In the heart of V?sternorrland lies a challenge and an opportunity!

With industries investing and jobs awaiting, we need to attract and retain talent like never before!? But it's not just about job opportunities; it's about building vibrant communities where everyone feels connected and valued.?

As we strive to create such communities, I understand we stand on the brink of creating international houses.? Imagine if these international houses included “hospitality hubs”, a term suggested by my good friend which summarizes a team consisting of individuals from municipalities, the private sector as well as the civil society. Characteristics of the individuals that a humanity hub is made up of- have the gift of hospitality and flourish when uniting people from all walks of life. They love showing off the local area and contributing to networks of friendship and collaboration.?

In my own experience working with an EU financed project named Ukrainakompetens; with the objective to help Ukrainians integrate into the Swedish labor market, I learned two very valuable lessons. Firstly, simple boosts for the marketplace, such as providing a translator during interviews, introductions as well as follow-ups can foster long-term employment and aid potential employers in receiving skilled employees.?

Secondly, retention of talent, whether recruited long distance or already in our region, requires efforts from various directions. During our project, the investment of volunteers from civil society made a significant impact infusing warmth, encouragement as well as fostering a sense of trust and unity. Clearly put, one example of a hospitality hub!? Ukrainian participants reported starting the project without a single Swedish-speaking contact.? At the end of the project, participants reported up to 20 new connections. These contacts created an important network around each person, fostering relationships that made a tangible difference in people's lives enabling them to establish roots and inspiring them to want to stay in our city and region.??

Together, across sectors, I know we can steward our region's future.? The key being across sectors. Sweden's reputation for trustworthiness, equality, and sustainability makes our region an attractive destination on the world stage. My own journey from New York to Sundsvall, driven by love and guided by friendship, is a testament to our welcoming spirit.?

Our work has begun!? Attracting long distance talent is a costly and logistically challenging endeavor. It is a tedious and intricate task but let us not neglect nor underestimate the power of reaching out to those already marginalized. It is of vital importance that we harness the potential of what some might consider "low-hanging fruits" – individuals seeking refuge or those currently unemployed. Their integration into companies seeking skilled talent in close proximity. By investing in their support and empowerment, we not only uplift individuals but also offer companies a valuable resource pool, driving economic growth and innovation within our city and region.?

As we embark on this journey, let's embrace the power of language as a tool for unity and understanding. By choosing to express myself in English, I want to emphasize our commitment to lifting our perspectives and engaging with the global community.?

As I stand at the culmination of an incredible journey with Ukrainakompetens, one that has enriched me with invaluable lessons in talent retention and community building, yet, as this chapter draws to a close, I find myself inspired by the potential for continued collaboration and growth.?

Let's embrace change as a personal commitment to action, transcending sectors and borders as well as fostering curiosity, innovation, and opportunity.?

Our future depends on it!

… and as John C Maxwell once said, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional."

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