We, the members and users of Pangaea Youth Network, are asking Horsens Kommune to support our community with a workspace that matches the impact we are already creating — and gives us the possibility to create much more.

From our current basement space, Pangaea has grown into a community of 183 members. Over several years, volunteers and members have transformed this modest space with their own hands into a warm and welcoming home. From here, we have built activities around youth development, leadership, intercultural connection, sustainability, creativity and community participation. Pangaea’s work brings young people and local residents together through workshops, community-driven events, Erasmus+ opportunities and non-formal learning experiences, with a strong focus on personal, professional and social development.  

But the space is now limiting what the community can become.

Our basement is small, enclosed and has very limited natural daylight. Office work, meetings, workshops and the sorting of rescued supermarket food often have to happen in the same restricted area. This makes it difficult to host larger groups, create the atmosphere needed for high-quality workshops, or offer the professional and welcoming environment that young people, volunteers, partners and visitors deserve.

A better space would not simply make Pangaea more comfortable — it would multiply our impact.

Our workshops focus on holistic development, leadership, youth empowerment, integration, belonging and creating safe spaces where people can build meaningful relationships. We work to reduce loneliness and social isolation by connecting Danish and international young people and creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to participate in community life together. Our activities already use practical experiences such as community cooking to build teamwork, leadership, sustainability and a sense of belonging.  

With larger rooms, natural daylight and separate areas for different activities, we could:

* welcome significantly more young people into workshops, social initiatives and community events;
* create more attractive and inspiring activities, increasing participation and encouraging people to return;
* run higher-quality workshops on leadership, wellbeing, personal development, integration and youth participation;
* provide dedicated spaces for food rescue, storage and community cooking without disrupting office or learning activities;
* offer a safer and more professional environment for volunteers, interns, partners, international participants and local organisations;
* strengthen collaboration between Danish and international youth and give more young people opportunities to take responsibility, develop skills and become active contributors to Horsens.

Pangaea already works to create a more inclusive and supportive local community and collaborates through projects, workshops, international exchanges and community initiatives.   Imagine what could be achieved if the physical environment supported that ambition rather than restricted it.

An opportunity may now become available at Horsens Sund By after the current occupants move out in December. We believe this could provide the space Pangaea needs to enter its next stage: more daylight, more room, dedicated activity areas, a professional setting for meetings and workshops, and a central and accessible place where young people genuinely want to spend time.

With the right space, Pangaea can reach more people, create stronger experiences, develop more young leaders and contribute even more to making Horsens a place where young people — Danish and international alike — can connect, belong and flourish.