Senior citizens are key contributors to community life
When working life comes to an end, many older people still have a lot of ‘go’ and initiative. In recognition of one of the most important purposes of the Trust Deed for its founder, Villum Kann Rasmussen, VELUX FONDEN encourages and supports active senior citizens in taking initiatives for their own and other's benefit.
"Older people already have many roles in their local community, and find that they can do good for other people"
Not only out of self-interest
“We are particularly keen to fund activities in which senior citizens seek specifically to engage in initiatives that bring their resourcefulness into play and that empower them – for the benefit of the cohesion and sustainability of their local community,” says Head of Programme for the Active Senior Citizens grant area, Frank Ulmer Jørgensen.
Active senior citizens are an indispensable community resource throughout all of Denmark. Here it is a group of committed seniors from Biecentret Mariagerfjord. Photo: Simon Griis.
Small grants that can make all the difference
Grants for active senior citizens are wide-ranging and typically cover expenses associated with the activities, e.g. book publishing costs, purchase of spinning bikes, rowing boats and tools, etc.
The applicants may be individuals or smaller groups of senior citizens, who receive a grant for e.g. a new rowboat or a seniors' workshop for repairs of all kinds or for building an observation post for bird watching.
Apply for funding all year round. Find information here about our response time.
VELUX FONDEN's Secretariat continuously receives a large number of applications from active senior citizens. We have no deadlines for applications, so you can always submit an application.
Please note that we distinguish between applications below and over DKK 150,000, as they are evaluated individually.
Applications below DKK 150.000
These applications go through a fast evaluation process.
Response time: 1-2 months
Applications exceeding DKK 150.000
These applications for e.g. renovation projects or larger acquisitions go through an extended evaluation process.
Response time: 2-6 months.
VELUX FONDEN granted a total of DKK 19 million for active senior citizens in 2017
Before you apply - a checklist
When you decide to submit an application, we recommend that you have all required information available before you begin the process.
• Make a short description of the project and the activity
• Make a specified and elaborated budget
• Include the names and ages of the senior citizens, who make a particular active effort in the project as well as a description of their role in the project
• If you apply on behalf of an association, you must include the statutes and the most recent annual report
• Include information about the organisation that would potentially receive the grant payment
• Include information if the applicant has previously received a grant from VELUX FONDEN
• Finally, you must inform us if you have applied for funding elsewhere and the result of this application
Ready to apply?
Before submitting your application, we encourage you to read the instructions on this page. This will give you an overview of the requirements and the information we need to process your application.
Funding for a book publishing?
Have you written a book that is about to be published? Find information here about what to submit if you want to apply for funding for printing the book.
Four examples of community volunteerism arranged by active senior citizens
All year round, new activities are being launched locally, in which seniors play an active role and help others with different tasks. Read more here.
Dedicated senior volunteers digitise history and cultural heritage
Danish Food Bank and elderly volunteer drivers is a good cocktail
Integration of refugees in a Frederiksberg neighbourhood
Activity centre refurbished and officially opened at Tinglev
Moving on - in Fredecia
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