How Norway Built an Economy That Puts People First

From Isabella Breda / Yes! Magazine: Despite a nationwide months-long coronavirus lockdown in Norway, the economy was able to remain stable due to a “decades-long effort to create an equitable economy” that helped the government to enact a package that provided businesses and self-employed individuals’ tax relief and deferrals. Although Norwegians pay roughly the same amount of taxes that Americans do, their taxes largely pay for social welfare programs which include unemployment benefits, retirement pay, and health care coverage. This “national ethos of economic equity” is what helped the country to navigate the pandemic.

Click here to read the original story.

Issue Areas:

Democracy and Governance, Gender Rights, Inclusive Growth, Labor, Wellbeing Economics

Impact Areas:

Creating New Economic Paradigms, Equity, Health and Wellness, Policy and Legislation

Actors:

Government, Womxn, Workers / Labor Unions

Communities Served:

Womxn, Workers

Strategies:

Collective Action, Implementing Workplace Policies, Increase Education / Insights Sharing

Success Factors:

Eliminating Barriers, Empowering People, Expanding Access, Impact Measurement, Using A Comprehensive Approach, Using Creative Financing, Using Financial Incentives

Geographic Region:

Europe

Countries:

Norway

Date:

November 3, 2020

More Resources:

Conversation with Andrew Schwartz

Andrew Schwartz is a Senior Advisor at The Common Initiative, working within a collective of experts on biodiversity, climate, human rights, and economic reform. Previously, as Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Center for Earth Ethics, Andrew led efforts to...

Climate disasters hit poor people hardest. There’s an obvious solution to that

From Sigal Samuel / Vox: An effective way to help those most vulnerable to climate disasters is by providing just-in-time cash transfers right before a disaster hits for them to use as they see fit for resilience and climate change...

Conversation with Beth Sawin

Elizabeth Sawin is the Director of Multisolving Institute. Beth is an expert on multisolving actions that address equity, climate change health, well-being, and economic vitality as integrated issues. She developed the concept after studying bright spots around the world where...

4-day workweek pilot in South Africa – the results are in, with some surprises

From Business Tech: 28 South African businesses and one Botswanan business participated in a 4-day week pilot in 2023. The results showed huge benefits for both employees and employers. Read the original story here. Find more wellbeing employee initiatives.

...

Conversation with Jonathon Freeman

Jonathon Freeman is a founding member of the Native Roots Network, an Indigenous community development organization that, most notably, has curated and organized Our Story: Native Art Exhibitions, advocated for Indigenous cultural revitalization, the protection of Indigenous lands and sacred...

Conversation with Delana Finlayson

Delana Finlayson leads Urban Think Tank Empower, a South African non-profit dedicated to socio-economic transformation through multidisciplinary projects. Notably, the Empower Khayelitsha project pioneers housing innovation approaches by integrating affordability, sustainability, and community engagement. Delana Finlayson spoke with Ashley Hopkinson...