Organizations, media, companies – and maybe even you – are busy planning your participation at this year’s Folkemøde in a month’s time.
But what do you do when you don’t yet know who will get the ministerial positions in your areas of expertise? Will it be a red, green, blue or purple government? Who will get the rapporteurships? And what does it mean for the many panel debates when it’s unclear who can talk about what?
When organizations plan their participation at Folkemødet, it’s often with a desire for political presence as a central driving force. But this year, with the participation of politicians uncertain, it requires a different approach.
Most recently in 2015 – and to some extent in 2019 – we experienced a Folkemødet with fewer politicians than usual due to elections. However, this did not dilute the event or its relevance. On the contrary, in my opinion, it was a year where networking among stakeholders was more important and where the professional content was stronger.
In a situation like the current one, it’s first and foremost about rethinking the purpose. If an event is based solely on the presence of specific politicians, it becomes vulnerable. Instead, the focus should be on creating content that is relevant to the stakeholders you want to engage with. Build events around strong presentations, engaging debates and collaborations with other organizations. Think networking rather than political “X-factor”.
At the same time, a more “politician-light” Folkemøde opens up new opportunities. Without the biggest political profiles, there can be more room for immersion, real dialog and networking across sectors. The audience can be more curious and less focused on party politics, which can strengthen the conversation about solutions rather than positions.
Of course, there are also disadvantages. The absence of decision-makers can make it harder to achieve direct political impact or media visibility. For many, meeting politicians is a key part of the value of participating.
Therefore, the strategy should be twofold: Plan with flexibility and focus on content, but be ready to adapt the program if political participants arrive. This ensures value – no matter who’s on stage.
And most importantly: Be ready behind the scenes. Send out invitations to the politicians you want to include. Once the political puzzle is solved, many will prioritize Folkemødet as an obvious platform for positioning – not least newly elected politicians. It’s an advantage to be among the invitations already in your inbox.
If you need more advice on how to work with the current political situation – in relation to Folkemødet 2026 or otherwise – contact Louise Stenstrup,
