city’s outdoor spaces.
More Outdoor Life for Future Green Citizens
Ellevangskolen in Risskov, in collaboration with AART Architects, will create a versatile outdoor area for the school and after-school program. The project aims to inspire children and young people to remain curious about nature and the world around them. The space will be designed with sustainable materials and considerations, fostering an early engagement with climate, sustainability, and green transitions.
Laboratory and Shared Facilities
Friskolen in Gjerrild, Djursland, in collaboration with Norrøn Architects, will integrate outdoor education with recreational and social activities. The project involves constructing a laboratory and associated learning facilities within an older sawmill building, located in the school’s learning garden and grove. The space will encourage exploration and engagement with nature.
ØK’s Green Courtyard
Funding has been granted to Øresundskollegiet on Amager, where the residents’ council has developed an idea for a new outdoor refuge. The courtyard will also be open to local visitors and passersby. The project will emphasize biodiversity and climate adaptation while reusing existing paving and plants wherever possible. New herbs, shrubs, and trees will create habitats and attract new species. Traffic flow between soft road users, playgrounds, and housing blocks will also be improved. This project builds on the successful 2021 initiative, "The Social Spine," which transformed the dormitory’s barren rooftop terrace into a green oasis and meeting space.
Tingstedet’s Community House & Garden
In Taastrupgaard, Høje-Taastrup, AKB Housing Association, in collaboration with architect Gitte Juul, VEGA Landskab, residents, and others, will establish a garden and communal outdoor space with an activity house. The project aims to create a lasting and vibrant outdoor area while bringing together various collaborations to integrate nature, activities, and social interaction. The design will prioritize recycling and sustainability.
