Glen Hodgson, CEO of Free Trade Europa, is passionate about making Europe a place full of vibrant opportunity once again. He has watched with frustration as national governments and the European Parliament have expanded bureaucracies and increased regulations, stifling innovation, prosperity, and workers' ability to benefit from a more dynamic world. 
Glen says this trend of increasing regulation undermines the promise of the European Union to make economic prosperity more accessible than ever across the continent. “Everyone took for granted globalization, free trade, openness, and personal choice,” Glen said. “But what we’re seeing through time, particularly in this era of polarization and fragmentation, is that it’s not a given anymore, even in Europe.”
Free Trade Europa—an Atlas Network partner based in Stockholm, Sweden—is working to ensure Europeans are free to take part in a rapidly changing and increasingly tech-connected economy. Though the “gig economy” and freelance work existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, the explosion of remote work highlighted the importance to many workers of having a variety of employment options. These individuals include people with disabilities, single parents, students, caretakers, and millions of others who want to work and contribute to society, but wish to do so on their own schedule and on their own terms.