As a potential recession looms over the region, the municipality is finding new ways to help local secure funding for local projects.
By Oskar Rask Hjorth
The municipality of Aarhus was the first of its kind in the country to own a crowdfunding platform when it launched August 23rd, and according to an accompanying press statement, the new platform will make it a breeze for citizens to realize and support local projects.
The municipality will guarantee reasonable and safe conditions, by ensuring transparency and a money back-guarantee for supporters, in case a project is not fully funded.
“I am very satisfied with the launch of our new website, so that committed citizens have a tool and an opportunity to realize the great and exciting projects that they are working on,” the mayor of Aarhus, Jacob Bundsgaard, said in a press release.
The municipality will soon host workshops for those who have an interest in crowdfunding a project on the newly launched platform. Attendants will be taught the outline of crowdfunding, what to be aware of, and tips and tricks as an upcoming project owner.
Projects are already being funded
One of the first to use the new crowdfunding platform is Animal Protection Denmark, whose local shelter wish to improve the conditions of their many rabbits.
“We’re handed a lot of rabbits, and we’re struggling to house all of them,” says Stine Skov-Jensen. She works with fundraising for the animal protection agency.
For the local animal shelter, it’s not just a question of being able to house the many new rabbits arriving to the shelter, but also a question of happiness.
“At the same time, we can tell that some rabbits just thrive more outside, and we want to do the best for our rabbits. Some rabbits enjoy snuggling inside, in their hay, while others have a greater desire to realize themselves outdoors.”
The new crowdfunding platform is quickly helping this local organisation realize the wellbeing of their rodents, with already more than 25 percent of their funding secured by individual donors.
About Crowdfunding
The crowdfunding platform will be available to everyone in the municipality, including private citizens, businesses, organisations, and institutions.
Users can pledge donations of custom amounts, next to the fixed amounts that some projects offer in return for different donator rewards, such as access to special events and limited-edition items.
This type of public and geographically based crowdfunding is known from multiple cities around the world, including Hamburg and London.
You can read more, start your own project, or donate, at crowdfundingaarhus.dk.
