The Nordic ministers responsible for regional development have adopted a new joint declaration that places resilience, robustness, and civil preparedness at the centre of Nordic cooperation.
The declaration, endorsed at the annual ministerial meeting in Helsinki on 23 October under the Finnish-Ålandic presidency, strengthens Nordic collaboration within regional development, physical planning, and freedom of movement in times of crisis.
Against a backdrop of major geopolitical, environmental, and societal changes, the declaration underlines the need for shared Nordic action to safeguard the ability of societies to anticipate, manage, and recover from crises. It also highlights the growing recognition that psychological resilience is an essential element of societal preparedness. Psychological resilience in this context refers to the capacity of individuals and communities to cope with stress, uncertainty, and disruption.
Nordregio contributes new insights on regional and psychological resilience
Nordregio’s research is well aligned with the joint Nordic ambitions. Under the Swedish presidency in 2024, Nordregio carried out a project on ‘Robust Regional Preparedness’, identifying how regional policy can contribute to ensuring civil preparedness and resilience in the Nordic regions.
Building on this, Nordregio is now leading a Finnish presidency project on ‘Recognizing and Supporting Psychological Resilience’, exploring how regional and local actors can help strengthen mental and social preparedness across the Nordic countries. The project examines how trust, social networks, and community engagement contribute to societal robustness and the ability to act collectively during crises.
Together, these initiatives contribute to developing knowledge and practical recommendations that support the Nordic Co-operation Programme for Regional Development and Planning 2025–2030, and the shared goal of making the Nordic Region the most integrated and sustainable region in the world.
Robust Regional Preparedness
What is the role of regional policy and local and regional action in building robust societies?
Recognizing and Supporting Psychological Resilience: Regional Approaches Across the Nordic Countries
How can communities remain resilient in the face of sudden shocks and ongoing uncertainty?
