Experiences from the Free Municipality Experiments. A Free Conversation with Ulf Hjelmar

The last round of Free Municipality Experiments in Denmark (2021–2024) has aimed to significantly reduce bureaucratic constraints by exempting selected municipalities from 60–70% of existing legislation in key welfare areas, including primary education, daycare, and eldercare. This initiative, described as a “wild idea” by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, seeks to enhance service quality by allowing municipalities to innovate free from most regulations, retaining only essential constitutional and EU law protections. These experiments have led to substantial innovations resulting in legislative proposals for broader welfare reforms. The approach suggests a shift from traditional government oversight to governance, empowering local authorities to make autonomous
decisions tailored to their communities’ needs. Looking forward, the continuation of Free Municipality Experiments remains uncertain, yet the Danish experience indicates a strong potential for such initiatives to drive public sector innovation and legislative change. The final evaluation report, due in December 2024, will be crucial in determining their future trajectory.