Living Lakes Lab – a sustainability project at International People’s College
Living Lakes Lab is IPC’s new hands-on sustainability project that explores how we can transform our surroundings into greener, more inclusive, and climate-conscious spaces – right here on campus.
With students at the centre, we aim to reconnect with nature, strengthen local biodiversity, and rethink how we live and learn together across cultures and landscapes.
What are the aims of Living Lakes Lab?
Living Lakes Lab is a dynamic and collaborative space where students, teachers, and local partners co-create sustainable change.
The project includes:
- Restoring nature around the lakes at IPC (e.g., wildflower beds, sustainable stream regulation, rainwater management in the surrounding area, development of pathways, small bridges, and natural stairways)
- Reimagining our outdoor spaces at IPC from eco-friendly seating areas to green learning zones
- Creating learning opportunities across subjects like sustainability, permaculture, climate justice, and much more
- Involving the local community in green events and shared environmental efforts
- Building a student-led culture of care, responsibility, and future thinking when it comes to nature and the relation to peace
The overall vision of Living Lakes Lab, in line with the school’s overall purpose of promoting peaceful coexistence, is to create a closer connection to and understanding of nature concerning sustainability and cultural exchange.
Why a lab?
We call it a lab because we experiment, try things out, and learn as we go. It’s about asking questions like: How can we make IPC more sustainable – not just in words, but in action? What can we learn from each other’s practices – from Hungary to Hong Kong to Helsingør? How can outdoor spaces become part of the classroom and part of the community?
Who is involved?
The project builds on existing knowledge and experience from the school’s sustainability efforts and Living Lab classes and has been developed in close collaboration between the school’s teachers, maintenance staff, students, and management, as well as in consultation with Helsingør Municipality, Dalgas, and the Forest and Landscape College at the University of Copenhagen.
At Living Lakes Lab, we aim to actively engage local partners and individuals, from people walking their dogs and learning as they pass through campus, to nearby institutions, schools, and nature organizations. Our vision is to make the IPC grounds a shared learning space where curiosity, collaboration, and care for nature are encouraged across generations and backgrounds.
Whether you’re a local resident, a student, or part of an organization, we invite you to be part of this living experiment in sustainability and community-based learning. Whether you’re planting wildflowers, designing nature trails, measuring water quality, or hosting a community bonfire night, being part of the Living Lakes Lab means contributing to something meaningful.
Together, we grow. Literally 🌿
Living Lakes Lab and IPC
At IPC, we are deeply committed to global education, democratic world development, sustainability, and social and economic justice. The Living Lakes Lab project is rooted in our core values (https://ipc.dk/about/ipcs-core-values/), and reflects our belief that working towards a more sustainable world helps reduce pressure on people everywhere in the world. In the long run, that can lead to more peace, which is the ultimate goal of our folk high school.
Over the past two terms, we’ve run a class called Living Lakes Lab, where students experiment with real-world solutions for rainwater management, biodiversity, and the creation of outdoor learning spaces. This multi-term project will continue developing these ideas, turning IPC’s landscape into a living lab for sustainability, community learning, and hands-on climate action.
Partnerships
Living Lakes Lab is a part of Vekselvirke, a joint initiative by the Nordea Foundation and the Association of Folk High Schools in Denmark. The initiative supports ambitious and innovative projects that promote sustainability through new courses, events, and green facilities.
Stay updated
The project will be implemented over a period of 18 months, with a start in the summer of 2025.
Follow the journey of Living Lakes Lab on social media, or drop by IPC in Helsingør to see it grow.
If you are interested in participating in Living Lakes Lab or getting more information about the project, contact ipc@ipc.dk.
International People’s College
Montebello Allé 1
3000 Helsingør
Denmark
CVR: 23253410
EAN: 5790002651410
+45 49 21 33 61
ipc@ipc.dk
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