Without a single job posting, the new residential and neurorehabilitation centre for people with acquired brain injuries, Møn Bakkeby, which opens its doors to the first residents on Monday, 10 November 2025, has been flooded with applications. At a time when many companies are struggling to find staff, the high level of interest has come as something of a surprise to the team behind the new centre. But if you look at current recruitment studies, there is a good explanation.
The first phase of Møn Bakkeby will need just under 50 employees, counting full-time, part-time, and various roles. Once phase two has been completed, and there is room for a total of 48 residents, it will be a workplace with around 100 employees.
“For a year ago, I would have said it would be a huge challenge to find that many qualified people. I thought: ‘Good grief, this will be difficult.’ After all, they would have to move here, and so on,” says Krista Steffensen from the Liselund Fontænen foundation, who is one of the driving forces behind the establishment of Møn Bakkeby.
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“that Means We Break with the Idea of Merely Warehousing and Parking Young People with Potential.”
Krista Steffensen
| Liselund Fontænen
Krista and Steffen Steffensen are the parents of Nikolaj Steffensen, who is the developer of Møn Bakkeby, an innovative independent care home for young people with acquired brain injuries aged 18–45. The first residents will move in in November 2025, and Nikolaj Steffensen will be among the first. Photo: Business Vordingborg.
Away from Warehousing and Parking
Krista Steffensen is also the mother of the developer, Nikolaj Steffensen, who sustained a brain injury in a car accident when he was 22. He will be one of the first residents to move in.
“Our experience—and unfortunately the experience in many parts of the system—is that young people with brain injuries are simply warehoused and parked. There are no ambitions on their behalf. At the place where Nikolaj has lived in recent years, he has completely withered. He is left alone with his computer and eats his meals by himself. There are no cognitive challenges, and social interaction is virtually absent. It is heartbreaking to see a young person with potential, humor, and intellect merely being maintained instead of living,” says Krista Steffensen.
Rooted in the Danish Folk High School Tradition
Møn Bakkeby stands for the opposite of warehousing and passive care. The new residence combines evidence-based neuro-pedagogy and neurorehabilitation with the Danish folk high school tradition to create community and a dignified life for residents. The project also radiates values such as sustainability and aesthetics.
“The entire foundation is built on the Grundtvigian folk high school philosophy, which sets us markedly apart from other places. That means we break with the idea of merely warehousing and parking young people with potential. Our residents should want to be part of a community and be ready to develop,” says Krista Steffensen.
The Apartments are Separate from the Community Building
At the heart is ‘Højskolen’, a separate building where residents gather for meals, morning songs, conversations, exercise, music, and social activities. Each resident will have a 50 m² apartment, and simply having to move from the apartment to ‘Højskolen’ and back several times a day is part of the physical and cognitive training. Community and improved quality of life are absolutely central.
“It’s a place where you’re not left to your own devices. People develop best in interaction with others, and that’s why ‘The Folk High School’ isn’t just a building. It’s a mindset that permeates everyday life for both residents and staff,” says Krista Steffensen.
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“many People are Excited by the Idea of Being Able to Put Their Own Stamp on a Workplace from the Start.”
Krista Steffensen
| Liselund Fontænen
Møn Bakkeby is being built in a Dark Sky-certified area, and therefore all skylights are designed so that only side light emerges in the evening and no upward-directed light. For example, here in the common hall in ‘The Folk High School’. Image: Møn Bakkeby/Front Architects
Making your Mark on your Workplace
Krista Steffensen herself is not directly involved in recruiting the many new employees.
“Our principal, who reviews the applications, says there are incredibly qualified people among them. It’s a really impressive and broad field, covering everything from cleaning staff and therapists to healthcare assistants and nurses. It’s clear that the concept appeals broadly,” says Krista Steffensen, who also has some ideas about what makes it so attractive:
“I’m absolutely certain that the overwhelming interest is because we’re offering people the chance to be part of creating something completely new and groundbreaking. Møn Bakkeby is a concept that has never been seen before anywhere in the world. Many people are excited by the idea of being able to put their own stamp on a workplace from the start. It gives a sense of ownership and purpose, and people want to be part of a story about development and innovation,” says Krista Steffensen.
And then there’s the matter of flexibility.
“Although a workplace like Møn Bakkeby depends on people showing up at specific times to cover shifts, flexibility is incredibly important. We deliberately strive to create a flexible workplace where different forms of employment are possible. This could be part-time, reduced hours, and other individual solutions. We have to recognize that people no longer just want to clock in and out at fixed times. Employees have different needs and wishes for their work life. It’s about adapting to a modern work culture where work-life balance is paramount, and we’ve incorporated this into our organization from the start,” explains Krista Steffensen.
This approach exactly matches what Danish employees are looking for. A Nordic report from the analysis institute Verian prepared for If Insurance from 2025 shows that flexible work is the most important factor for an attractive workplace for 58 percent of Danes. Salary only comes in fourth place at 33 percent.
At the same time, the recruitment and branding agency Ballisager’s “Candidate Analysis 2025” supports the value of co-influence. It shows that flexible working hours and work-life balance are the third most important factor for job seekers, while the opportunity to have influence is weighted almost as highly, especially among highly educated professionals.
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“This just shows that when you offer a meaningful and exciting concept, the talented candidates are out there.”
Krista Steffensen
| Liselund Fontænen
A year ago, Krista Steffensen was worried whether Møn Bakkeby could find enough employees. In the first phase, nearly 50 employees need to be hired. When the center is fully developed, it will be a large workplace with around 100 employees. Photo: Business Vordingborg
The Talented Employees are out There
For Krista Steffensen, the overwhelming interest and the many unsolicited applications have removed any doubt about attracting employees. As Møn Bakkeby grows to the expected 100 employees after the second phase, she is no longer worried about finding the right people.
“Now I don’t think it will be a problem at all,” she says. “This just shows that when you offer a meaningful and exciting concept, the talented candidates are out there.”
