Partnership for Water: Promoting Healthy Drinking Habits Among Children and Young People
In the first phase, just under ten million kroner have been allocated to support activities, as well as the purchase and installation of 50 water stations.
Background of the project
Three out of four children and young people in Denmark drink more soda, soft drinks, and energy drinks than recommended. Half of 13- to 20-year-olds are even heavy consumers. For this reason, the Centre for Childhood Health has initiated a new partnership aimed at making water the natural choice for children and young people.
The partnership is also led by Madkulturen and Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen. It consists of nine organizations working together to make cold, fresh drinking water more accessible and attractive in, for example, schools, youth education institutions, leisure clubs, and sports facilities. The partnership will also focus on why so many children and young people have a high daily consumption of soda and similar drinks, and how this can be avoided.
The project focuses on the following:
The partnership has collected knowledge about why Danish children and young people make the beverage choices they do, as well as the experiences of parents, schools, and institutions in trying to limit consumption.
It will now test various initiatives that can nudge children and young people toward the tap rather than the kiosk. The partnership is currently in dialogue with five pilot municipalities to install around 50 water stations in schools, institutions, and sports halls. The goal is to gather knowledge and experience and subsequently expand the approach nationwide.
Over time, the partnership intends to invite new partners with knowledge and the ability to influence children and young people to join the collaboration. This could include actors from schools and educational environments, municipalities, the retail sector, sports and community organizations, NGOs, or others.
