DKK 175 mill. from Realdania for initiatives in the wake of Covid-19

The funding from Realdania will also contribute to securing as much focus as possible on sustainability in connection with the substantial societal investments expected as a consequence of Covid-19. The objective is to provide relevant inspiration, tools and specific assistance to municipalities and others commencing construction and renovation projects, so that they can promote sustainability, climate efforts and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in what will probably be rather tight investment budgets. Realdania is supporting this work with a pool of DKK 115 mill. 

“Building and construction is definitely part of the solution for the economy, and the sector also has a key role in relation to achieving the Danish climate targets. So, there is an open window that we want to help exploit by combining the two ambitions. This will benefit building issues with regarding to employment, the economy and the green transition,” said Jesper Nygård, CEO of Realdania.
The other part of the initiative by Realdania will help projects that have previously received philanthropic grants from Realdania, and are now feeling serious financial consequences from the Covid-19 crisis. A funding pool on the back of the government aid packages can now help a number of projects facing challenges from cancellations and delays, to difficulties with financing. Some projects are feeling the effects already, and others will probably follow later. The support targets ongoing projects, and those for which Realdania and the project still have a mutual commitment.

These projects can apply for support in two rounds - one in May 2020 and one after the summer holidays. Support could be to finance additional costs or, in exceptional cases, to help cover operating losses. Realdania has earmarked DKK 50 million this initiative. Furthermore, an additional DKK 10 mill. will be available after the summer holidays, when it will be possible to welcome visitors and audiences again, and cultural and experience institutions that have previously received support from the association will be able to apply for support for one or several events. 
“After very thorough work, we’ve identified the most urgent needs and identified where we can really make a difference. As soon as in early May, we launched the first pool for exposed projects, and before the summer holidays, we will publish more details about the other initiatives and pools, including criteria for applying for them,” says Jesper Nygård, and adds:

"A philanthropic player like us has an obligation to help keep Denmark going in a serious situation like that facing society at the moment. This Covid-19 initiative has priority for a great deal of our grants in 2020. As yet, we don’t know where our total grants will land in 2020, but we expect to continue to be able to contribute around DKK 500-600 mill.,” says Jesper Nygård.

Build with focus on sustainability

The special sustainability initiative aims at helping society maintain focus on the most serious climate problems, to which the built environment is an important part of the solution, despite the severe financial challenges. Support will include help for advice and quality improvements, stimulation to implement the voluntary sustainability class, and a cross-cutting knowledge pathway for the construction sector to help ensure that stakeholders can make valid decisions through rapid processes. There will also be a climate pool for projects in which Realdania is already involved. 
"The really big investments in building and construction to get the wheels turning again will come from others than us. But we can build on these investments and help ensure that knowledge, experience, tools and ideas are developed and shared across in the construction sector. We’ve been inspired by the UN approach  ‘Building Back Better’, by which, in the wake of a natural disaster or pandemic, for example, there is an ambition to develop and restore society in a new, more holistic and more sustainable way,” says Jesper Nygård, and adds:

“Realdania works to improve the quality of life, and with a very broad and comprehensive concept of sustainability in which economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability are mutually dependent. The current situation is a challenge for the economy, but it is crucial to continue to focus on the urgent climate challenges, and the two things have to go hand in hand, so that overall we get the most value and sustainability for investments spread throughout society,” says Jesper Nygård.

Facts about Realdania’s Covid-19 initiative

United on sustainability

Support for sustainability in building and construction in connection with future investments in new building and renovation in the wake of the corona crisis. Support will include help for advice and quality improvements, stimulation to implement the voluntary sustainability class and a cross-cutting knowledge pathway for the construction sector to help ensure that stakeholders can make valid decisions through rapid processes. There will also be a climate pool for projects in which Realdania is already involved. DKK 115 mill. has been earmarked for this initiative, which will be launched in close dialogue with relevant stakeholders.

Forge ahead

Support for projects in progress that have been hit by cancellations, delays and extra costs. There may also be completed projects in which Realdania and the project still have commitments. It will be possible to apply for support in the two rounds, the first round of applications is in May 2020, and the criteria for support have also been published. Only projects that have previously received support from Realdania can apply. There is also a requirement that applicants have used the government aid packages as far as possible and that, despite this, they can still document financial challenges stemming from the corona crisis. DKK 50 mill. has been earmarked for this initiative.

Ask them in

Support for events and activities at cultural and experience institutions, when these can again be held. There is a requirement that the institution has previously received funding from Realdania. The call for applications is awaiting recommendations from the health authorities and will probably be launched after the summer. DKK 10 million has been earmarked for this initiative.

If you are a potential applicant, read more about when there will be more information about the individual elements in the initiative.

Initiative to alleviate the effects of the Covid-19 crisis