Hillerød Municipality's International Strategy

Introduction

Hillerød Municipality must provide high-quality service to its citizens and businesses. Increased quality requires inspiration from other towns in Denmark, and increasingly, also from towns in Europe and the rest of the world. Accordingly, Hillerød Municipality is enhancing its international engagement via both national and international networks, and is participating in EU experience exchange projects to with a view to improving task performance.

Hillerød Municipality is also taking part in the formation of a national network for international co-operation, and the municipality enters into co-operation with other European towns where it is beneficial to do so.

The purpose of the international co-operation is:

• to help to enhance the staff's personal and professional skills via international co-operation
• to strengthen the municipality's professional development in the areas of both policy and administration
• to utilise the knowledge and experience of Hillerød Municipality as an element in democratisation and development projects in other parts of the world
• to strengthen international understanding and make use of international professional relations, with special attention to those areas of the world which are represented by significant population groups in Hillerød
• to create a foundation for commercial development and knowledge-sharing within the fields of education, culture and public service
• to apply global experience gained from other welfare models and contribute to the development of new welfare models.

The international work of Hillerød Municipality must focus on:

• learning, influence, development and growth 
• international understanding among citizens and staff
• the global labour market, equal opportunities, social services and the involvement of voluntary organisations
• the development of an internationally-oriented regional capital  

This will be achieved through:

• active co-operation with the other regional capitals and the largest municipalities in Denmark
• the participation of politicians and staff in international activities, enabling staff and politicians to provide inspiration and contribute to development in other countries and/or in Hillerød Municipality
• shorter or longer partnerships with private companies, organisations and other public authorities and institutions in Denmark and abroad, in order to implement specific international initiatives and projects
• involvement of the international dimension in the municipality's personnel policy
• informing institutions concerning EU initiatives which have or will come to have a bearing on the municipality/institution
• providing information and advice to persons interested in participating in international co-operative projects, including information on funding possibilities, advice and exchange of experience in connection with project start-ups. (Advice and support in connection with the preparation of applications to local, national and international foundations.)
• ongoing evaluation and adjustment of the work of the municipality's schools in connection with the international dimension 
• evaluation of all projects in the light of Hillerød Municipality’s international strategy

Financing

The financing of the international co-operation shall as far as possible occur via foundations and development funds. Hillerød Municipality's financial contribution to the project will occur via capitalisation of the workforce participating from the municipality.

Each year, in connection with its budget negotiations, Hillerød Municipality will determine a specific amount to be set aside for international work. Smaller amounts from the total budget (max DKK 10,000) will be administratively distributed by Hillerød Municipality's project group for international co-operation.

Larger project participation proposals must be submitted to the financial committee/technical committee in advance of implementation, for approval.

International co-operation within the decentralised budgets shall be decided and determined by the individual manager under responsibility towards the director of the area of activity.

Organisation

The financial committee will comprise the technical committee for the international work.

The management board will establish a project group for international co-operation composed of staff from the various directorship areas. The Children and Culture department will function as secretariat for the project group.