Events

As the Nordic countries strive towards sustainable transport solutions, electric aviation presents a promising avenue for enhancing regional connectivity and accessibility. But what does it take to unlock the future of electric aviation and make use of electric aircraft to connect Nordic regions? Is electric aviation really ready for take-off? Our webinar on 4 December (13.00-14.30 CET) focused on the steps towards implementing electric aviation in the Nordic Region. Participant also got an overview of a brand new policy brief outlining actionable steps to turn electric aviation from vision to reality. Issues discussed included: Speakers: This webinar was part of the ‘Electric aviation and the effects on the Nordic regions’ project mapping out the steps towards implementing electric aviation and analysing both its benefits and challenges for local communities and regional development.

How will the green transition reshape key sectors in the Nordic Region? What kind of regional impacts and challenges are there across the Nordics – and how should we address them? This webinar on 3 December (14.00-15.00 CET / Stockholm) focused on the regional impacts, economic opportunities and challenges related to green transition in key sectors in the Nordic countries. The webinar marked the launch a new report that takes stock of the regional economic effects of the green transition in the Nordic Region. The report provides insights into what the green transition means for key sectors in the Nordic countries. The questions addressed include: Webinar speakers and panelists: The online participants had a possibility to get an overview of the green transition’s regional impacts across the Nordics, participate in the discussion, and hear from experts from different Nordic countries about the challenges and opportunities to reduce greenhouse gases and on regional impacts the green transition on employment and economic output. This webinar was a part of our campaign This Fall is Green, which gathers four events with one common goal – to accelerate the green transition in the Nordic Region. Make sure to check out the outcomes and highlights from the other events in the series as well!

How is remote work shaping the future of Nordic regions? Join our upcoming webinar together with NIVA. During the webinar we explore the latest findings on remote work and multilocality in the Nordic region, with insights from the final report within our Remote work project, presented by senior researcher Anna Granath Hansson. The webinar will focus on the long-term impacts of remote work trends on Nordic cities, regions, and rural areas, offering perspectives on how these shifts influence mobility, migration patterns, and the attractiveness of towns and rural areas. This session will also address critical questions about the tools and policies Nordic countries are using to support sustainable remote work and how to ensure social, environmental, and financial sustainability in a multilocal world. We will also highlight how remote work affects the work environment and how to create safe, healthy workplaces remotely. Key takeaways from the webinar: The webinar will be held in Zoom, and you will receive more practical information upon registration.

The blue and marine sectors play a crucial role in the economies and sustainability efforts of the Nordic countries. To ensure the long-term growth and survival of these sectors, they must become more inclusive and gender equal. Earlier this year, Nordregio launched the pivotal report “Ensuring Gender Equality in the Nordic Blue Economy”. The report covers the big picture, offering statistics on women’s presence in various professions in the sectors. Our research showed that women were underrepresented in general and in decision-making in particular – now and historically. Many fisherwomen experience sexist attitudes and even harassment. It also examines training opportunities and initiatives aimed at increasing gender balance and creating a more inclusive work environment within the blue economy. The report called for several actions, including encouragement of women to go into the sectors and the need for role models, to increase primary data collection and to mitigate and counteract the risk of sexual harassment. How do we turn these insights into action? This webinar brings together representatives from across the Nordics to discuss how we can turn Nordregio’s report findings into concrete actions and promote gender equality in the blue economy. From political decisions to local initiatives and business practices, we aim to combine research with practical experience and policy interventions to show how an equal blue economy can become a reality in the Nordics. Dive into the blue economy with us to engage in meaningful discussions on how we can drive positive change and shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for the blue and marine industries. Programme: Anna Karlsdóttir, Nordregio/University of Iceland presents report “Ensuring Gender Equality in Nordic Blue Economy” Cecilia Österman will present key findings from her research on workplace harassment at sea, and gender equality in Nordic Blue Economies.Panel discussion: Cecilia Österman, Senior Lecturer, Kalmar Maritime…

At this year’s Forum we are focused on elevating the Nordic green transition beyond crisis management to creating more attractive and competitive cities and regions.

Why are there so few men in nursing, and what can be done to change this? Join us for an engaging webinar on 15 November at 10.00 CET where we will explore the persistent gender imbalance in nursing and examine what steps can be taken to address it.  Currently, less than 15% of nursing graduates are men—a statistic shaped by societal perceptions and gender stereotypes. Despite efforts to promote equality, men face significant challenges when entering and advancing nursing careers. To change this, a cultural shift is needed at all levels of education, alongside more robust diversity plans in workplaces.  This webinar draws on insights from the “Share the Care: Strategies to Increase Diversity in Nursing Education” report, funded by NIKK, and marks the launch of a new report examining gender dynamics in nursing across Finland, Norway, and Iceland. The project’s findings offer a comparative Nordic perspective on gender representation in nursing, recruitment strategies, and provide key recommendations for the future.  Webinar programme & speakers 15 November, 10.00-11.30 CET, Zoom Opening Remarks and Introduction: Debora Pricila Birgier and Maija Kāle, Nordregio The Project “Share the Care“ Gender Equality in Care – Panel Discussion The Future of Men in Care and Health – Closing Statements

The green transition is upon us. But is everyone on board? We all want to ensure that socially at-risk groups aren’t left behind in the transition – but what does that mean in reality? The path towards a just green transition in the Nordic Region can be tricky to navigate. That is why we have developed the “Nordic Toolbox for a Just Green Transition”, collecting four years of research. We invite you to attend the launch! The comprehensive and interactive toolbox offers practical research-based guidance for Nordic policymakers to navigate challenges, listen to those affected, and get inspired. Watch a recording of the webinar to get a collected overview of how policymakers can act to ensure that the green transition is just and fair, and how civil society and socially at-risk groups should be involved to make it a reality. Keynote speech: Åsa Persson, Chair, Swedish Climate Policy Council and Research Director and Deputy Director, SEI Live demo of the toolbox by: Nora Sánchez Gassen, Senior Research Fellow, NordregioLouise Ögland, Communications Advisor, Nordregio Comments by: Eggert Benedikt Guðmundsson, Leader of Sustainable Development in the Prime Minister’s Office, IcelandHeta-Elena Heiskanen, Senior Specialist in Ministry of the Environment in Finland and Secretary General for Climate Change PanelJohan Hall, Investigator for Climate, environment and energy issues, LO/The Swedish Trade Union ConfederationPetra Karjalainen, Co-Chair, The Finnish Agenda2030 Youth Group Moderator: Lisa Pelling, Arena think tank This event is a part of our campaign This Fall is Green, which gathers four events, with one common goal – to accelerate the green transition in the Nordic Region. Read more about This Fall is Green here.

Join us for a full day with presentations of recent research on wage formation by leading Nordic academics.

The Sustainable Living Summit in Stockholm on 15 October gathered thought leaders from a unique mix of key sectors to showcase solutions and guidelines for enabling sustainable lifestyle choices.

Civil society actors are crucial in bridging the digital divide in the Nordic and Baltic Region. Their work combating digital exclusion for socially at-risk groups with multifaceted needs should not be overlooked. But what does their support look like? What works, and what hinders these organisations? As part of Nordregio’s ongoing research project, “Digital Inclusion in Action,” this webinar explored the important role of Nordic and Baltic civil society actors in ensuring that no one is left behind in our increasingly digital world. As civil society gains traction in digitalisation policies to ensure and promote equal access to the digitalised society, we will explore the unique challenges and success factors of NGOs supporting diverse groups. We have interviewed 20 NGOs across the Nordics and Baltics – during this webinar, we presented results from our research and present the comprehensive overview of their work – launching as digital stories at the webinar. NGO representatives will be present to share firsthand accounts of their work: best practices, and the unique challenges they face, following an interactive panel discussion. Watch a recording of the webinar below. Webinar programme: Throughout the webinar you, our digital audience, will be encouraged to engage with the content: share thoughts, insights, good practices and ask questions. With us to guide us through the interactive webinar, is moderator Annika Östman, Head of Communication at Nordregio. Join us to learn more about: Don’t miss this chance to learn, share, and network about making digital inclusion a reality in the Nordic and Baltic Regions. Explore the Storymap “Bytes and Rights: Civil society’s role in digital inclusion” now.

On 10 September 2024, Nordregio will host a workshop in collaboration with the ERC Advanced Grant project InfraNorth.

Norden har länge varit en förebild i klimatarbetet. En majoritet av nordiska kommuner arbetar strategiskt med FN:s globala hållbarhetsmål, enligt en ny rapport från Nordregio. EU-valet den 9 juni visade dessutom att klimatfrågan är viktigare i Norden än andra delar av Europa. Under Ystad Summit samlar Nordregio tongivande röster för att diskutera hur nordiska städer kan ta ledningen i den nödvändiga transformationen till ett hållbart samhälle. Är vi så bra på grön omställning i praktiken – eller är det mest snack? Hur går det med transporterna, konsumtionen och den biologiska mångfalden egentligen? Och vad händer om vi bara fokuserar på klimatet och inte de sociala utmaningarna, i jakten på att bli den mest hållbara staden? Kort sagt, vad krävs av politiker och invånare för att nordiska städer ska kunna bli verkliga förebilder för resten av världen? Med avstamp i den nyligen lanserade rapporten om hur nordiska kommuner implementerar hållbarhetsmålen, kommer företrädare från organisationer och kommuner i de nordiska länderna att diskutera utmaningar, erfarenheter och hur vi tillsammans kan ta ledningen i omställningen. Vi kommer också få höra ungas perspektiv på vad som är viktigt och hur vi involverar dem i detta arbete. Medverkande:• Åsa Ström Hildestrand, Nordregio/Nordiska Ministerrådet• Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, KSO Malmö Stad och ordförande ICLEI• Anna Esbjörn, Concito – Danmarks gröna tankesmedja som stöttar kommuner i genomförandet av klimathandlingsplaner• Åsa Minoz, Viable Cities• Siri Ankarfors, scout och LSU:s ungdomsrepresentant i FN för klimat- och miljöfrågor• Moderator: Yasemin Arhan Modéer, Altitude Meetings Vi ses på Ystad Summit, i Biografen den 5 september. Eventet kommer även att live-streamas här. Ystad Summit är en politiskt oberoende och öppen demokratisk mötesplats. Läs mer på deras hemsida.

Welcome to a webinar and report launch that digs into the trends and patterns in young people's climate commitment in the Nordics

Join the webinar for a first look into the future of education in the Nordics.

It’s well known that most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) will not be reached without local engagement. The Nordic countries have a long tradition of strong local governance and great potential to be frontrunners in SDG localisation. But what have the Nordic municipalities achieved so far? What works and what worries them? Welcome to the official launch of the first-ever Nordic Voluntary Subnational Review (VSR), showcasing local governments’ efforts to achieve the SDGs. The launch will take place on 9 July, in Conference room 8 at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York. We welcome both those who will be onsite, and those joining online via stream. The Nordic VSR is based on surveys and interviews across all Nordic municipalities. Nordregio and the Local and Regional Government Associations (LRGAs) will present final results, key learnings and inspiring practices on SDG implementation from the Nordic Toolbox. Together, we’ll discuss how to face recurring challenges, including political support, SDG governance, cross-sectoral collaboration, stakeholder and youth engagement, and how to monitor progress.  Programme outline: Welcome and opening words Anna Karin Eneström, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United NationsMerete Fjeld Brattested, Permanent Representative of Norway to the United NationsEeva Furman, Secretary-General of the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable DevelopmentÞórður Ægir Óskarsson, Deputy Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United NationsErik Laursen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United NationsModerator: Åsa Ström Hildestrand, Nordregio  Presentation of Nordic VSR: Results and key learnings Nordic Local and Regional Government Associations (LRGAs):Anne Romsaas, Chief Adviser SDG, The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS Kommunesektorens organisasjon)Daniel Sazonov, Deputy Mayor of the City of Helsinki, The Chair of the AFLA Delegation, The Association of Finnish Local Authorities (AFLA/Kuntaliitto)Emil Broberg, Board member, The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR/SKR) and Councilor, Östergötland Region, SwedenHeiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, President, The Icelandic Association of Local Authorities (Samband…

What are the risks and rewards of remote work? Why are we having less kids in the Nordics? Join us in Visby, Gotland, on 25 June as we host two panel discussions during Almedalen 2024.

The 20th edition of the State of the Nordic Region is out! We shared the report highlights in an online launch on 19 June. A recording is available below. The speakers included: State of the Nordic Region 2024 takes stock of the latest socio-economic trends and developments in demography, labour market and economy in the Nordic countries, regions, municipalities, and cities. We have also included a brand new and revised Regional Potential Index that sheds light on the development potential and performance of regions across the Nordics and helps identify the regions with the strongest growth potential. The report is a source of comparative knowledge and insights. It offers a rich Nordic panorama through a collection of maps, data, figures and analyses that highlight both broader, common trends, as well as local and regional differences. The report is a treasure trove of information for the anyone and everyone interested in learning about the Nordics or getting inspired by the Nordic model, or drawing insights from the diversity of Nordic regions and areas. State of the Nordic Region is a biannual report published and produced by Nordregio. State of the Nordic Region 2024 marks the 20th edition of the report. Building on a rich knowledge base, extensive data sets, statistics, maps and analyses, it takes a closer look the latest trends and developments in the Nordic Region from three perspectives: Demography, Labour Market and Economy. The report gives a unique look behind the scenes of the world’s most integrated region, comprised of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, along with Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland.

Welcome to the launch event of the new report “Fiscal Policy in Uncertain Times”. The Global Financial Crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have had vastly negative effects on economies and increased the risk of political instability in all corners of the world. One consequence has been a renewed interest in the efficiency of conventional macroeconomic policies, fiscal policy in particular.  This edition of the Nordic Economic Policy Review, provides a rich perspective on fiscal stabilisation in Nordic countries, highlighting different challenges in managing national economies during uncertain times. The event is organised together with the Danish Ministry of Finance.  Watch the live stream on YouTube 14:00-16:30 (CET) below: Programme 7 June:  13.30-14.00: Arrival and coffee  14.00-14.15: Opening remarks 14.15-14.25: Introduction to report 14.25-15.30: Fiscal Stabilisers in Denmark and Sweden 15.30-´15.45: Coffee break– 15 mins. 15.45-16.30: Panel Debate: Fiscal policy during uncertain times – What are the challenges facing stabilisation policy in the future? Moderator: Sune Bjørnvig, Communications Advisor and Partner, FRIDAY & Partner Panelists:  The event takes place on 7 June at 14:00-16:30 CET at the Danish Finance Ministry in Copenhagen, Denmark, and online. The event is open to all stakeholders and is free of charge. Please note that registration is mandatory. Register before 4 June!