Copenhagen families earn rewards for being outdoors with Civic Dollars
New pilot project connects nature, neighbourhoods and healthy lifestyles through Civic Dollars app
Copenhagen, Denmark / Belfast, Northern Ireland 25th June 2025
What if a walk in the park, a family picnic or a game of tag at the playground could earn you more than fresh air? In Copenhagen, a brand-new pilot project at a flourishing community centre is doing just that.
The Civic Dollars app, launched in association with the Spor10 community centre, rewards local residents for embracing the outdoors in designated zones like parks, playgrounds, and scenic harbour areas. It’s a joyful invitation to make these spaces the heart of healthy, connected, and thriving communities, especially for families in underserved neighbourhoods.
“This project is about sparking active lifestyles, forging stronger neighbourhood bonds, and ensuring everyone can enjoy the health benefits of being physically active,” said Thomas Hilberg Rahbek, Health Equity Project Lead at Cities for Better Health.
Outdoor time that gives back
The app is simple: spend 30 minutes in a designated zone, such as a park, playground or outdoor fitness area, and earn 1 Civic Dollar. These can be redeemed for healthy rewards at Spor10, such as fitness classes and nutritious meals, each for just 5 Civic Dollars.
“Civic Dollars gives me the opportunity and motivation to discover new places in my local area because of the earning zones I didn’t know existed. Imagine living here my whole life and only realising this now through using Civic Dollars.” – Project participant
In one local school, students were challenged to earn Civic Dollars to unlock a year-end sports day at Spor10. The school built “earning days” into the curriculum, where the class went to nearby parks to spend time outside and earn Civic Dollars together.
A group of student ambassadors from the school are shaping the project’s future, helping refine app features and expand teen offerings at Spor10. The students are also co-developing a Civic Dollar challenge for neighbourhood schools next year.
A hub for health and community
Spor10, a massive 6,500 m2 former railway workshop, is a pioneering urban development that has quickly become a vital hub for surrounding communities. The facility now caters to local residents of every age, offering creative classes, a giant children’s play space, and a scooter park. For adults, a growing community of sports associations is flourishing.
The site has become a beacon of inclusivity, serving as a popular gathering place that meets the diverse needs of Copenhageners. It is all centred on the belief that cities should be conducive to the health and well-being of their residents, encouraging an active lifestyle and fostering a sense of community.
“SPOR10 gives me both community and movement on the walk there. I chat with other parents while the kids are in boxing class, and we strengthen our neighbourhood ties and get to know each other in new and meaningful ways.” – Project participant
With Civic Dollars, the centre is becoming even more accessible, welcoming new families, sparking curiosity and encouraging people to be active and enjoy healthy meals together.
Powered by Partnership
The pilot is led by Cities for Better Health, NREP, KAB and Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, with support from the Mit Kvarter social housing initiative. The project brings together partners across health, housing and research to test a scalable, community-driven approach to healthy living. “Before we started the project, we carefully analysed local demographics in social housing areas near SPOR10, looking at factors like employment and education levels, and community dynamics. These are often indicators of increased risk of developing obesity throughout the life course,” Rahbek added.
“We saw a big opportunity to increase people’s engagement with outdoor spaces, and simultaneously foster tighter community bonds through SPOR10, where people can eat healthily in a communal setting and explore the many healthy activities on offer.”
As engagement with the app grows, the project hopes to expand the reward options through partnerships with local businesses.
Stay tuned for upcoming announcements as this strategic collaboration evolves.
Innovative tech for lasting impact
Behind the scenes, Civic Dollars generates valuable data, tracking how people use public space and what motivates them to return. Insights from the pilot will help improve reward structures and design more inclusive tools to support long-term health-promoting behaviours.
As the pilot grows, so does its potential. With new partnerships, new users, and more ways to learn and engage with Spor10, the project with Civic Dollars demonstrates how cities can turn everyday routines into opportunities for healthier, more connected lives.
For more information, contact:
Stephen McPeake CEO - Civic Dollars - stephen@civicdollars.com https://civicdollars.com