At IIAB, we rarely leave Folkemødet with one tidy story. Instead, we return with fragments - conversations, contradictions, and insights pulling in different directions. Not fixed answers, but initial patterns, starting points for discussion, stance, and action in the worlds we navigate as anthropological consultants.
This year, four birds went, saw, listened, and took notes. Upon review, the patterns reveal a focus on democratic participation and sustainability, green, social, and cultural, as well as civil readiness.
In 2024, many of the conversations we engaged in leaned toward the “answers in the system”: the structures and policies needed for driving change. This year, more attention turned to translation - from structure to culture, and from institutions to human relations. From shared intentions and ideals to real-world action in everyday complexity - we loved the shift!
Democratic sustainability – VELUX Fonden, Democracy X
One debate explored the opportunity for change between the stats showing that most Danes support action toward the green transition, and the multiplicity in the ways they see the transition playing out in their everyday lives. A key takeaway, inspiring us to engage with our skills in this space, was the statement:
“The green transition is a democratic challenge rather than a technological one.”
It spoke to the heart of our work: taking people seriously (not literally) and recognising them as experts in their lived lives. We are more than ready to offer our skills and contribution to explore this space!
Civil readiness – TrygFonden, Danish Red Cross
Crisis alertness was a prominent theme, reflected not just in talks but in the jets above and warships offshore.
Our Co-CEO, Louise, joined a panel debate on this topic, sharing takeaways from our Parathedens DNA study, conducted in collaboration with TrygFonden. Readiness is often framed as a solo effort in a basement; this talk offered a different view:
What kind of society do we want to strengthen through readiness?
We discussed how Danes already show everyday willingness to support one another, and how that spirit can be cultivated. We need a more mature language for how we share responsibility and build trust in each other, as well as in our own individual capabilities.
Cultural prepping
On the international stage, we listened to a talk about how ‘readiness’ and resilience can be built and strengthened across borders through cultural understanding. In times of crisis, assumptions become blind spots.
As Claus Mathiesen (Forsvarsakademiet) put it:
“Danes don’t know themselves, and they think everyone else is just like them.”
Cultural readiness requires understanding others and ourselves. Cultural context and perceptions of ourselves and the world around us matter.
Diversity in education and academia
“If we challenge the diversity of research, we challenge its quality.”
From academia to sports, we heard how leaky pipelines lead to missed opportunities. In STEM, many women complete master’s degrees, but far fewer pursue research careers.
The debate highlighted some of the key themes preoccupying us in our current work with the Living Lab initiative- a collaboration with 13 university environments, VILLUM FONDEN, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation - developing targeted, context-specific actions to strengthen diversity in STEM research, for the sake of research excellence.
A space for girls!
“It’s not that girls don’t care about performing. It’s that they already are overperforming—on the boys’ home turf.”
The cultural codes of sport are strong and shaped by the physical spaces where sport plays out. When those spaces do not reflect everyone’s needs, many are excluded by default.
The Space for Girls campaign by the Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities works to change this—rethinking physical design, organisation, and perception. Across Denmark, girls are engaged in the co-creation of solutions, shaping new facilities that reflect their needs and realities.
Lotte Kofoed (Frederiksberg Municipality) emphasised the importance of language and framing in this process, highlighting:
“Access for all equals access for boys. Access for girls equals access for all.”
Designing for girls does not exclude others. It opens up the playing field altogether.
A few themes stood out:
→ Values matter. Know them. Explore them. Hold on to them.
→ We depend on each other - individuals and communities in interaction.
→ We need physical and digital spaces that allow for participation, belonging, and dialogue.
We’re carrying these reflections with us into the months ahead. Were you at Folkemødet? What stuck with you?
