Social initiatives create new communities and increase safety in the local environment

Since mid-2023, we have been actively involved in social initiatives in Greve Municipality through partnerships with Hundige Boldklub, the Greve Nord Project, and the youth and leisure club Klub Godset. The positive results of these efforts are the reason why our collaboration will continue into 2025.

The partnership arose because Balder, with Strandby Høje and Strandby Huse, has become a permanent and visible part of the area. According to our Social Engagement Manager, Stephanie Ayotte, this comes with a responsibility:

"Balder has big ambitions to be more than just a property developer and landlord, and we strongly believe we have a responsibility to contribute to the communities where we are present. This benefits our own residents as well as the broader local environment. Balder’s investment in the community is about creating value and lasting, positive changes through initiatives that bridge generations and promote both security and education."

Pocket money jobs promote responsibility and self-confidence

The Greve Nord Project is a social housing initiative covering the areas of Askerød, Gersagerparken, Gudekvarterene, and Klyngen, while Klub Godset welcomes children and young people from all schools in the municipality.

A key focus of the partnership is the pocket money job initiative, which provides young residents of Greve, aged 13 to 15, with their first job experience in a safe environment—whether in Klub Godset or the mentioned residential areas.

The youth club plays a central role in this effort and clearly demonstrates how these job initiatives boost young people’s confidence and equip them with skills for the future.

Fourteen-year-old Ayo is one of the pocket money job workers at Klub Godset. She has been working in the café since she was 13:

"At first, I was very shy, but now I know my tasks, and I’m confident in taking initiative. It’s nice to earn my own money, but the best part is when the children at the club come and say hi, want to talk to me, or ask for my help."

For 13-year-old Mikail, who works in Café Ask in Askerød, the job has not only given him responsibility but also created new relationships:

"I have met so many new people—both colleagues and residents. Now, I greet the older residents to whom I deliver food when I see them in the area. I never used to do that before."

A football club with benefits

Balder’s sponsorship of Hundige Boldklub has enabled the club to hire an administrative employee and a café worker. This has not only eased the workload for the club’s volunteers but also created opportunities for new initiatives benefiting the many children and young people at the club.

Walid Ali, who has been hired as an administrative employee, has noticed that the clubhouse is not being used to its full potential—something he is determined to change. His vision for a redesigned clubhouse is already in place:

"I dream of turning it into a gathering place for the club’s children and youth—and maybe even opening it up to young people from outside the club. It should be a place where you don’t just come to play football but can also do homework, read books, or just spend time together in a safe environment. If we can create a space where it’s normal for kids to sit down with a book and enjoy themselves while waiting for training, then we’ve achieved something truly valuable," explains Walid Ali.

Jan Holst Andersen, the club’s long-time chairman, sees great value in the collaboration with Balder:

"With support for Walid’s administrative work and our café employee, we have been able to relieve our volunteers, allowing them to focus on coaching the players. This also means we have more resources to develop the club and implement initiatives that strengthen the community."

Hundige Boldklub’s newly renovated clubhouse is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Visions aligned with the government’s child and youth policy

In February, the government’s Trivselskommission released 35 recommendations aimed at improving the well-being, empowerment, and resilience of children and young people. One of these recommendations emphasizes the importance of increasing opportunities for young people to obtain a part-time job. The report highlights that jobs for young people aged 13 and above help develop their sense of responsibility, self-confidence, and financial independence—an initiative that fosters a positive future and strengthens community ties.

This is encouraging news, says Josephine Jensen, Deputy Manager of the Greve Nord Project. Together with her colleagues, she is working to create even more pocket money jobs, as there is a high demand among young people:

"We see a great demand from young people who want to work, and that is very promising," says Josephine Jensen. She elaborates:

"When we can offer children and young people like Ayo and Mikail a pocket money job, we see positive effects that extend into their families, friendships, and the local community. They grow, they learn, and new social bonds are formed—bonds that help eliminate the sense of insecurity that can sometimes exist in these areas."

At Hundige Boldklub, the hope is that the clubhouse renovation will create a community hub that extends beyond football:

"We hope to offer even more activities for the area’s children and young people—not just those who play football but also those who are looking for a place to be in their free time," says Walid Ali.

Stephanie Ayotte looks forward to following the progress and applying the insights gained from these experiences in Balder’s ongoing work:

"Our commitment to Greve is long-term, and we are incredibly grateful for the local collaborations and networks we are part of. It is a pleasure to work with various local stakeholders toward a shared goal: developing and improving the local community so that Greve continues to be a desirable place to live and thrive."