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The Tøndermarsk Initiative
Tøndermarsken is part of the Danish Wadden Sea. It is a unique area with great potential, not least in terms of sustainable tourism. Since 2010, the area has been part of the Wadden Sea National Park, and in 2014 it was included in UNESCO's prestigious list of World Heritage Sites. But at the same time, the area around Tøndermarsken was characterised by many of the same challenges that outlying areas face across the country.
The municipality of Tønder has experienced major demographic and structural changes. Loss of jobs, large-scale relocation and a continued fall in property prices has meant empty properties, the loss of buildings of cultural value and less faith in the future. At the same time, climate change and increasing water levels in the River Vidå system pose a threat to the towns of Tøndermarschen.
This was the reason why Tønder Municipality, the A.P. Møller Foundation and Realdania joined forces with local forces to give Tøndermarsken a massive boost and thereby support sustainable development in the area. The partners' vision for the project was to bring together local, regional and national forces to develop Tøndermarsken, so that the area would continue to be attractive to visit, work and live in.
Start
The collaboration began in 2015, when Tønder Municipality approached Realdania's subsidiary Realdania By & Byg with an idea for an urban renewal process in Højer, a town of almost 1,300 inhabitants in the Tøndermarsken region. Urban renewal aimed to safeguard the special historical buildings and architectural cultural values threatened by negative development.
The initial dialogue showed that the problems, but also the potential, of the area extended beyond Højer. It was therefore decided that Tønder Municipality and Realdania would jointly finance and collaborate on a thorough feasibility study to identify barriers, opportunities and potentials for a coordinated and comprehensive effort in the Tøndermarsk area.
'A lot of effort went into the feasibility studies. Analyses and reports were of course important, but just as important was the presence of Realdania By & Byg's project manager in Tønder during the development of the Initiative. It provided a common understanding of the task, ensured support - and laid a foundation of trust and enthusiasm essential for working long-term and strategically in a partnership'. Stine Lea Jacobi, Programme Manager, Realdania
The feasibility studies were conducted over two years and identified the need for a holistic approach: a number of mutually supporting sub-projects within a coordinated, multi-level Tøndermarsk initiative focusing on urban transformation, the physical upgrading of Højer, landscape development, value-added climate adaptation, tourist and commercial development, improved organisation and local ownership.
During the process, it became clear that a multi-level effort would require both a multi-level investment - and multi-level skills. Talks was therefore initiated with interested parties whose aims and financial capabilities could support the project. In this context, the A.P. Møller Foundation became a partner on an equal footing with Realdania, and later other stakeholders, such as the Nordea Foundation and the Danish Nature Foundation joined the work.
'We became interested in Collective Impact thinking. Could we actually succeed in an area facing so many challenges, and by using all the good forces, approaches and efforts we could muster actually halt the downward spiral? This was an exciting idea, and what's more, others could benefit from hearing about it'.
Keld I. Hansen, Deputy Municipal Director, Municipality of Tønder and Project Director, Tøndermarsk Initiative
Organisation
The framework of the Tøndermarsk Initiative was a partnership agreement, which defined the framework, objectives and areas of action. Financially, the initiative went from an initial budget of DKK 210.9 million to over DKK300 million as more agencies and investors came on board.
The project was organised with a partnership group at decision-maker level, consisting of Realdania, Tønder Municipality and the A.P. Møller Foundation, all of which supported the initiative financially. To run the project, a secretariat was established, headed by a project director, to ensure progress and coordination with the municipality's project participants.
To ensure a good local footing, an advisory steering group was also set up with the mayor of Tønder and the project director at the table. It included representation from all external stakeholders and the many local stakeholders -
Duration of the initiative
2016-2022
Partners
Realdania, A.P. Møller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller's Public Benefit Fund, Nordea Foundation, Tønder Municipality, Tønder Forsyning, The Danish Nature Fund, 15. Juni Fonden, EU LIFE Nature programme, Wadden Sea National Park, Stiftung Naturschutz, The Danish Nature Agency, The Danish Agricultural Agency, Region of Southern Denmark, statslig landsby-fornyelsespulje (village renewal fund), statslig områdefornyelsespulje (regional renewal fund), statslig tilgængelighedspulje (equal access fund), LAG Haderslev-Tønder, Erhvervsfremmestyrelsen (Agency for the promotion of commerce).
Objective
The project aims to make the Tøndermarsk area a more attractive place to visit, work and live.
Approach
A holistic approach involving cross-sectoral collaboration, activities and agencies across six sub-projects:
1. Højer Village Fund(grants for restoration buildings for conservation)
2. Urban transformation Højer
3. Tracks & Paths
4. River Vidå climate adaptation
5. Tønder climate adaptation
6. Commerce and Tourism
Examples of action to be taken
• Greater efforts to improve tourism; improved cooperation between tourism stakeholders; strengthening value chains; improving the quality of services generally through training and an advisory service for SMBs.
• Commercial development with a focus on the food sector and other sectors that can strengthentourism development. Establishment of a food culture centre, advisory service and networking between businesses.
• Establishment of an urban fund, so that owners of listed or conservation buildings in the historic centre of Højer can apply for grants to renovate their properties, improving the quality of urban spaces.
