A Factory that Funds Ideas

17:30 - 18:00

La Centrale

Modern philanthropy is evolving: it no longer funds individual short-term projects, but acts as a catalyst for systemic change. Søren Kaare-Andersen, CEO of the Danish foundation Bikubenfonden, will illustrate this evolution through a case study: Thoravej 29, in Copenhagen.

The project has transformed a former factory in the Nordvest district of the Danish capital into a community that brings together associations, researchers, artists, social innovators and designers under one roof. The space has been co-designed to encourage spontaneity and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Thoravej29’s story illustrates the role of a foundation in urban transformation, using the example of an industrial building turned into an open space. The lesson is this: to heal social divisions, we must first know how to design the spaces where new ideas can converge.

Copenhagen

Søren Kaare-Andersen CEO

Bikuben Foundation

Søren Kaare-Andersen has been one of the driving forces behind the transformation of the Bikuben Foundation, serving as its CEO since 2011. Today, the Bikuben Foundation works to solve some of society’s complex problems by taking a catalytic and system-changing approach to its philanthropic work. The Bikuben Foundation joins forces with others to get to the root of problems, initiate action, test new solutions, and train our ability to imagine societal change.

In addition to his work with the Bikuben Foundation, Kaare-Andersen is a member of the boards of a number of Danish companies and pension funds. At Utopian Hours he will present the ambitious community making project Thoravej 29.



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