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 Antonio Lyons

Antonio Lyons, Director of Georgetown University’s Racial Justice Institute’s EnActors, is a multi-disciplinary artist and Applied Theatre Practitioner blending poetry, music, and movement. A Fulbright Awardee and Oregon Shakespeare Festival Producing Fellow, he created We Are Here, a social activism...

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.

...

Dubai becomes world’s first paperless government

From Varun Godinho / Gulf Business: The government of Dubai became the world’s first paperless government with all 45 government entities providing digital services. Becoming entirely digital has been more efficient for public service delivery and reduces harmful environmental impacts....

What Germany’s Coal Miners Can Teach America About Medical Debt

From Noam N. Levey / KFF Health News: Germany, like the U.S., has a largely private healthcare system that relies on private doctors and private insurers. Like Americans, many Germans enroll in a health plan through work, splitting the cost...

A Simple Fix Lifts Single Moms Out of Poverty in India’s Slums

From MaryLou Costa / Reasons to Be Cheerful: Fund a Mom gives 40 single mothers in Jaipur, India, $60 a month with no strings attached. The guaranteed income program helps them cover necessary expenses giving them the breathing room to...

Conversation with Sarah Baird

Sarah M. Baird is an advocate for sustainable energy solutions as a means to reduce global energy poverty and mitigate climate change. As the founder and Executive Director of Let There Be Light International (LTBLI), she partners with local community...