Beyond the workplace: New project aims to make Aarhus feel more like home for international talent

Over the next three years, Erhverv Aarhus will work to strengthen international employees’ and their families’ connection to Aarhus by building bridges between workplaces and civil society.

How do you strengthen wellbeing and a sense of belonging to the local community when you don’t have Danish roots? This question is at the heart of a new project in which Erhverv Aarhus, together with DGI Østjylland, Frivilligcenter Aarhus and FriSe, will help more internationals find their way into the many communities and opportunities offered by civil society across in Aarhus.

Thanks to a DKK 3.9 million grant from Velliv Foreningen, Erhverv Aarhus is launching the project INTEGRATE, which will run from February 2027 to December 2029.

Helle Bastrup, Head of International Talent and Relations at Erhverv Aarhus, says:

“If international newcomers are to thrive and want to stay in Aarhus, it is essential that they have the opportunity to build a network. This is where local associations play a key role – because if you want to get to know us Danes, that is often where you will find us after 4 pm. That is why the INTEGRATE project is important, and together with strong partners, we look forward to creating even better conditions for wellbeing, community and integration among international citizens in Aarhus.”

Several studies indicate that life outside the workplace plays an important role in whether international employees choose to stay in Denmark. Thus, INTEGRATE is focused on developing tools for companies that make it easier for them to support their employees in becoming part of meaningful communities outside of work.

A strong partnership will build bridges between businesses and civil society

Together with the project partners, Erhverv Aarhus will develop and test new approaches to building bridges between companies, international employees and specific local leisure activities, associations and communities.

Over the course of three years, these approaches will be developed and tested in collaboration with 15 companies and more than 30 associations. The ambition is to turn the experience gained in Aarhus into practical tools that can subsequently be used by companies and civil society organisations across Denmark.

INTEGRATE builds on valuable experience from the BELONG project, in which Erhverv Aarhus participates together with Dansk Industri and Human House, with support from Velliv Foreningen. 

While BELONG focuses on inclusion and wellbeing in the workplace, INTEGRATE broadens the perspective to include life outside working hours.

Is your company interested in taking part?

INTEGRATE will run company programmes from 2027 to 2029. If you would like to learn more about the project or the opportunities to participate, please contact Nanna Strandberg at nst@erhvervaarhus.dk or +45 30 14 88 91.