Mobility and integrated labour market for third-country nationals in Greater Copenhagen

The Commission support the identification of ways to increase cross-border labour market inclusion of third-country nationals in the Greater Copenhagen Region. The project will strengthen the capacity of the beneficiary administrations in the Capital Region of Denmark and Region Scania to analyse existing barriers to cross-border labour market integration and develop policies and measures that can help overcome these.

Context

Over the last two decades, the Greater Copenhagen Region, which is the cross-border region between Denmark and Sweden, has become an essential hub for economic activity and development in Scandinavia. Despite the positive developments, the region faces long-term labour market challenges resulting from globalisation, demographic changes, and the green and digital transition. The region faces increasing labour and skills shortages, particularly in the construction, services, health and care, and green sectors, while unemployment especially in the Swedish border regions is high for some groups. Stronger cross-border labour market inclusion could support the region in overcoming these challenges and achieving long-term sustainable growth. The full potential of cross-border commuting is not exhausted, and several barriers remain – especially for third-country nationals. Due to legislative, regulatory, and administrative barriers, third-country nationals have limited options to take up work across the border and employers have limited options to recruit them.

Support to be delivered

The project provide support to the beneficiary administrations in the following areas:

• Analysis and recommendations on ways to overcome legislative, regulatory and administrative barriers to cross-border labour market inclusion of third-country nationals.
• Analysis and recommendations on ways to improve information-sharing and coordination of employment and skills policies in the Greater Copenhagen Region.
• Proposal for a long-term strategy on cross-border labour market inclusion of third-country nationals in the Greater Copenhagen Region.

The project will analyse the current situation in Denmark and Sweden, as well as good practices from other European cross-border regions and facilitate national and international knowledge-sharing.  

Results achieved

The project is expected to strengthen the capacity of Danish and Swedish regional authorities in the Greater Copenhagen Region to identify, analyse and take action to overcome barriers to cross-border labour market integration for third country nationals. Achieving stronger cross-border labour market integration in particular of TCNs will allow the four regions of Greater Copenhagen in overcoming challenges with labour and skills shortages and achieve long-term sustainable growth, including by meeting the ambitions of the European Green deal that both countries have committed to.