SPORT AND LOCAL CULTURE

Danish culture is deeply rooted in the popular movements of 19th-century Denmark. Consequently, Danish cultural policy comprises a broad notion of popular and local culture including sports, zoos, circuses, amateur music, amateur theatre, etc.

Voluntary sport constitutes the backbone of Danish sport and voluntary sports organisations receive the greater part of public subsidies at both local and national levels. Participation in voluntary sports organisations is considered to be an important element in the identity of individuals and the community to which they belong. Volunteer work is the result of citizens’ own initiative. Such organisations are independent and they contribute to the creation of understanding and respect between people.

A NEW FUND
Decentralisation is an important part of Danish cultural policy. Thus, an act from 1999 enables any region to receive its cultural grants for a period of four years with considerable freedom to shift funds between cultural purposes. In 2002, a special fund has been established within the Ministry of Culture for the purpose of supporting cultural institutions and activities outside Copenhagen.

ORGANISATIONS
Local sports clubs are organised in three different national organisations with different traditions, organisational structures and aims: The Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF) is an umbrella organisation for the country’s 56 specialised sporting associations; Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations (DGI) is the central body organising 24 county associations; the Danish Company Sports Federation (DFIF) is the central organisation for company-based sport in 80 city/town associations. Approximately 30% of the Danish population are members of one of the country’s 14,000 sports clubs. Approximately 50% of all Danes engage in some form of sport or exercise.

Elite sport also originates from voluntary sport. However, at a certain level, the semi-public institution Team Danmark takes over supporting and protecting top athletes.

The State supports the national sports organisations, Team Danmark, the National Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities, the independent anti-doping agency Anti-Doping Danmark, sports research and several other purposes within sports policy.

The Ministry of Culture supports a number of national organisations for amateurs in the fields of theatre, music, community houses, etc. The ministry also supports a development fund for amateur activities administered by The Art and Culture Joint Council for Amateurs.

ANTI-DOPING DENMARK
Anti-Doping Denmark is a programme that came to fruition as a result of cooperative efforts between the Government and various Danish sporting organisations. The programme has a two-pronged objective: firstly, to strengthen and develop the fundamental values inherent both in elite sports and in broader, popular sports by means of information campaigns, creating a higher profile, and research; secondly, to establish a framework to ensure effective drug testing in the various sports milieus. For further information see www.doping.dk

FINANCE
Total public spending on sport in 2002 is budgeted at DKK 3,229.0 million, of which the State’s share is 606.8 million. Add to this municipal expenditure of some DKK 500 million for sports facilities.

ADDRESSES

The National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark
(Danmarks Olympiske Komité/
Danmarks Idræts-Forbund, DOK/DIF)
Idrættens Hus
Brøndby Stadion 20
DK-2605 Brøndby
Tel. +45 43 26 26 26
www.dif.dk

Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations
(Danske Gymnastik- og Idrætsforeninger, DGI)
Vingsted Skovvej 1
Post Box 569
DK-7100 Vejle
Tel. +45 79 40 40 40
www.dgi.dk

The Danish Company
Sports Federation
(Dansk Firmaidrætsforbund, DFIF)
Storebæltsvej 11
DK-5800 Nyborg
Tel. +45 65 31 65 60
www.dfif.dk

Team Danmark
Idrættens Hus
Brøndby Stadion 20
DK-2605 Brøndby
Tel. +45 43 26 26 26
www.teamdanmark.dk

The Art and Culture Joint Council for Amateurs
(Amatørernes Kunst og Kultur Samråd)
Bredgade 36, 2.
1260 København K
Tlf.: + 45 33 14 10 94
www.akks.dk

National Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities
(Lokale- og Anlægsfonden)
Kanonbådsvej 12
DK-1437 København K
Tel.: + 45 32 83 03 30
www.loa-fonden.dk