“Trust in young people's dreams. Support to realize them.” This is the mantra of the Aarhus-based association Paradigmeskiftet, which operates from the understanding that it takes new paths to help young people who lose their footing in the traditional systems.

– For us, the young person's wishes and dreams are at the center. This does not mean that we sit back – on the contrary. We look beyond the public system's frameworks and tailor the support individually, says the leader of Paradigmeskiftet, Steffen Rasmussen.

Paradigmeskiftet is an alternative school offering free teaching and mentoring programs in project development, entrepreneurship, technology, and gaming. The school does not receive public funding but is solely operated through donations and companies that sponsor a free spot for a young person. This allows for new approaches in the work of helping young people move towards jobs or education.

– It is a school for young people who do not fit into the system's boxes, he says.

Vulnerable, but not at risk

There is room for 24 students at a time. What they have in common is that they are outside of education and the labor market. Many have diagnoses, while others struggle with anxiety, depression, or loneliness.

– We are talking about vulnerable, but not at-risk youth. Our task is to ensure that they do not move from vulnerability to risk. They all hold potential, and our goal is to give them the courage and belief that they can realize it, says Steffen Rasmussen.

According to Paradigmeskiftet, around 43,000 young people in Denmark are outside both the labor market and the education system. This calls for new solutions – and for an approach where the young people's experiences and perspectives are seen as a strength that can be utilized for the benefit of both the individual and society.

– At Paradigmeskiftet, young people have the opportunity to develop skills, build relationships, and find new directions in life – in a community where there is room for both diversity and vulnerability, he says.

The funds from Fonden Sol og Strand, founded by Margit and Kjeld, will be used for activities that strengthen the students' skills, well-being, and social development.

– For many of the students, everyday life has been marked by isolation for extended periods. Here, shared experiences can be an important step towards greater well-being and participation in the community, says Steffen Rasmussen.

Paradigmeskiftet has, among others, hosted a HR director who – despite four diagnoses – leads 200 employees, the author Lotus Turéll, the drummer from the band Carpark North, and musician Mathilde Falch.

– It helps to show young people that it is possible to realize their dreams, even if the path there is not always straightforward. At Paradigmeskiftet, we nurture their dreams and provide them with the tools to live them out, says Steffen Rasmussen.

Paradigmeskiftet was established in 2024, so it is still too early to measure the full impact of the effort.

– We will get the first major data extraction in 2026, but even now we can see that all students who have gone through the program have improved. They have gained greater self-belief, increased motivation, and experience less loneliness, says Steffen Rasmussen.

He also reports that out of a group of 15 young people, two have secured full-time jobs, one has obtained an apprenticeship, two have applied for education, three are in internships, while two have dropped out during the process. The remaining are continuing into a new program, where there is increased focus on the transition to internships, education, or work afterwards.