Brugernes Akademi

What Brugernes Akademi does

Brugernes Akademi is a Danish nonprofit association (forening) founded in 2012 in Copenhagen by Anja Plesner Bloch, operating as the country's largest interest organization for current, former, and paused drug users. Its core mission is to improve conditions and rights for drug users across Denmark through harm reduction, health equality, and policy advocacy. The organization employs a community-led model in which peer workers with lived drug-use experience design and deliver services, supplemented by approximately 25 social frikort workers (welfare-protected employment scheme), volunteers, student assistants, and full-time staff.

The product portfolio combines free anonymous mail-order distribution of harm reduction supplies (injection needles/syringes, crack pipes, sterile preparation equipment, fentanyl and nitazene test strips) via a Shopify-powered e-commerce platform with on-the-ground services including a mobile clinic screening for Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis, and COPD across Region Hovedstaden, street outreach teams in Copenhagen, Odense, and Jutland, a peer advocate (bisidder) scheme, social inclusion programming (the "Users Against Loneliness" project in Region Sjælland), seasonal Christmas food boxes, and educational lectures. A wholly-owned subsidiary, Brugernes Pakkeri, established in January 2022 with Augustinus Fonden support, handles packing and institutional supply to shelters, treatment centers, and pharmacies while employing users under the social frikort scheme.

Revenue is generated entirely from foundation grants (Augustinus Fonden, Oak Foundation Denmark), government support (Social- og Boligstyrelsen), and individual/organizational donations — no commercial charges are levied on end users. The organization operates nationwide with headquarters on Vesterbro in Copenhagen and recognized regional awards including the 2020 Frivilligprisen and Hjertesager Prize. Strategic scale signals include a 60% year-over-year increase in packages shipped (1,591 in 2024 to 2,546 in 2025), ongoing geographic expansion into new Danish regions, and a broadening role as a research and policy advisor via published reports on substitution treatment.

Name

Brugernes Akademi

Legal name

Brugernes Akademi

Website

https://brugernesakademi.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Brugernes Akademi is a Danish nonprofit association founded in 2012 that delivers free, anonymous harm reduction supplies (injection equipment, drug tests), mobile health screening, street outreach, and peer advocacy for current, former, and paused drug users across Denmark.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Harm Reduction Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use, Addiction & Harm Reduction Health Departments (HLAJAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health Equity, Access & Social Determinants Programs (BPAIAJAO)

Keywords

• Harm reduction services
• Needle syringe exchange
• Drug testing supplies
• Peer advocacy
• Community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants and Donations: Non-profit organization funded by foundation grants, donations, and government support. No commercial revenue generation.
2. Support Donations: Receives monetary donations from individuals and organizations via bank transfer

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Brugernes Akademi is a user-led nonprofit association that provides free, anonymous harm reduction supplies (needles, syringes, crack pipes, filters, sterile water, drug testing strips) shipped nationally by mail order. It operates a mobile health clinic that screens marginalized individuals for Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis, and COPD, runs street outreach in multiple cities, peer advocate support, social inclusion programs, and educational lectures targeting professionals and policymakers.

Product overview

Brugernes Akademi is a Denmark-based non-governmental organization founded in 2012 by and for current, former, and paused drug users. The organization operates a multi-product harm reduction portfolio combining direct service delivery with advocacy. The core product offering consists of free harm reduction supplies (injection equipment including various needle types and syringe sizes, smoking equipment including crack pipes and bubble pipes, and sterile preparation tools) and drug testing products (Fentanyl and Nitazene test strips), all ordered through a Shopify-powered e-commerce platform and shipped anonymously by mail. The service portfolio is complemented by the Mobile Clinic (a low-threshold health service providing on-site screening for Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis, and COPD since 2018), the Advocate Scheme (peer accompaniment for navigating social services), street outreach programs in Copenhagen, Odense, and Jutland, the Users Against Loneliness social inclusion initiative in Region Sjælland, Brugernes Pakkeri (a subsidiary packing operation employing users via the Social Free Card), and public education through lectures and publications. The annual Christmas Box program provides seasonal food support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brugernes Pakkeri: A subsidiary of Brugernes Akademi founded in January 2022, where current and former drug users pack and develop injection kits and smoking kits for delivery to institutions across Denmark. Combines health promotion with employment through the social free card scheme.

Products and services

• Skadesreduktion på kasse (Harm Reduction by Mail Order) A nationwide postal order service providing free, anonymous shipment of harm reduction supplies (needles, syringes, crack pipes, drug test strips, and information on rights and overdose prevention) directly to drug users throughout Denmark. Orders are free and anonymous for both individuals and partner institutions.
• Den mobile klinik (Mobile Clinic) A mobile health service that visits shelters, drop-in centers, drug consumption rooms, and welfare institutions across Region Hovedstaden, providing on-site screening for Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis, and COPD to marginalized drug users. Up to 500 patients are examined annually.
• Bisidderordningen (Advocate Scheme) A volunteer peer-advocate service in which former or current drug users accompany individuals to meetings with social caseworkers, healthcare providers, and other authorities, advising them on their rights.
• Gadeture (Street Outreach) Regular street outreach activities delivering harm reduction supplies, information, and support to drug users on the street in Copenhagen, Odense, and Jutland cities, conducted every 14 days with a mobile cargo cart.
• Brugernes Akademi i Odense A local program in Odense combining street outreach via cargo bike, pop-up events every two weeks, rights workshops, and hepatitis/HIV screening to reach marginalized drug users in the Funen area.
• Brugerne mod ensomhed (Users Against Loneliness) An initiative creating inclusive communities to combat loneliness among marginalized drug users in Region Sjælland (Slagelse, Nykøbing Falster, Sakskøbing), running weekly meals, fitness activities, and social events.
• Sociale arrangementer (Social Events) Social activities including communal meals, bingo, creative workshops, cinema trips, fishing excursions, and fitness sessions held at the association's premises on Vesterbro in Copenhagen, supplemented by online events.
• Brugernes Pakkeri A wholly owned subsidiary founded in January 2022 that packs and develops injection kits and smoking kits for delivery to shelters, drop-in centers, drug treatment centers, and pharmacies nationwide. Combines harm reduction supply packing with paid employment for marginalized drug users via the Social Frikort scheme.
• Det sociale frikort (Social Free Card) An employment scheme allowing marginalized citizens on welfare or disability pension to earn up to 40,000 DKK annually without benefit reduction. Brugernes Akademi has approximately 25 workers using this scheme, primarily at Brugernes Pakkeri.
• Book et foredrag (Book a Lecture) Educational presentations and lectures delivered by the association's staff and peer workers on drug use, patient perspectives, addiction treatment, health inequality, and harm reduction, targeting educational institutions, healthcare professionals, and policymakers.
• Brugernes julekasse (Christmas Boxes) An annual initiative providing free Christmas food packages to current, former, and paused drug users across Denmark, containing traditional Christmas foods delivered by post.
• Fentanyl stoftest (Fentanyl Drug Test Strips) Fentanyl test strips enabling drug users to check whether their substances contain fentanyl. Sold in packs of 3 tests, free for private users.
• Nitazene stoftest (Nitazene Drug Test Strips) Nitazene test strips for detecting synthetic opioids in street drugs. Sold in packs of 3 tests, free for private users.
• Grå kanyle (Grey Injection Needle, box of 100) Grey injection needles sold in boxes of 100 units, provided free of charge to reduce needle sharing and infection transmission.
• 2 ml sprøjter (2 ml Syringes, box of 100) 2 ml syringes sold in boxes of 100 units for safer injection, provided free of charge via the Skadesreduktion på kasse mail-order service.
• Buttet crackpibe (Bulbous Crack Pipe) Bulbous crack pipes for safer smoking of crack cocaine, max 2 types of smoking equipment per order, free to users.
• Kanylespand 1,5 L (Sharps Container) 1.5 liter sharps containers for safe disposal of used needles and syringes, distributed free of charge via the Skadesreduktion på kasse mail-order service.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2546 packages sent in 2025, up 60% from 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brugernes PakkericoreOthers · 1 January 2022Subsidiary company established by Brugernes Akademi with support from Augustinus Fonden to pack and develop injection equipment and smoking kits for delivery to institutions nationwide. Employees work on social frikort scheme.
• Socialt Frikort VesterbrocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Partnership between Reden København, Brugernes Akademi, and Mændenes Hjem to develop the social frikort (social free card) scheme on Vesterbro, allowing vulnerable citizens to earn up to 40,000 DKK annually without affecting their benefits.
• Dokument 24minorOthersPartnership enabling donors to create free wills with bequests to Brugernes Akademi.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Release: UK charity providing drug-related legal advice, harm reduction, and policy advocacy. Comparable on the combination of user-led services, education, and policy influence.
• Mainline: Dutch harm reduction organization providing needle exchange, drug testing, and outreach to people who use drugs — a close operational analogue to Brugernes Akademi's mail-order and street outreach model.
• ProLAR Nett: Norwegian drug user union led by people with lived experience. Highly comparable peer-led advocacy and harm reduction model in a neighboring Nordic jurisdiction.
• HIT (Liverpool): Liverpool-based harm reduction charity delivering needle exchange, drug testing training, and outreach. Comparable peer on community-rooted harm reduction operations in Europe.
• Crew 2000: Scotland-based harm reduction charity providing drug checking services and harm reduction supplies. Closely comparable on the drug-testing / postal distribution offering.
• Fixpunkt: Berlin-based harm reduction organization operating mobile services and a drug consumption room. Direct peer on low-threshold health service delivery and street-level outreach for marginalized drug users.
• Brukarföreningen Stockholm: Swedish drug user association delivering peer-led support and advocacy in Stockholm. Strong peer on user-driven harm reduction and rights-based services in the Nordic region.
• FRI – Rus og Samfunn: Norwegian user organization advocating for drug policy reform and harm reduction. Comparable peer-led model focused on drug users' rights and services.

Broad incumbents

• A-klinikkasäätiö: Finnish foundation providing a broad portfolio of addiction services including outpatient clinics. Comparable Nordic incumbent working at greater scale across the substance use space.
• KABS Videncenter: Danish municipal drug treatment authority providing substitution treatment and counseling. Comparable Danish actor in the substance-use services space, though operating within the formal treatment system rather than as a user-led NGO.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/brugernes
• Facebookfacebook.com/brugernesakademi
• Instagraminstagram.com/brugernes.akademi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brugernes-akademi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Brugernes Akademi