Many different nationalities live in Gellerup. This town near Aarhus is characterised by a low level of incomes, a low level of education and many non-Danish-speaking people, as well as a large number of children under the age of 14 (average of 4 children for 1 adult). Approximately 52 different languages are spoken in the area. In some schools, all pupils are bilingual. The main goal of the project is to establish new management models for the social associations and organisations of the city in order to improve their cooperation and dialogue. The associations and people working with children, parents and families are also targeted by the project.

The Community Center Gellerup brings together the different social associations and organisations of the city to define together common strategies instead of a sum of isolated actions to make efficient public services for all communities. It calls upon competences and resources of various institutions, volunteer organisations, associations and citizens. Each participant in the cooperation process is considered as an equal partner. By this way, it promotes an active citizenship in giving all citizens the possibility to participate in the development of the Centre.

The results of the Community Centre Gellerup project are visible:

• A better co-operation between employees of the public administration and volunteers. On a 1-6 scale the status of the cooperation in 2005 was at 2,76. In 2007 this had improved to 4,11.
• Improved use of resources and an improved sharing of knowledge among employees of the public services. On the 1-6 scale the status in 2005 was 2,53. In 2007 it had improved to 4,26.
• A successful effort to ensure the appropriation of the common goals and strategies by the employees. On the 1-6 scale the status in 2005 was 2,29. In 2007 this had improved to 4,37.

The Community Centre Gellerup project has been running for several years. In the beginning of 2007 the project was evaluated, and the conclusion of this evaluation was very positive (see results). For this reason, the project has become now part of a regular service. The cooperation and the dialogue of the different institutions and organisations involved in the project was the first “new model of management” for them.

The Community Centre Gellerup has two target groups:

• Staff members of the social institutions of the city (Healthcare Centre, Public Information and Aarhus Public Libraries/Gellerup Library)
• Citizens in Gellerup

• Total budget for the Community Centre Gellerup: 110 600 EUROS (824.717 Danish Kroner (DKR) )
• Source of funding: Danish government