Get to know your board member series- Annika Svensson

Meet Annika Svensson, one of the esteemed board members of the IFS from AskovFonden in Denmark! With her wealth of experience in social justice and community work, Annika brings invaluable insights to the IFS’ mission and values. In this installment of ‘Get to Know Your Board Member’ series, we’ll delve into Annika’s background, expertise, and contributions to our cause. Read the exclusive interview with Annika Svensson and get to know the driving force behind her efforts to promote positive change!

Where do you work and what is your title?

I am The Development Director and part of the executive leadership team in AskovFonden – a non-for-profit organization and settlement in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Briefly summarize your background

I was born and raised in the south of Sweden. I got my bachelor degree at Lund University, and after I had my first child in 1999 I finished my studies and completed my  Master of social science at Copenhagen University. I moved to Copenhagen in 1995. I used to work as a project manager in the IT industry (websites, online games, and backend systems) but found my right shelf in AskovFonden in 2001. In 2008 I moved back to Sweden and my current home is in Malmoe. Where I live in a small house with two of my three children – one moved out. When I joined AskovFonden I worked with development, research projects, analyzes and education. I developed an online platform for collecting data for our programs (assessment and intervention model), so we finally could get rid of our paper sheet questionnaires.  In 2013 Helle Øbo became the CEO for Askovfonden, and since then I have been a part of the executive leadership team.  My greatest concern is that we create a platform so we can measure the outcome in our programs and activities – so we have data that support our statements on results. The data is there to help us improve our programs and to take the role of being a policymaker and advocate for our target groups.  I also have a leading role in developing our Social Outcome Contracts – which I see as an important and additional way of financing our programs and gives us the possibility to be innovative.

Describe what you do for AskovFonden

I take part in the management, develop our data collection so we can keep on with our public policy and advocacy – based on data, manage fundraising processes, lead our international work, facilitate workshops.

What are your hopes for the future of the IFS and the Settlement Movement in general?

I am inspired and humbled by the idea of IFS and the Settlement Movement possibility to connect and inspire our members, The possibility to share knowledge and ensure the best practice possible, and to raise the voice of our target groups and bring their message and needs to an international level. I agree with my colleague board member Kenzie hope that we can all find the resources to strengthen our existing connections and bring more settlement houses together. Because in every meeting I learn something new – and no matter where we come from or what organization we represent – we all have the same fire in our eyes.