Publications

The food systems and dietary patterns in Greenland and the Faroe Islands are shaped by their unique geographical, climatic, and cultural contexts, setting them apart from other Nordic countries. This policy brief explores the characteristics of these food systems and dietary patterns. It examines both the challenges and opportunities, as well as the ongoing policy initiatives aimed at promoting healthy and sustainable food consumption practices. In essence, this policy brief examines the interplay between the environmental, economic, and cultural determinants that shape food systems in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. By analysing food survey data, the brief provides insights into recent dietary trends and examines policy initiatives aimed at fostering healthier and more sustainable diets. It underscores the need for integrated approaches that enhance food self-sufficiency and sustainability, while preserving cultural traditions and enhancing social well-being. The brief concludes with key recommendations designed to promote healthy and sustainable diets in Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

The expansion of stable digital connectivity in rural Nordic regions has fuelled innovation across various sectors. In the health and social care sector, distance spanning solutions offer a novel opportunity to provide better, more accessible, efficient, and sustainable services, particularly to people in underserved areas.   The project “Integrated Healthcare and Care through Distance Spanning Solutions” (iHAC) has been looking into the different aspects surrounding the provision of remote care services, ranging from questions on sustainability over regional development to governance. This discussion paper aims to unearth some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration to ensure an inclusive rollout of distance spanning health solutions in the Nordic countries. It further aims to provide directions for future investigations into the inclusion dimension of digital health and care services.  This paper focuses on four of the five Nordic model regions identified in the iHAC publication “Integrated Healthcare and Care through distance spanning solutions – for increased service accessibility”: Päijät-Häme, Finland, Fjallabyggð, Iceland, Agder, Norway and Norrtälje, Sweden.  

This policy brief aims to shed some light on the mission’s approach, specifically within innovation policy, and how it is interpreted and implemented at different territorial levels. Mission-oriented innovation policies (MOIP) have gained traction in academia and policy in recent years as a possible means to set the directionality of collective efforts and accelerate transformative change around some of today’s grand societal challenges. This policy brief presents the academic debate around the territorial dimensions of MOIPs, followed by a brief discussion of how MOIPs have been adopted so far at the supra-national, national and sub-national levels. More specifically, a snapshot of the innovation policy landscape and the degree of penetration of mission and transformative approaches in Denmark, Finland and Sweden is presented. Furthermore, the interpretation and adoption of missions at the regional level are discussed based on the results of three Nordic case studies, including Northern Jutland (DK), Ostrobothnia (FI) and Västerbotten (SE). The final section discusses the implications of adopting MOIPs and provides a list of recommendations for Nordic regions.

This report offers 12 key policy messages designed to drive urban transformation at the local level. Drawing on lessons learned within the seven Urban Living Labs (ULLs) in the TANGO-W project, these recommendations equip policymakers with actionable strategies to tackle contemporary challenges facing European cities. The policy messages in this report are organised according to the three key areas of urban sustainability transitions approach: structures, practices, and relationships.  Policy messages concerning STRUCTURES focus on how public organisations can be configured to foster innovation and effectively address contemporary challenges. These recommendations are connected to system awareness and memory, collaboration across various agency levels, and coordination between political and administrative . The goal of these structural policy messages is to empower local entities to lead and drive change.  Policy messages on PRACTICES shed light on how public organisations can develop, implement and sustain the necessary skills, resources, capabilities, and routines to effectively tackle contemporary challenges. Practices encompass UTC components such as learning and reflexivity, transformative leadership, sustainability foresight, and the integration of innovative practices into everyday routines. They focus on innovative working methods that facilitate the translation of broad environmental and societal goals into actionable local practices and projects. Moreover, these practices support the assessment and reflection on the progress of initiatives, fostering the generation of new knowledge.  Policy messages concerning RELATIONSHIPS focus on collaborative connections with external stakeholders that are facilitated by innovative structures and practices. These relationships are key to fostering inclusive and multifaceted urban governance, empowering communities of practice, and experimenting with disruptive solutions. Such capacities highlight the importance of inclusive and adaptive governance, engaging a diverse range of stakeholders from various sectors in the decision-making process.  Find more reports from the TANGO-W project here.

In an evolving risk landscape characterised by extreme weather events, natural disasters, as well as geopolitical turmoil and hybrid threats, it is essential to build and maintain robust and resilient societies capable of withstanding and managing both environmental disasters and human-made crises. This policy brief analyses how regional policy can contribute to civil preparedness and robustness in Nordic rural areas. This policy brief examines how regional policy can enhance civil preparedness and resilience by strengthening cooperation, ensuring access to critical resources, and supporting sustainable transitions. Key aspects include crisis prevention, emergency services, food and energy security, and access to essential public services. The findings highlight the role of strategic regional planning in building more resilient and adaptable Nordic communities. The policy brief has been drafted as a part of the ‘Robust Regional Preparedness‘ project. You can also download the policy brief in Swedish.

This policy paper provides key recommendations outlining ways to proactively engage citizens in EU cohesion policy processes. The recommendations are designed to support EU, national, and regional level policymakers to achieve the priority goal for the 2021-2027 EU cohesion policy programme period of bringing ‘Europe closer to citizens’. European Union (EU) Cohesion Policy is the one area of EU policy competence with the highest potential for directly engaging citizens in EU policymaking processes. While the European Commission has introduced many cohesion policy instruments that bring policymaking closer to regional and local levels, direct citizen involvement in this policy sphere remains negligible. A citizen focused approach needs to be embedded within existing cohesion policy structures to maximize the potential of cohesion policy for strengthening the connection between the EU and citizens. The main questions addressed in this policy brief are:

The digital transformation in public services has changed how citizens use essential services. In many Nordic and Baltic countries, there is a lack of understanding of the effectiveness of digital inclusion initiatives. This case study collects learnings from Denmark’s public transport system, which has worked ambitiously with inclusion. It highlights best practices in digital inclusion, that can benefit similar initiatives across the Nordic-Baltic region. Rejsekort & Rejseplan A/S (RK), Denmark’s national e-ticketing system for public transport, launched a new app-based solution as part of its broader digitalisation strategy. In this case study, we examine RK’s journey in balancing digital innovation with the imperative of digital inclusion. The results showed that achieving digital inclusion requires a nuanced strategy, and in this case, including a physical alternative solution addressing the needs of vulnerable user groups, including older adults and people with disabilities. Lessons included building on existing knowledge on digital inclusion, maintaining continuous user involvement, conducting pilot testing, and ensuring inclusion across the entire user journey. Additionally, RK’s experience demonstrates the importance of internal organisational readiness and the need to balance technological innovation with user needs. Lastly, without sustained leadership focus, these initiatives risk losing internal traction. This case study offers valuable lessons for other Nordic and Baltic organisations, especially as they navigate similar digitalisation and transformation projects.

This final report captures four years of accumulated work by the Nordic Thematic Group for Green, Innovative, and Resilient Regions (2021–2024). Research topics include green innovation systems, remote work post-pandemic, competence mobility, socially sustainable tourism, and collaborative leadership. A wide range of outputs, from policy briefs to case studies and webinars, have been delivered during the course of the programme period. The collaborative approach has enhanced knowledge-sharing and policy-making, supporting the Nordic Council of Ministers’ vision to make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated in the world by 2030. BackgroundThe thematic group operates under the Nordic Co-operation Programme for Regional Development and Planning (2021–2024), with the following objectives: Participants included Nordregio researchers and national, regional, and cross-border representatives, who developed insights aligned with Nordic regional goals on competitiveness, labour markets, and freedom of movement. Research conclusions: ImpactThe group facilitated over 100 knowledge-sharing activities, including at the Nordregio Forum, webinars, and a roadshow of local and national level presentations. Outputs such as reports and case studies enhanced policy discussions, supported regional strategies, and advanced Nordic added value through shared learning and best practices. The work not only advances the Nordic vision but also strengthens networks and capacity for regional development, showcasing the strategic importance of collaboration across sectors and countries.

As regional challenges grow increasingly complex, successful collaboration becomes more vital. This report investigates the drivers, obstacles, and enablers of collaborative leadership, essential for addressing regional socio-economic challenges and fostering sustainable development in the Nordic region. This results of this report are grounded in the cooperative work of Nordic Thematic Group for Green, Innovative and Resilient Regions 2021-2024. Our research expands the concept of collaborative regional leadership, narrowing the focus on how regional institutions and stakeholders practically work together both currently and, in the future, to develop more effective policies, implement strategies, and drive forward ambitious projects. The study identifies factors that either enable or hinder collaboration and proposes a new model for fostering long-term, sustainable partnerships. Using data from a Nordic-wide survey and four in-depth case studies, the report zooms in on:   The research reveals that what often triggers collaboration – crisis, shared regional challenges, and policy shifts – there are critical common factors that frequently curb progress – limited resources, weak leadership, and fragmented policy frameworks. Successful collaborations rely on strong networks, clear leadership, and a culture of cooperation. Our findings emphasize the value of engaging diverse stakeholders and fostering trust to achieve sustainable outcomes. This report’s recommendations include creating long-term platforms for regional collaboration and investing in leadership development to strengthen multi-stakeholder initiatives. By synthesizing the experiences of Nordic regions, this report provides a practical framework for building resilient, collaborative ecosystems that support both regional development and the broader Nordic Vision 2030.

This publication is a culmination of the challenges, lessons learned, and good practices of cycling in the capital cities and regions of the Nordic countries. Derived from the research and discussions among network participants, this publication highlights eight common myths about the role of the bicycle as a mode of transport in the Nordic Region. Each myth is followed by an evidence-based rebuttal, confronting the inaccurate claims and uprooting the underlying problem. After each reality statement, we provide suggestions and good practices, based on both desk research and contributions from practitioners in the Nordic Cycle Power Network.