About Outdoor Institute

Who is Outdoor Institute?

Access to nature and the wide range of possible outdoor activities fulfils a core human need and also provides a wide range of benefits. The location of Silkeborg in the middle of an area with lakes, rivers and forests provides an opportunity to explore the integration of the outdoors and outdoor activities in interaction with the core mission and policies of the municipality.

Silkeborg's ambition to be Denmark's Outdoor Capital requires the creation of value for all stakeholders and target groups, both locally, nationally and internationally. The Outdoor Institute plays a crucial role in this ambition and strengthens the ongoing development of Denmark's Outdoor Capital.

The Outdoor Institute is established as a strong and independent initiator, facilitator and bridge builder that can collaborate with the many relevant actors. The institute has a special role due to its association to Silkeborg as Denmark's Outdoor Capital.

Strong political and municipal support

Silkeborg Municipality supports the Outdoor Institute's role as a development and knowledge centre for Denmark's Outdoor Capital. Formally confirmed in Commitment til Outdoor Institute by Major Helle Gade and Municipal Director Lone Lyrskov.

"The Outdoor Institute has a very special role in the development of an Outdoor Living Lab, which links practice with research, and where the municipality in relevant areas, in collaboration with the Outdoor Institute, makes itself available for national and international outdoor research."

Helle Gade (Mayor, Silkeborg Municipality)

Why?

At Outdoor Institute, we believe that an increase in the integration of nature and outdoor in our day-to-day lives:

Will ensure better well-being for the individual, increased cohesion in society and better welfare for more people.
Provides financial benefit for the municipality and industry, provides a sharp and interesting municipal identity and makes us a Danish and international first-mover in the coupling of Outdoor and welfare.
Creates social and environmental sustainability and balance between the use and protection of our unique nature.

Vision

Outdoor Institute strives to be a leading national, and international development- and knowledge-sharing actor who, through Outdoor, strengthens health, quality of life, welfare and growth.

Læs vores strategi / Read our Strategy

Main Strategy

Outdoor Institute wants to create synergy between Silkeborg Municipality, and other public and private stakeholders, in the form of collaborations and partnerships that create space for innovation, development, knowledge sharing and research in Denmark's Outdoor Capital.

It is the Outdoor Institute's strategy, to promote the value of outdoor use, by strengthening development, knowledge sharing and research initiatives across sectors and levels, for the benefit of all target groups both locally, nationally and internationally

Contact us for a meeting about outdoor

We help connect the many different actors who want to use outdoor to strengthen health, well-being and growth. We initiate, share knowledge and facilitate collaborations.

You are always welcome to email or call us to discuss a new initiative, an ongoing project, a future collaboration or anything else.

Heiko Buch-Illing
CEO

Education:
Cand.Scient. Biology, Diploma in Management, "Verwaltungsfachangestellter", Falckredder

Professional background:
I have extensive experience in developing and anchoring overall political and organisational visions and goals and am concerned with real value creation for my stakeholders and target groups that is sustainable and therefore lasting.

Contact:
heiko@outdoorinstitute.dk
+45 24 88 96 28

Bjarne Bo Christensen - Kommunikationsansvarlig

Bjarne Bo Christensen
Lead of Communication

Uddannelse:
Master in IKT og Learning, NGO leadership, Bachelor in Social Anthropology and minor in Physical Education.

Professionel background:
I have extensive experience in knowledge sharing and strategic communication from my time at Astra - and at the Outdoor Institute I focus on organizational development and building a strong communication platform to support the Outdoor Institute's strategic efforts.

Contact:
bjarne@outdoorinstitute.dk
+45 31 38 98 31

Lene Lottrup
Project Manager

Uddannelse:
Arkitekt cand.arch., Ph.D.,
process consultant

Professionel background:
For the past 15 years, I have worked with nature as a health promoter - as a landscape architect, researcher, process consultant and teacher. I am interested in how we implement knowledge about nature as a resource for human health in both long-term strategies and concrete projects.

Contact:
lene@outdoorinstitute.dk
+45 28 30 25 56