Originated in the Danish scout movement in 2014, and opened in the summer of 2019, the aim of ‘The Youth Island’ is to provide a unique platform for young people to develop and host youth activities: from outdoor concerts and cultural festivals to adventure races and innovation camps. Once an old military sea fort, known as Middelgrundfortet, the island is renovated with new and updated facilities. The idea was to create an island where young people from all kinds of communities and youth cultures could come together to create and share ideas and activities. Since its foundation, the Danish scouts have been involved in the process of creating an island with activities for young people. Nordea-fonden has supported the project with EUR 21.4 million.
History of the island, Middelgrundsfortet
Middelgrundsfortet is a naval fortress raised 1890-1894 as an artificial island just outside Copenhagen for the defence of the city. It could accommodate up to 800 soldiers. During the Cold War, the fortress was armed with anti-aircraft missiles. After the eighties, its military role declined, and in 2002 it was sold to private investors and used for various events. The fortress is subject to strictly legal protection as cultural heritage. In 2015, the fortress was acquired by the Nordea-fonden in co-operation with the A.P. Møller Foundation and subsequently transferred to the newly established foundation, Middelgrundsfonden, which is closely associated with the main Danish scouting organisations.
Read more on Nordeafonden.dk
