Lolland Municipality has for several years put great effort into attracting international immigrants. The Municipality has worked strategically with the reception of new international citizens.
The efforts vary from the establishment of Denmark’s first international elementary school to a host of communication initiatives.
Still, international consultant at Lolland Municipality, Martina Mostad, would rather not take too much credit for Lolland’s ability to attract internationals.
The construction of the Fehmarn Tunnel has drawn a lot of attention, further Lolland has got a strong international community “as a gift”.
“Lolland Municipality does a lot to attract and welcome international residents to the area, but at the same time, we are fortunate to have International Community Lolland-Falster (ICLF), a network that does a lot for internationals arriving on Lolland – we work very well together,” says Martina Mostad, when Copenhagen Post asks what the “secret sauce” is behind Lolland’s success in attracting internationals to the region.
In 10 years, the proportion of employees from abroad has increased significantly in companies on Lolland-Falster, and there has been a tripling of foreign employees, according to an analysis from DI Dansk Industri at the end of 2023.
More than 3,300 international employees are employed in companies on Lolland-Falster, a tripling in 10 years.
Spending money only part of the solution
When we get Candice Progler-Thomsen on the line, it becomes clear that there is not just one recipe for creating a place for internationals to thrive. Several things need to happen to make it successful.
“2/3 of internationals leave Denmark within five years. We must make it worth their while to come here, and we have to make internationals feel welcome,” says Progler-Thomsen, who in 2021 established the voluntary ICLF.
Today, the Facebook page has over 1,400 members.
Progler-Thomsen notes that it is fine for Danish authorities to allocate funds to onboard internationals, but spending money is only part of the task
”It will not matter if you do not have a proper reception and interest in internationals’ lives. Remember, they are taking a huge chance to move here. We must take good care of them, so they like being here, are happy here, feel a sense of belonging, and thrive here,” says Progler-Thomsen and adds:
“This will naturally motivate them to speak positively about and promote Denmark through word of mouth, so that other internationals will be more interested and willing to come – and stay!”
An attractive school offer is important, as it will often determine whether expat families choose to stay in Denmark for a longer period, or for expats to stay here, start their families, and raise their family on Lolland and in Denmark.
Without academic progress that is on par with their cultural expectations and standards in their home country, as well as the well-being of their children, it is impossible.
Lolland has the Lolland International School in Maribo which is run bilingually with Danish and English. A well-run school with approximately 200 students.
Job to Partner
Still, there are hurdles for the accompanying partners of international skilled-work migrants, particularly those from non-EU backgrounds, whose work experience or education is often not regarded as highly, simply because it is considered distant or less familiar.
In recognition of those difficulties, Lolland Municipality launched a new support package for accompanying spouses of international employees.
Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses
The ‘job-to-partner package’, aimed at spouses of employees based in Lolland, comprises personal guidance on job hunting in Denmark, language training, networking opportunities and development of a personal job search strategy.
Lolland Municipality is home to several large Danish employers including Vestas, Scandlines, Lalandia, and Denmark’s largest infrastructure project, the new Fehmarnbelt tunnel connecting Denmark and Germany.
Social events where you can make friends
If you don’t feel at home, feel welcome, there is a much greater likelihood that you as an international will move on. Loneliness is a problem, also for Danes
“But it is even harder for internationals who don’t know people, don’t understand public transport and the social codes, it is difficult for a stranger to understand,” says Candice Progler-Thomsen.
ICLF holds social events about once a month. It can be shared meals, scavenger hunts for international residents to get to know Lolland better, and other cultural activities.
Most internationals have moved because of work, e.g. to work on the Fehmarn Tunnel or Vestas). The companies are good at receiving their employees and families. They help their employees with housing, Progler-Thomsen points out.
Maturation efforts have worked
“For many, it is their first stay abroad. There are people who move here, but it is probably not here that most people will settle. It isn’t only finding suitable employment for partners, but the children’s needs and parent’s expectations for school and education that often determine the future,” she says.
Regardless of whether you relocate to Lolland for a shorter or longer period, everything indicates that companies will continue to have a great need for labor.
International consultant Martina Mostad notes that the Lalandia water park used to only have Danish-speaking staff, but now they will consider hiring internationals.
“In municipalities, we organize afternoon meetings and events. We are convinced that international labor is the way to go. Our maturation efforts have worked. Take Lalandia, they are missing seasonal workers. Now they have created a recruitment portal in English.”
If you want to know more about the opportunities on Lolland, you can read more here.
