---
title: "Start Your Own Association"
description: "In Denmark, associations and clubs are a central part of community life. If you cannot find a group that matches your interests, you can create your own."
date: "2026-08-11"
created: "2026-08-07"
---

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                    [Social Life and Communities](https://newcomers.lolland.dk/social-life-and-communities)

                [Start Your Own Association](https://newcomers.lolland.dk/social-life-and-communities/start-your-own-association)

# Start Your Own Association

In Denmark, associations and clubs are a central part of community life. If you cannot find a group that matches your interests, you can create your own. Starting an association is a great way to meet people, share a hobby, celebrate your culture, organize activities, or build a new community. In Denmark, anyone can start an association.

## How to Get Started

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                                    Step 1: Find People Who Share Your Interest

Begin by gathering a small group of people who are interested in the same activity, cause, or community. This could be anything from sports, arts and culture, language exchange, food traditions, or social activities.

###

                                    Step 2: Define Your Purpose

Decide what your association wants to achieve. Having a clear purpose will help attract members and make it easier to organize activities.

###

                                    Step 3: Create Basic Rules

Most associations have a set of statutes (vedtægter) that describe:

- The association's purpose
- Who can become a member
- How decisions are made
- How the board is elected
- How finances are managed

###

                                    Step 4: Elect a Board

Danish associations are usually run democratically by a board elected by the members. A chairperson, treasurer, and secretary are common roles.

###

                                    Step 5: Register Your Association

Your association does not need official approval to exist. However, if you want to apply for municipal funding, use municipal facilities, or access other support schemes, you may need to register and apply for approval as a voluntary association (folkeoplyst forening) through Lolland Municipality's Association Portal.

To be approved, the association must be based in or have a clear connection to Lolland Municipality. Please note that approval may take some time, and for certain types of associations the process can take up to two months.

If you need help to do so, Frivillig Center Lolland is a good place to reach out to.

To qualify, your association must:

- Have a Danish CVR number (the official business and association registration number).
- Have a NemKonto linked to the same CVR number for receiving public payments and grants.
- Have formal statutes/bylaws describing the association's purpose, governance, and rules.
- Comply with the requirements of the Danish Act on Non-Formal General Education (Folkeoplysningsloven).
- Submit an annual declaration regarding child safeguarding checks if the association works with children and young people.

#### Benefits of Being an Approved Association

Approved associations may be eligible to:

- Apply for activity grants for children and young people under the age of 25.
- Apply for grants towards facilities and premises.
- Receive support for volunteer leadership and board member training.
- Borrow or rent municipal venues and sports facilities.
- Participate in the democratic election of representatives to the Municipal Committee for Non-Formal Education and Associations.

[Register at Lolland Municipality's Association Portal (in Danish)](https://foreningsportalen.lolland.dk/side.asp?wkid=lolland&side=14)

## Martina Jenny Frang Mostad

Newcomers Service

+45 23 99 59 36

newcomers@lolland.dk

## Thomas Nielsen

FrivilligCenter Lolland

+45 26 15 69 55

thomas@frivilliglolland.dk