Agenda

Welcome to the 2024 edition of the OECD Local Development Forum!

Part I: Greater Copenhagen (10.00-10.45) Part II: Other international experiences (10.45-11.30) Within the European Union alone, approximately 150 million people live in cross-border regions. Accordingly, how to work more effectively across borders to deliver economic and social returns for residents on both sides is not a niche issue. This session will take a deep dive into the unique story of Greater Copenhagen and extract valuable lessons from other cross-border regions across the OECD.

During this session, participants will have the opportunity to network with each other and representatives of local programmes and initiatives from Greater Copenhagen and beyond.

Given that local development operates over longer time frames, broader geographies, and with wider institutional collaboration than typical for local government services or political cycles, a wide range of local leaders are needed, how can the leadership dividend for place transformation best be seized? What happens when the “targets” of development policies become a proactive agent of local development? This deep dive will bring together practical experiences and the latest international research to explore how to make the most of local leadership to support economic and social transformation in places.

Large scale infrastructure and investment projects can be important sparks for local development, as the experience of the Greater Copenhagen region and the Øresund Bridge exemplifies. Scheduled for completion in 2029, the Fehmarnbelt fixed link will significantly reduce travel time between Scandinavia and mainland Europe. From upskilling local workforces to fostering cross-border cooperation, this deep dive examines strategies to enhance socio-economic value and drive local development.

This deep dive will engage experts from various EU cross-border regions to discuss and share best practices on how information-sharing and coordination of employment and skills policies can enhance labour mobility in cross-border regions. The deep dive will include presentations on existing initiatives to coordinate employment services in the Meuse-Rhine Region, the Greater Region and the Austria/Germany cross-border regions and participants will discuss potential learnings for the Greater Copenhagen region and beyond. The workshop is organised as part of the project “Mobility and integrated labour market for third-country nationals (TCNs) in Greater Copenhagen” which is financed by the European Commission’s Directorate for Structural Reform Support and is delivered by the OECD.

Yalla Trappan stands out as a distinctive social enterprise and women's cooperative established in Malmö in 2010. With a focus on integrating immigrant women into the workforce, their mission revolves around creating employment opportunities and fostering economic independence. Their diverse range of services includes catering, lunch restaurants, cleaning service, tailoring, mentorships and development projects. Yalla Trappan focuses on fostering social sustainability, gender equality, and empowerment for women. During this study tour, get to know Yalla Trappan, learn about the Rosengård area's background, discover their activities, collaboration efforts, and methods for workforce integration. Additionally, you can meet some of the staff members who will share their own stories.

Established by the City of Malmö in 2002, Minc stands as one of Scandinavia's pioneering startup incubator programs. Amidst the aftermath of the dot-com bubble and ahead of the emergence of new internet giants, Minc provided a platform for countless entrepreneurs over two decades, fostering innovation with a positive global impact. From pioneering AI-based mental illness diagnostics to fostering the largest Arabic-speaking community specializing in national affairs, Minc's entrepreneurs have left an indelible mark. Their innovations contributed to uncovering the Panama Papers and even included the development of facial recognition technology for Apple. Discover MINC's story through This is Minc - featuring Daniel Persson, CEO at MINC. Then, delve into their programs with Dennis Åström, Program Lead at MINC. Explore their investment funds with Ida Herbertsson, Portfolio Manager at MINC. Finally, meet their startups and alumni.

The Øresund Bridge invites you to participate in distinguished study visit to Peberholm, with a focused exploration of environmental sustainability and ecology. Situated in Oresund strait, Peberholm is an artificial island that stands as a testament to innovative infrastructure, ecological enhancement, and bold political resolutions. Created as a part of the Øresund Bridge establishment, the island has a unique biodiversity protected from public visits or human intervention. Hence the opportunity to visit Peberholm is truly exceptional. Throughout the visit, our experts will offer a deep dive into the intricate dynamics between human development and environmental preservation. From examining the island's rich biodiversity to unraveling the sustainable methodologies underpinning its creation and conservation, the visit promises invaluable insights for decision-makers and practitioners alike

During this session, participants will have the opportunity to network with each other and representatives of local programmes and initiatives from Greater Copenhagen and beyond.

Welcome to Day 2 by Henrik Fredborg Larsen, Director, UNDP Nordic Representation Office. Roundtable with young social entrepreneurs.

In an era when both accelerating the green transition and making our economies and societies more inclusive are paramount, are there win-win solutions? Join policymakers, thought leaders and changemakers to examine the strategies and partnerships that can help international hot spots of green innovation better deliver on environmental, economic and social returns.

During this session, participants will have the opportunity to network with each other and representatives of local programmes and initiatives from Greater Copenhagen and beyond.

Through their professional and personal choices, youth are at the forefront of driving the just transition towards a more equitable and sustainable future. Yet, they are also the ones who are most directly facing the uncertainty that the future may bring, from the impacts of climate change to how AI will change the jobs of the future. This deep dive will explore how young people can help drive forward the just transition, from how to unleash their full potential as green job creators, to how to help more disadvantaged young people overcome barriers to filling these jobs.

As unemployment rates in the OECD reach lows not seen in decades, employers are facing increasing challenges in recruitment. These challenges are especially acute in some sectors and places. At the same time, the accelerating green transition, and rapid technological innovation, such as generative AI, are creating new challenges and opportunities. Join policymakers, businesses, and community stakeholders to explore this evolving landscape and local strategies for managing these shortages over the long-term.

If the only constant is change, what can be done to equip our communities for the changes we know are on the horizon, as well as those that may catch us by surprise? Hear from policymakers, practitioners and thought leaders on what we already know about how to manage transitions at different levels -- communities, companies and careers -- and how these lessons may, or may not, apply in the future.

Havhøst means “Ocean harvest” and that is exactly what we do. All over Denmark communities have come together to create small scale, non-commercial ocean farms where they grow mussels, seaweed and oysters and promote their love for the ocean and the importance of taking care of it. Havhøst supports and promotes these initiatives and paves the way for new ones to form. Since 2013 we have operated a small demonstration farm in the harbour of Copenhagen - “Bølgemarken” (the wave field), creating a platform for the public to experience the potential of this way of producing sustainable food. This is also where we invite local schools to learn about the marine environment and sustainable food production. Visit our harbour farm in the middle of Copenhagen and get the full story of how we grow mussels and seaweed, and how a crazy idea turned into a national movement. Witness when we harvest the crops and demonstrate what a day in the life of an ocean farmer looks like.