«Odense Offers Opportunities for Talent and Reasons to Stay» by Natalia Berengué

What can we learn from Odense?

One of the things that has surprised me most since moving to Odense is discovering that many of the things that work well in Denmark are built on the same foundation: trust. This trust is particularly evident in the way people approach work and the balance between professional and personal life.

The Danish model is based on the idea that people can contribute more when they work in an environment that gives them autonomy and allows them to take responsibility. In the workplace, this translates into a culture that places less emphasis on control and more on results, where flexibility and work-life balance play a fundamental role. Work-life balance is not seen as an additional benefit, but as an essential condition for maintaining a sustainable and attractive society. It allows people to develop their careers without sacrificing their personal time, contributing to greater well-being while also helping organisations retain talent.

This approach to everyday life is also reflected outside the workplace, in a society that makes it easier for people to have time for themselves and those around them. From my experience in Odense, I have seen how this trust and balance help create a place where people not only want to work, but also build their future.

What can Barcelona learn from the Danish model to retain talent?

One of the areas where Barcelona could learn from Denmark is the way work is approached, by continuing to move towards a more results-oriented work culture. It is not about working less, but about creating the conditions for the time invested to generate greater value. Another challenge is ensuring that the city's residents have the opportunity to continue living there.

Access to housing is one of the main obstacles, particularly for young professionals, students and researchers. Expanding the supply of affordable rental housing and exploring new forms of public-private collaboration would be important steps towards strengthening Barcelona’s ability to retain talent.

At the same time, a city’s competitiveness is also shaped by everyday life. The quality of public spaces, transport, access to green spaces and neighbourhood life increasingly influence people’s decisions about where they want to live.

The main lesson I take from Odense is that a city’s competitiveness depends not only on its ability to create opportunities, but also on its ability to create the conditions that make people want to stay. In a world where cities compete for talent, offering an environment where people can grow both professionally and personally can become one of their greatest strengths.

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