About us
The Danish Institute for Non-Formal Education (Vifo) collects, analyses and shares knowledge in the area of non-formal education and democratic voluntary activity.
We primarily focus on non-formal adult education and non-formal youth and children leisure activities such as the scout movement and political and religious youth organisations.
Vifo’s tasks include
- establishing a general overview of and insight into the field of non-formal education
- analysing the implications and perspectives of policy initiatives within the field of non-formal education
- initiating public debate on key issues regarding non-formal education
Vifo is a part of the Danish Institute for Sports Studies, which is a self-governing institution working to establish a general overview of and insight into the field of sports through data gathering, analyses, and research.
Besides Vifo, the Danish Institute for Sports Studies also includes Play the Game – an initiative working to promote democracy, transparency and freedom of expression in international sport.
Mission
The objectives of the Danish Institute for Non-formal Education, the Danish Institute for Sports Studies, and Play the Game:
- to establish a general overview of and insight into the fields of sports and non-formal education nationally as well as internationally
- to analyse the implications and perspectives of policy initiatives within the fields of sports and non-formal education
- to initiate public debate on key issues regarding non-formal education and Danish and international sports politics including organising the international Play the Game conference.
Vision
The Danish Institute for Sports Studies is a leading knowledge partner that aims to qualify the work with key issues in sport and non-formal education and stimulate constructive political discussions and lasting solutions in practice.
Values
The work of the institute is guided by six value-based ambitions:
- Expertise: The work of the institute should be based on high standards of academic excellence
- Relevance: The work of the institute must address issues of importance to our stakeholders
- Impact: The institute aims to communicate in a clear and incisive manner
- Independence: The work of the institute must not be influenced by political considerations or interests
- Interdisciplinarity: The work of the institute should cut across disciplines and professional demarcations
- Professionalism: The work processes at the institute must be transparent, effective, and of high quality
Strategy
The Danish Institute for Sports Studies, Play the Game, and the Danish Institute for Non-formal Education has set a number of new strategic goals based on inputs from stakeholders and partners and on our understanding of the current developments within non-formal education and sports – both nationally and internationally.
We want to be a leading professional and practice-oriented environment, providing stakeholders within the sectors of non-formal education and sports with new knowledge about their fields and the roles they play in society.
To fulfil this ambition, we will use the best available methods to create relevant and academically based knowledge and put it into play. It also requires us to become even better at shortening the distance from knowledge to action.
We will do this in cooperation with the outside world by building partnerships, and we will look inward to create synergy across the institute’s functions and improve our work processes to get the most out of our resources.
The Danish Institute for Sports Studies is funded through a basic annual grant from the Danish Ministry of Culture of 10.0 million DKK in 2019. The grant is regulated through the Danish Lottery Act.
Moreover, commissioned research projects, external project grants, and other commercial activities are part of the monetary funding of the Danish Institute of Sports Studies.
The Danish Institute for Sports Studies is directed by a board that consists of six members appointed by the Danish Minister for Culture.
The responsibility for the daily management of the institute lies with director Troels Rasmussen. The management group further consists of Rasmus K. Storm and Henriette Bjerrum.
See all employees at the Danish Institute for Sports Studies
Disclaimer: This is a slightly adapted translation for international readers. See the original Danish text here.
Article 1: Name
The Danish Institute for Sports Studies (Idrættens Analyseinstitut, Idan) operates in accordance with the national legislation regarding the allocation of the surplus from the Danish lotteries.
The Danish Institute for Sports Studies is a public, independent research centre covered by the Public Administration Act and the act on transparency in public administration.
Article 2: Place of residence
The institute is based in Aarhus Municipality, Denmark.
Article 3: Objectives
The objectives of the Danish Institute for Sports Studies are:
- to establish a general overview of and insight into academic and other forms of research within the fields of sports and non-formal education nationally as well as internationally
- to analyse the implications and perspectives of policy initiatives within the fields of sport and non-formal education
- to initiate public debate on key issues in non-formal education and in Danish and international sports politics
- to organise the international Play the Game conference at suitable intervals for a target group of Danish and international journalists, academic researchers, and sports officials
- to develop the Danish Institute for Non-Formal Education with an independent research and communication profile.
Article 4: Composition of the board
The Danish Institute for Sports Studies is directed by a board that consists of six members, including the chairman, who are all appointed by the Danish Minister for Culture.
4.2: The board members are appointed for a term of four years. Board members can be reappointed once. At the very first appointment of the board, three members will be appointed for a term of only two years.
4.3: In the event that a board member steps down, a new member of the board will be appointed for the remainder of the term.
4.4: The board members must collectively have competencies in the areas of Danish and international sports politics, media, sports research, the field of non-formal education, and economics.
4.5: The board is appointed in accordance with the regulations outlined in the law on equality between men and women.
4.6: The Minister for Culture determines the remuneration for the chairman and the remaining board members.
4.7: The board determines its own rules of procedure including rules on incapacity and confidentiality.
Article 5: Responsibilities of the board
The board is responsible for the overall management of the Danish Institute for Sports Studies. It is responsible for all the institute's activities and must ensure that the institute complies with terms and conditions from grant-making authorities.
5.2: The board makes its decisions based on simple majority votes. In the event of a tie, the chairman of the board has the casting vote. A two-thirds majority is demanded for changing the statutes in accordance with article 12.
5.3: The board is competent in making decisions when at least half of the board members are present, including the chairman of the board.
Article 6: The Play the Game conference
Based on recommendations from the administration, the board will appoint a Programme Committee for the international Play the Game conference consisting of at least seven Danish and international experts. The role of the Programme Committee is to give advice on conference themes and speakers. The Programme Committee is also responsible for evaluating the conference.
6.2: The chairman of the Programme Committee should be an employee at the Danish Institute for Sports Studies. Members of the Danish Institute for Sports Studies’ board cannot be appointed to the Programme Committee.
6.3: The host country for the Play the Game conference should have the possibility to be represented on the Programme Committee with at least two members.
Article 7: Day-to-day management
The board appoints and dismisses the director of the institute. The director is responsible for the day-to-day management of the institute in accordance with its statutes and instructions from the board.
7.2: The director appoints and dismisses all other employees at the institute in accordance with the rules of the Danish state on salaries and terms of employment.
Article 8: Authority to sign binding commitments
The chairman of the board together with another board member or the director has the authority to sign binding commitments on behalf of the institute.
Article 9: Funding
The funding of the Danish Institute for Sports Studies is defined in the national legislation regarding the allocation of the surplus from the Danish lotteries.
9.2: In addition, the institute may procure income from commissioned research, analyses, reports, evaluations, publications, external support, conference fees, etc.
Article 10: Budget, accounts, and auditing practice
The financial year of the Danish Institute for Sports Studies follows the calendar year from 1 January to 31 December.
10.2: The Danish Institute for Sports Studies submits a budget and an annual financial and general report in accordance with the regulations in the law and regulations on the financial and administrative requirements for institutions receiving funding from the Ministry of Culture.
10.3: The Ministry of Culture approves the annual budget, financial report, and general report.
Article 11: Dissolution
The decision to close down the institute can be taken by amending the national legislation regarding the allocation of the surplus from the Danish lotteries.
11.2: In the event that the institute is closed, the Minister for Culture decides on the recommendation of the board on how to use any remaining capital on suitable projects in line with the institute's objectives.
The board's decision must be approved by the Ministry of Culture.
Article 12: Amendments to the statutes
Amendments to the statutes can be initiated by the Minister for Culture independently or on request from the board of the Danish Institute for Sports Studies.
Article 13:
The statutes come into effect on 1 June 2018
The statutes were amended on 21 March 2018 by the board.