Folk High schools in Denmark emerged in the middle of the 19th century and provided a space for learning and self-development to seeking souls, especially for the farmers. The folk high school movement drew inspiration from Grundtvig, a pastor, poet and a visionary. Kristen Kold who came from a humble background pioneered the folk high schools which inspired many people's movements including the Danish cooperative movements. These quickly spread to other Scandinavian societies also. Over the years it has spread to other parts of the world and it is now part of an alternative global heritage of learning, self-cultivation and social transformation.