Strong Connections with a Key Partner: We Presented the Open Future in Copenhagen

Exchanging valuable experiences with inspiring people who want to change the future in their communities, while also presenting the Open Future program at the premises of our significant Danish partner — this was the aim behind our trip to Copenhagen, where we were invited by the Danish company Velux. Their Villum Foundation generously supported the Open Future program as it expands to additional cities in Slovakia.

Back in 1965, Villum Kann Rasmussen already had a clear vision of how corporations should interact with their customers, partners, shareholders, and also the community. His strong desire to give back the company’s success to society led to the start of the first foundation in 1971. Ten years later, this philanthropist and visionary established the second foundation, Villum. 

Our non-formal education program, the Open Future, became a part of this legacy when it received a grant exceeding one million euros from this Danish foundation. The five-year financial support will allow the program to expand to more cities in Slovakia and reach a greater number of children.

Lucia Gregorová, the team leader for the Open Future, highlighted the opportunity to meet new people in the field of social innovation both locally and internationally during the trip to Denmark: “During the kick-off seminar in Copenhagen, organized by the Villum Foundation, we had the chance to meet people working for the foundation, learn about their activities and values, network, and exchange experiences with other organizations from Slovakia and the Czech Republic that focus on education and social innovation.” 

The factory in Copenhagen, where Velux produced its first skylight window in 1942, is now not only a beautiful museum of windows but also home to the Villum Foundation, which we had the opportunity to visit. “This donor genuinely cares about the impact of the projects they support, handling it professionally yet with warmth and from heart,” adds Lucia. 

The Villum Foundation supports innovative projects in education and social innovation, placing a strong emphasis on the impact of these projects and their importance to society. The Pontis Foundation’s Open Future program has received a grant of 1.3 million euros from the Villum Foundation.