Kids democracy in residential areas in Greenland – a preliminary study and pilot test

KIDS DEMOCRACY IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN GREENLAND

- A preliminary study and pilot testing


ABOUT THE PROJECT

The overarching goal of Kids Democracy in Greenland is to contribute to increasing the well-being, co-determination and democratic skills of children in the Greenlandic residential areas via the establishment of Kids Democracies. In the pilot project, it is being investigated how to involve children and give them a say in Greenlandic residential areas. This will happen with the establishment of a Kids Democracy in a selected residential area (pilot area) and via recommendations for further development in other residential areas in the society of Greenland.

Approx. 25% of Greenland's population are children under the age of 18 and a larger proportion of these live a child's life full of challenges. Many children grow up in homes with socio-economic challenges, experience major social problems and a lack of wellfare in their daily lives. 27% of Greenlandic children were exposed to neglect in 2008 and 42% of all households had a parent with a substance abuse in 2010.

The pilot project will take place in a housing department in Greenland's second largest city, Sisimiut. The housing department consists of several large and some small residential areas. The pilot project includes 3 residential areas: Deichmannip Aqq., Aqqartarfik and Paamaap Kuua., which together contain 393 rental properties and approx. 1,200 residents, of which around 300 are children under the age of 15. The pilot project is potentially the first part of a larger project in the future under the name Kids Democracy in residential areas in Greenland", that will span across Greenland, depending on the results of the pilot.


RESULTS

· Start of Kids Democracy in the pilotdepartment.

· Knowledge, practical experience and learning about opportunities and challenges for Kids Democracy in Greenlandic residential areas. 

The inspirationcatalogue 'Kids Democracy in residential areas in Greenland' in Greenlandic and in Danish

- Nyhed fra børnedemokratiet i Sisimiut i avisen Sermitsiaq AG

 

 

 

 

FACTS
Task: Pilot testing of Kids Democracy in Greenlandic residential areas

Project owner: The greenlanding housing company INI A/S, owned by Grønlands Selvstyre
Financed by: Oak Foundation Denmark
Period: June 2019 until December 2021
Role: Idea developer and project manager