Last Week in Denmark (30.01 - 06.02) Episode 4 Year 2
Opportunities for small businesses! Foreign and security policy; How to choose an insurance company
Editor HQ
“Last Week in Denmark” has been welcomed into the International House Esbjerg.
For time-sensitive information (like the storm in the weekend) follow our Telegram channel and/or Facebook page.
Call to action: At the start of this year, we had an attempt to launch a live show/podcast called “Home in Denmark”. The attempt failed as we lost our invited expert one day before. That situation made us realize that we need more people involved in this project :) So, if anyone wants to spend some free time playing producer, host, graphic designer, audio engineer, researcher, etc. please complete this application.
Danish Politics HQ
The political game
The elections are coming: In Denmark, the prime minister has the power to call for new parliamentary elections, before the 4 years period has elapsed. Traditionally, there are two prime minister candidates, one from the “red block” and one from the “blue block”. While Mette Frederiksen (Social Democrat Party) is clearly the “red block” candidate, the “blue block” still hasn’t been decided.
The “blue block” candidate: Usually, the largest party within the “blue block” gave the prime minister candidate. At the moment, we have two potential prime minister candidates from the “blue block”, Jakob Ellemann-Jensen (Venstre - Liberal Party) and Søren Pape Poulsen (Conservative Party). Who will emerge victorious to challenge Mette? Remains to be seen in the next editions.
The transport minister, Benny Engelbrecht, has resigned after it was revealed that he intentionally chose to not present certain climate calculations during the negotiations for the new infrastructure plan.
DI vs. FH over the corona pass: At the moment, employers are allowed to request a corona pass from their workers, regardless that the pandemic restrictions have been lifted. The trade unions (FH) are not happy with that, as they feel the worker freedom is being limited.
New laws and strategies
Denmark’s new foreign and security policy strategy: Closer to the European Union; contribute for a stronger NATO and deeper involvement in the United Nations. The strategy presents the United States as Denmark’s most important ally.
Value Diplomacy: A strong voice for Denmark in the world
Support for sanctions inside the European Union for states that go against European values.
Investments in the Danish military for a stronger NATO.
Denmark wants to be part of the United Nations Security Council.
Safety Diplomacy: A more secure world that creates safety for Danes
Closer ties with Greenland and Faroe Islands.
Investments in counter-espionage.
Control of foreign investments in Denmark.
Energy independence from Russia.
Climate Diplomacy: Denmark as a green superpower
New green partnerships with South Africa and Vietnam.
Stronger ties with India, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Indonesia.
Reduction of 55% until 2030 in greenhouse emissions in the European Union.
Migration Diplomacy: Prevent illegal migration
Closer relationship with North African countries.
Economic support to European neighbourhood areas.
More efforts in sending illegal migrants back home.
Economic Diplomacy: More Danish exports
Export of green solutions and technologies.
End the practice of “social dumping” in Europe (when you bring workers from another state that are willing to work for a lower wage).
Stronger cybersecurity protection.
New adoption rules: If you want to adopt a child, you can now sign up for both the list with children from Denmark and the list with children from abroad. Before, you had to choose one of them. Why the change? The number of children that need to be adopted in Denmark is rising, while the number of potential parents is declining. If you want to adopt a child, you can read the rules here (in English).
Begging in Denmark: The Danish Supreme Court decided that it is not a violation of human rights, when you get 14 days of prison for begging. Obs.! Begging is illegal in Denmark.
Law proposals
New media strategy: The ministry of culture, Ane Halsboe, has proposed a series of initiatives in the media sector. The government proposal will be negotiated with the other parties until a majority support is found.
Streaming platforms (like Netflix) will have to pay a 5% cultural tax from the revenue made in Denmark. The new tax will fund the production of Danish movies.
A new centre called “Tech and Democracy” will be established to create more knowledge on the social media platforms' effects on democracy and freedom of speech.
Financial support to initiatives that fact-check information.
Public grants for radio and podcast content.
Financial support for local and regional media.
Danish Economy HQ
Opportunities for small and medium businesses (EU-funded)
SMV:Vækstpilot - Hire a “growth pilot” that can help your company towards digitalization, green transition or internationalization. For 6 months, 50% of the salary will be covered by this program.
SMV:Grøn - Apply until 18th February for grants between 50,000 and 150,000 dkk to develop your “green idea”. Use the money for consulting, competence development and investments in equipment, etc.
SMV:Digital - Apply for a grant of 25,000 dkk for private counseling (if you think your company can benefit from digitalization, automation or e-commerce). There are also grants for competence development, digital bookkeeping and investments in equipment (up to 250,000 dkk).
SMV:Eksport - Support for exporting your services/products.
Unemployment at 2,5%: 70,900 unemployed people in Denmark. A historically low number of unemployed people (lowest figure since 2008). 9,400 got out of unemployment in December 2021.
New campaign against discrimination at the workplace: The Danish Working Environment Authority launched a campaign that focuses on abuse experienced at work because of your ethnic background. If you are in such a situation, read this help guide. Obs.! Discrimination at the workplace because of ethnic background is illegal.
Resistance to a cashless society: The coffee chain “Original Coffee” has been reported to the police by the Consumer Ombudsman. Why? Several customers have complained that they couldn’t pay with cash. And? Well, it seems that is against the law.
Danish Tinder app: During the corona lockdown, a student from CBS created an app for double dating called “Doubble”. Today, the app reached a value of 10 million dkk and is ready to challenge Tinder.
Companies looking for skilled workers: 46% of the construction companies need more workforce. For example - NCO Byg (Aars) needs masons and concrete workers; Øgaard A/ S (Farsø) and KT Electric (Aalborg) need electricians.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
After the Malik storm: Stormrådet (The Storm Council) announced which parts of Denmark have been affected by the floods. If you live there, you can apply for compensation for the damages made by the flood. Report the damage to the insurance company no later than 1st April 2022.
Recycling updates: As we have announced last year, the government wants us to sort our waste into 10 fractions. (Food waste; Metal; Glass; Plastic; Paper; Cloth; Dirty carton; Dangerous waste; Clean carton; Other waste) The municipalities are in the process of implementing this directive. To support the transition, the environment ministry launched a new campaign.
Treatment testament: If you do not want to be resuscitated in case of a heart attack or you want doctors to follow certain rules of treatment when you are incapacitated (unable to make a decision), then you can make a will on sunhed.dk. 17,000 people made such a will last year.
Reminder from the Council of Traffic Safety: It is mandatory (since January 2022) to wear a helmet when you ride an electric scooter. Already, hundreds of people have received a fine of 1500 dkk for not complying with the new law.
Traffic info: The Danish Road Directorate has an online service called Trafikinfo.dk, which you can use to stay updated on the traffic conditions around Denmark (closed roads, alternative routes, etc.). 1.7 million people used the website in 2021.
European Union HQ
EU Taxonomy Act: According to the European Commission, nuclear energy and natural gas will be considered “transitional energy”, therefore labeled green. This means that projects of new nuclear power plants could be qualified as “green” until the year 2045.
Opposition to the EU Taxonomy Act: Austria, Luxembourg, Denmark and Spain disagree with labeling nuclear energy and natural gas as “green” and will sue the European Commission. Environmental groups also see this as a threat to the climate objectives set by the EU.
Parliamentary elections in Portugal: The Socialist Party (PS) won the elections with 41,7% of the votes. António Costa will continue as prime minister. “CHEGA” (the Portuguese version of DF and NB) has obtained 7,2% of votes.
Presidential elections in Italy: Sergio Mattarella will continue as president of Italy for another term. The president is elected by the members of the Italian parliament and regional representatives.
Win a trip to Strasbourg: Six randomly picked winners will get an all-costs covered trip to Strasbourg (France), where they will be invited to attend a plenary session of the European Parliament. Anyone from the European Union over 18 years old can participate. Winners will be announced on 28th March.
Sign up on the together.eu platform.
Press on “Register” here.
Invite one person until the 25th of March to the platform with your referral link.
Win 7,500 euro and a trip to Aachen: Young people (16 to 30 years old) can submit a project they have done in 2021 for the competition “European Charlemagne Youth Prize”. One project will be chosen from each EU member state. The project needs to be about promoting European identity and integration. Deadline: 13th February.
Young European of the Year: Nominate a young person (18 to 26 years old) that deserves to win the award “Young European of the Year”, for efforts against injustice and discrimination in 2021. Deadline: 20th February
World’s story of the week
The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics started on Friday (4th February). We can watch the best skiers, skaters, curling players and ice hockey teams fight for the world title until 20th February. 91 nations will participate (Haiti and Saudi Arabia for the first time).
Beijing (China) is the first city in the world to have hosted both Summer and Winter Olympics. They obtained the right to host the Winter Olympics in 2015, after getting more votes than Almaty (Kazakhstan). The cost of the Winter Olympics is almost 4 billion euros.
China’s human rights violations (the Uyghur genocide and the oppression of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists) has led to diplomatic boycott from several nations (Lithuania, USA, Denmark, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Belgium, Estonia, Kosovo and Taiwan). This means that no heads of state or representatives will be present from those countries, only athletes. The human rights organizations are calling this edition of Winter Olympics, the “Genocide Games”. The Chinese media already announced that the “boycott countries” will be sanctioned.
You can see the Winter Olympics on DR and TV2.
Focus: How to choose an insurance company?
Once you buy your first car or your first house, you meet the necessity of buying insurance. Immediately, you will be targeted by dozens of insurance companies, ready to dazzle you into becoming their customer. Unfortunately, many times you end up buying more expensive insurance than you actually need.
Our suggestion is to use an online tool created by the Consumer Council, that helps you compare prices between the different insurances. Even if you already have insurance, you should check it. You might save a few hundred dkk every month.
NB! Let us know what you would like to read in this category (maybe a series on the different types of insurance or other subjects you want us to research).
Stories from our community
Places
In Horsens, we discovered an amazing Polish café and store, called Babunia.
People
The president of the Danish Refugee Council, Children’s Council and “Home to all” alliance is the Hungarian Agi Csonka.
Karmen Rõivassepp is an Estonian jazz singer and composer based in Aarhus.
The French conductor, Marie Jacquot, has been appointed as chief conductor of the Royal Danish Theater. The 31-year old is one of the most talented conductors in the world.
72-year old Henny Sidelmann has been appointed as honorary consul of Lithuania. She is the only consul based in Holstebro. Her task is to expand Lithuania’s cultural profile in West Jutland and serve as a guide for Lithuanian citizens living in that area.
Projects
“Newcomer buddy” project: In Esbjerg, the “Newcomer Service” is running a project (for 5 years now) where they match local associations/clubs with newcomers. Approx. 100 clubs and organizations have signed up. Each club/association has an assigned person that helps the newcomer to get integrated.
“Rotating Leisure” project: Also in Esbjerg, also run by the “Newcomer Service”. The idea is similar to a “college rush” where internationals go together to try out different local clubs, to see what clicks with them.
SOSU course for internationals: At SOSU Nykøbing Falster, you can join a seven-month course that will prepare you for a SOSU education. The participants go through intensive Danish language lessons and an introduction to nursing and care. Requirements: Danskprøve 2
Experiment in Lemvig: Jobcenter Lemvig created a free Danish language course for internationals employed in the area. The purpose of the course is to encourage worker retention and convince people to stay in Lemvig.