Thoughts on the neglected

In a few years it will be 20 years since 18 municipalities in Greenland were reduced to a mere four. Since then they have become five.

The intention was so good. The municipal administration in individual municipalities should become more robust in its structure and be strengthened.

All powerful people talked about how the merger would create better service and make the municipalities more viable.

Yes, the purpose was right!

However, the robust structure that strengthens the municipal administration is very difficult to see 20 years later.

It did not happen on the East Coast and other outlying districts, and today the new government in Kujalleq Municipality is struggling hard with the predecessor's neglected tasks and huge tax debts.

And in other municipalities the money is small and the tasks are enormous.

It is one thing to have fine and - for some - important social analyses launched, as something that will bring good changes and easier solutions.

It is another to realise them according to their intention.

Without supervision

Perhaps the prerequisites for robust and viable structures have simply been lacking, not only in the municipalities, but especially also where supervision should function.

The facts have shown that it does not always work out by itself to merge previously several administrations into one, because some municipalities do not get the help they need in time, especially when they are physically separated by sea, far away from each other.

You are probably left thinking, what? How about a huge tightening, perhaps generally with funds from outside, and with consideration and with the participation of the citizens?

How can you be so smart and think out loud …

Trends

It is clear that Nuuk is also struggling with impulsive relocations, lack of housing, homelessness and major social problems. And educated and stable workforce.

They are building and nailing down to the big gold medal in Nuuk, while people in outer districts and smaller settlements had to, and still have to, struggle with poor housing, cuts, fewer and fewer populations and lack of employment.

In itself, this trend is global.

Centralization exists everywhere in the world, where the consequence is a lack of good people with education in outer districts.

Homelessness, extremely expensive housing and poverty are also found in all major cities where people gather.

It is enough to shrug your shoulders and think: Oh well, move on! Maybe to the places where you can get food on the table, go to the cinema and maybe get a job.

Go from hunger to abundance and to a place where you can meet the hospital staff face-to-face – if you are so lucky. In 2026.

Your own perspective

And as for your own. Perhaps the real improvement is not always changing external conditions, but changing your own perspective.

Sometimes it's about accepting the terms or just saying that a wounded soul, mistakes and imperfections are not signs of bad conditions, but a part of life. Or it's also about finding the courage to move on in a new place.

It's always the driving force that sets the course.

As individuals, we often seek something better; a stronger community, more fun leisure time, or maybe just a form of housing that solves loneliness and lack of space all at once.

Whatever it is, I would advise you to never forget the color of the sea where you come from. For me, the sea around Napasoq is bluer than elsewhere (the best).