About us

Democracy Fitness was developed when our founders noticed a free space within democracy methods, where individuals could come together and talk about democracy actively – sparking the idea of democracy muscles. Democracy must not be taken for granted. It is not something that simply falls into our laps. In a functioning democracy, citizens must constantly engage in it and strengthen their democratic participation.

 

Thanks to Foreningen Demokratiscenen, we tested the concept for the first time at Folkemødet in 2017 with a good response. Since then, the German Bosh Foundation, the Tuborg Foundation and most recently the Nordea Foundation have supported further development of the concept. With this fantastic support, we have been able to arrange trainings and camps on a regular basis – mostly in Denmark but also in Sweden and the Baltic countries, where organisers of Almedalsvekan and the Estonian people’s meeting have been very active in training and spreading information about Democracy Fitness.

The idea of the 10 democracy muscles and the training programs to strengthen them, is shared amongst people from more than 12 countries.

Today, Demokrati Fitness is anchored in Demokrati Garage, which runs the website and acts as its fundraiser and secretariat.

But we could not have done it without the over 200 coaches, partners and foundations who are constantly helping us to develop the concept and bring it into new and exciting spaces.

Fakta om Demokrati Fitness
  • Developed in 2017
  • 200+ Democracy Fitness Trainers
  • 6,000+ have tried Democracy Fitness
  • 16 Danish partners throughout the country

“It’s a gym – just centred around democracy”

Listen to Mire describe Democracy Fitness

What is Democracy Fitness?

Become better at challenging disagreeing opinions, learn to listen more actively or recognise how brave you are.

Democracy Fitness is a toolkit which focuses on the topics and values of everyday democracy.

Each of the 10 democracy muscles, is dedicated to a 30 minute training program, during which the participants are reminded of just how important they are to democracy.

Because without courage, empathy, curiosity, different attitudes and active actions, there would be no positive democratic development of our society. But, at the same time, it requires practice in active listening, verbal confidence, exploring disagreements, mobilising each other and find good compromises in a fast-paced world.

Democracy Fitness is the ice-breaker where we are reminded that democracy is not something dangerous or distant. Democracy is all of us and it is something we practice – every day, for the rest of our lives. At the same time, Democracy Fitness is the ice-breaker where we challenge ourselves to become better democrats.

And its also just incredibly fun!

Democracy Fitness is the ice-breaker where we are reminded that democracy is not something dangerous or distant. Democracy is all of us and it is something we practice – everyday, for the rest of our lives.

COMMITTEE

Maj Baltzarsen

Anne Mette Holme Bertelsen

Alma Holm Eeg

Ungetræner

FOUNDERS

Zakia Elvang

Projektejer og demokratirådgiver

Kathrine Krone Laurent

Journalist og demokratihusleder

Trine Demant

Antropolog og demokratifacilitator