Greater Copenhagen

With the construction of the Öresund Bridge, Copenhagen’s catchment area on the Swedish side has become increasingly extensive, leading to more intense relations between the two sides of the strait. Today, the Danish capital’s cross-border urban region has a population of 4.5 million, which will continue to grow with the dynamic expansion of Copenhagen and Malmö. The further development potential of the region can be exploited through cooperation between local (Danish and Swedish) actors. With this in mind, the Greater Copenhagen organization, which spans both sides of the strait, was established in 2016. The cooperation was established through the joint efforts of four regions (Halland, Hovedstaden, Sjælland and Skåne) and 85 municipalities with the aim of deepening relations between local authorities, businesses, public institutions and scientific institutions. The members aim to create a border region that is attractive to investors, ensures freedom of movement and employment for residents, maintains a common infrastructure, develops in line with sustainability principles, and provides the right conditions for expanding links between authorities, universities, and businesses. To achieve these goals, the organization works together on three main themes: green growth, a common labor market, and modern infrastructure. Progress on these themes is monitored through regular analyses. In order to maintain its strategic objectives, annual action plans are drawn up, detailing the basic services that the organization can provide to its members in the given year.

The Greater Copenhagen Committee comprises all 89 members (municipalities and regions), but joint decisions are taken by a smaller group, the Executive Board, which is made up of committee members. A total of 18 people can be delegated to this organization, half of whom are appointed by the Danish regions of Hovedstaden and Sjælland, and the other half by the Swedish regions of Halland and Skåne. In justified cases, other actors (e.g. representatives of businesses or educational institutions) may be invited to participate in the Executive Board as observers without voting rights. The Executive Board meets at least four times a year and decides by simple majority on the action plan, the annual report and the budget. All 18 members have equal voting rights, and in the event of a tie, the chair has a casting vote. Half of the members must be present for the board to be quorate. The board elects its own chair and spokesperson, both for a two-year term.

The second main body is the Presidium, which consists of five members. These include the chair of the Board of Directors, the mayor of Copenhagen, and three other members of the Board of Directors. When selecting members, care must be taken to ensure that all four regions are represented. The geographical criterion also applies to the leadership position, as representatives of the same nationality cannot be elected to the Presidency in succession. The Presidency is responsible for preparing the meetings of the Board of Directors and consulting with the chair of the Steering Committee.

If the Board of Directors needs advice on certain issues, special working groups may be set up. However, the mandate of these working groups may only be for a predetermined period.

The organization shall ensure the implementation of the decisions taken by the Board of Directors by setting up a Steering Committee. Its members shall be officers, reflecting the composition of the Board of Directors. The Steering Committee elects its own chair and vice-chair, whose tasks are to communicate with the Presidency and implement the decisions of the Board of Directors. The work of the Steering Committee is assisted by a coordination group, whose members come from the organizations represented on the Board of Directors. The coordination group meets at least once a month.

However, the main coordination tasks are carried out by the Secretariat based in Copenhagen. Its tasks include supporting the work of the entire Committee, preparing consultations, leading the coordination group, organizing at least one conference per year, and managing the Committee’s budget. The staff of the Secretariat is appointed by the head of the Secretariat, who is in turn appointed by the Steering Committee.