ABOUT US


Paideia Folkhögskola is a meeting place for learning, thinking and creativity, welcoming people of all backgrounds, cultures, and religious beliefs, which strengthens our vision to contribute to an open dialogue about issues that affect and inform contemporary society, religion and culture.

Paideia Folkhögskola is a civic educational institute with a distinctive Jewish cultural profile and the overall objective is to give a civic education, in addition to enhancing and developing each individual’s personal growth and resources. A “Folkhögskola” is a uniquely Nordic concept, inherently difficult to translate. We have chosen the term “Cultural College”.  The first cultural colleges in Sweden were established in 1868, and there are currently 156 colleges in Sweden, forming an established part of the Swedish educational system. In 2019 Paideia completed a three-year process to become a fully independent cultural college.  

Paideia Folkhögskola is Sweden’s first cultural college with a Jewish profile.  We have a unique relationship and cooperation with Kista Folkhögskola – Sweden’s only cultural college with a Muslim profile.  The partnership between a Jewish cultural college and a Muslim cultural college models the importance of different minorities meeting, learning from each other and working together.

Paideia Folkhögskola contributes in strengthening Jewish cultural education in Sweden through the Jewish profile courses we offer.  With a pluralistic approach to Jewish thought, Paideia aims to inspire and create a stronger foundation for the growth of Jewish life and culture in Sweden.

Paideia Folkhögskola is located in a beautiful and central location in Stockholm, allowing for easy access to everything Stockholm has to offer, including school field trips, museums, film, theater, and exciting collaboration with partner organizations and institutions.

Financing
Paideia Folkhögskola receives state support from The Swedish National Council of Adult Education and support from the County of Stockholm. In addition, Paideia Folkhögskola has received generous support from The Sophie and Eduard Heckscher Foundation, The Clas Groshinsky Memorial Fund, The Gertrude and Ivar Philipson Foundation, The Annika and Gabriel Urwitz’ Foundation and The Gunilla and Werner Guter Foundation. Furthermore, many individuals have also supported the activities of Paideia Folkhögskola.

Partnerships and collaborations
Paideia Folkhögskola is a partner institution with Paideia, The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden and Kista Folkhögskola. We collaborate with the Jewish communities in Stockholm, Malmö and Göteborg, in addition to The Swedish History Museum, ABF Stockholm, Hagaberg Folkhögskola, St. Birgitta Folkhögskola and St. Ignatios Folkhögskola.