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How do we ensure that all parts of the Nordic-Baltic region benefit from the rollout of 5G – and that the people driving digital innovation can find each other? A new tool, developed as part of the N-B Connect project, is designed to meet that challenge. Explore the Nordic-Baltic Connectivity Hub, available here A living map of connectivity and use cases “Innovators can use it to find partners and actively publish their own collaboration needs.” The Nordic-Baltic Connectivity Hub, built on the foundation of an earlier 5G data dashboard and now available in its pilot version, offers an interactive map of 5G coverage across the region along with a networking platform. Hub users can explore use cases, submit collaboration requests, and connect with others working on similar initiatives – a means to drive digital innovation and foster cross-border knowledge exchange. “We created the Nordic-Baltic Connectivity Hub to ensure that the entire region benefits from the advancements in 5G technology,” says Nicola Wendt-Lucas, project manager and Senior Research Fellow at Nordregio. “It helps policymakers identify areas that need improvement and track progress towards the EU’s 2030 gigabit network goal. At the same time, innovators can use it to find partners and actively publish their own collaboration needs.” One of the tool’s most innovative aspects is a new feature called 5G+ Networking, which makes it easier for users to actively seek out partnerships. “It allows users from across the Nordic-Baltic region to submit, explore, and find collaboration requests,” explains Madelene Sonesson, Cartographer and GIS Analyst at Nordregio, who developed the new tool. “This enables them to supply information on ongoing or coming projects that are in need of partnerships.” Users can also “compare 5G coverage between countries, regions and municipalities by accessing the latest coverage data in the Nordic-Baltic region,” she adds,…

The Nordic Region is widely known for its accessible and inclusive higher education systems. Yet beyond the traditional urban campuses lies a quieter, but equally important, transformation. In small towns and rural areas across the Nordics, higher education institutions are stepping into roles that go far beyond education – shaping labour markets, attracting youth, and becoming anchors for regional development. More than education providers “Higher education institutions in smaller towns and rural areas are much more than just providers of education — they wear many hats,” says Anna Berlina, Project Manager at Nordregio. “They serve as drivers of regional development, promote community cohesion, help reduce social inequalities, and deliver skills and competencies tailored to local labour market needs.” One of the central insights of the study is the strategic importance of peripheral higher education institutions (PHEIs) in tackling regional disparities. Many rural and remote regions across the Nordics are grappling with youth outmigration, labour shortages, and a growing urban-rural divide. In this context, education emerges not just as a right, but as a lever for territorial cohesion and local vitality. Strong collaboration among local governments, businesses, and education providers – often referred to as the “quadruple helix” – plays a critical role. In successful cases, municipalities are not just passive hosts but active co-creators, offering funding, shaping curricula, and aligning education with labour market needs. The research also finds that hybrid and flexible models of education are key to ensuring access. In digitally connected Nordic regions, students can now pursue higher education without relocating – a major advantage for adult learners, families, and those balancing work and study. However, Anna Berlina points out that physical spaces still matter: “Despite increased digitalisation, having a physical campus or a dedicated learning space was seen as especially important for community building, creating connections…

Digital identity is central to everyday life in the Nordic countries – but what happens when not everyone can log in? A new report from Nordregio investigates how electronic ID (eID) systems are being implemented in Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland, and what it takes to ensure that digital inclusion becomes the starting point, not an afterthought.  Between 90 and 98 % of people in the Nordic countries now use electronic ID to access public services, banking, and digital communication. But this high uptake masks significant gaps, especially in smaller and more remote areas.  Nordregio’s new report, Digital identity for all? Barriers and solutions for an inclusive eID rollout in the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland, explores how three societies – each with distinct political and infrastructural contexts – are navigating the transition to digital identity systems. Drawing on 50 interviews with public officials, NGOs, banks and civil society actors, the study highlights both structural barriers and emerging solutions for how to succeed with an inclusive eID rollout.  Context matters – one size does not fit all  The three cases represent very different approaches. The Faroe Islands have built their own national eID system, Samleikin. Greenland has adopted Denmark’s MitID, while Åland relies primarily on private bank-issued IDs.  Faroese Samleikin, prioritised user inclusion from the outset. The system is voluntary, available in multiple formats (including USB for those without smartphones), and supported by physical helpdesks, phone support and outreach activities. Civil society organisations were involved early in the rollout to identify barriers and tailor support to different user groups.  Greenland, by contrast, uses Denmark’s MitID – a system developed for the Danish context, which may not fully reflect Greenland’s unique geographical, societal and linguistic landscape. Challenges have included limited internet access, language barriers, and a lack of coordination between…

The Nordic countries are among the most digitalised in the world. Yet, this digital advantage does not benefit everyone equally. One group particularly at risk of being left behind is immigrant women—especially those who are newly arrived, have limited local language proficiency, or come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. New research explores this issue, asking: how can the Nordic countries support the digital inclusion of immigrant women, and why does it matter? The publication provides insights and recommendations to enhance digital engagement and integration into society. Exclusion in a digital welfare state In the Nordic welfare model, digital competence is often the gateway to social and economic participation. From applying for jobs and booking healthcare to accessing benefits and public services, basic digital skills are now indispensable. “Factors such as language proficiency, digital literacy, trust, lack of support, systemic barriers, cultural differences, and lack of domain knowledge intersect to create significant challenges,” explains Maja Brynteson, author of the study and Research Fellow at Nordregio. The consequences go far beyond inconvenience. Digital exclusion can deepen social isolation, create new forms of control and limit the ability of immigrant women to fully participate in everyday life. A fragmented policy landscape Across the Nordic countries, policy responses vary. Norway specifically identifies immigrant women as a digitally vulnerable group in national strategies. Other countries adopt a broader approach—focusing on common challenges shared across groups at risk of exclusion. This “common challenges, common solutions” model aims to streamline efforts and improve efficiency. Yet, it is difficult to say if this generalist approach can meet the specific needs of immigrant women (and other groups at risk of digital exclusion), who often face compounded and intersectional barriers to inclusion. “It is too early to say whether targeted or broader approaches are more effective,” says Brynteson. “Both have merits,…

Cities are at the forefront of the global fight against climate change. With seven out of ten people projected to live in urban areas by 2050 (UN, 2018) and cities already accounting for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the stakes could not be higher. Urban areas are expanding faster than their population growth, posing major risks to climate targets, but also opening a critical window for sustainable innovation. Cities account for over 80% of global GDP (World Bank, 2023), giving them significant potential to drive climate action while maintaining economic growth. Nordregio’s new report, “Nordic cities: pathways towards climate neutrality”, the final product of the Nordic Climate Neutral Cities (NCNC) project, funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, offers insights for both national and local policymakers and planners. It explores how Nordic cities use spatial urban planning to move towards climate neutrality through three specific sectors: land use, transport, and building and construction. Political will and practical barriers Nordic cities are well-positioned for climate neutrality, thanks to strong political will, energy-efficient building traditions, investments in sustainable mobility, and growing citizen participation. Their strong institutional and financial capacity, supported by municipal autonomy and access to renewable energy, offers a solid foundation for climate action. Yet, our research also shows the challenges slowing the transition. Multilevel governance challenges, coordination gaps within municipalities, fragmented land use planning, and inconsistent building regulations slow progress. Financing for building retrofits is often inadequate, increasing the risk of energy poverty. Public preferences for traditional housing forms may also conflict with climate goals. Limiting cars in urban areas is still a politically sensitive issue in several Nordic municipalities. As the report states, “Nordic cities have many of the right ingredients for climate neutrality, but overcoming ingrained systemic barriers will require new forms of collaboration and more targeted…

As Europe advances towards climate neutrality, the green transition is reshaping economic and social structures in regions across the countries. The green transition offers opportunities for innovation, new industries, and growth, but its effects are uneven and place-dependent. Some regions are well positioned to benefit, while others risk being left behind. Ensuring a just and balanced transition requires coordinated action across governance levels, with particular attention to regional dynamics and capacities. In a recent event ‘Territories on their way to climate neutrality’ (6 May) hosted by ESPON EGTC, Nordregio’s Senior Research Fellow Nora Sánchez Gassen contributed to a policy session on how spatial planning and territorial development can support climate neutrality. The session brought together planners, policymakers, and researchers to examine how place-based strategies can guide a fair and effective transition.  Regional perspectives on green industrialisation Sánchez Gassen presented results from Nordregio’s research and the Territorial Perspective on Green Industrialisation working paper and policy brief, a joint effort by ESPON and Nordregio. She emphasised that the success of green industrialisation depends not only on technological development and market incentives, but also on regional capacities, governance frameworks, and public engagement. Three key issues were highlighted: Research-based resources for policy development The talk drew on three recent Nordregio publications that support regional policy development for a just and effective green transition: Working paper and policy brief: Territorial perspective on green industrialisationThese publications offer evidence-based insights into how green industrialisation is taking shape across Europe. They provide territorial evidence and examples that inform planning and policy at the local, national and EU levels. Key policy messages highlight both the potential and challenges of green reindustrialisation and call for regionally adapted, inclusive strategies. Report: Regional economic effects of the green transition in the Nordic RegionThis report provides a detailed account of how the green…