Denmark’s success built on socially innovative moments

Four large innovation movements - the folk school movement; cooperative movement; trade union movement; and welfare movement - have made Denmark a master in social innovation. They evolved as a response to acute crises such as war pressure from competition, and class battles. Today, however, they are on their knees. A large part of the trade union movement is fighting declining membership, and the large cooperatives - such as Arla and Danish Crown - have capital and image problems. But new innovation movements are ready to take over. They are building further on Danish abilities for social innovation, and have the potential to make Danish businesses global market leaders in innovative welfare solutions.