Publications

Den här rapporten är del av ett nordiskt projekt vars övergripande syfte har varit att undersöka hur regionalpolitik på bästa sätt kan bidra till att tillgodose civil beredskap och robusthet i nordiska landsbygder under perioder av kris. I det nya risklandskapet är ett robust samhälle, med kapacitet att stå emot och hantera både miljökatastrofer och mänskligt orsakade kriser, högst eftersträvansvärt. Regioner och kommuner kan bidra till robusthet och civil beredskap genom att upprätthålla samarbetsförmåga och utveckla innovativa lösningar för en hållbar omställning, tillika säkra tillgången till mat, råmaterial, energi och service för sina invånare, både i fredstid och i perioder av kris. Inom ramen för studien definieras civil beredskap genom följande aspekter: förebyggande och trygghetsskapande åtgärder i samhället, räddningstjänst och krisberedskap, matsäkerhet inklusive livsmedelsförsörjning, jordbruk och matproduktion, energiförsörjning, försörjning av råmaterial (främst mineraler och metaller), samt tillgång till (offentlig) service. This report is part of a Nordic project ‘Robust Regional Preparedness‘ analysing how regional policy can contribute to civil preparedness and robustness in Nordic rural areas during periods of crisis. In the current risk landscape characterised by both environmental disasters and man-made crises, regions and municipalities can also contribute to robustness and civil preparedness by maintaining cooperation and developing innovative solutions for a sustainable transition, while also securing access to food, raw materials, energy and services for their residents, both in peacetime and in periods of crisis. Read the policy brief (in Swedish) and see the additional resources (linked below) from the project for details.

Nordic rural areas are facing complex, interconnected challenges, from labour shortages and shrinking populations to green, digital, and remote work transitions. At the same time, these challenges offer an opportunity to recognise the diversity of Nordic rural areas and at even leverage and build on local specifities to pave the way towards the future. The Roadmap for Nordic Rural Development builds on and summarises the work of the Nordic Thematic Group on Green and Inclusive Rural Development (2021–2024). Drawing from discussions, workshops, and project results, the roadmap highlights the Nordic added value of recent initiatives, outlines overarching themes for rural development, and proposes future thematic areas and projects for exploration. Explore the interactive storymap to discover innovative policy solutions for mobile living and working, place-based approaches, strengthened administrative capacity, and genuine stakeholder involvement—all designed to foster sustainable and inclusive rural development. The roadmap outlines strategies and solutions for the future, as well as the key findings and recommendations from projects focused on rural development and points towards remaining challenges and questions to be addressed going forward.

This Policy Brief presents WANO (Waste Management in the High North) project activities in 2024 and summarizes the major results and findings. The WANO project group suggests recommendations for  further development of municipal waste management in north Norway. WANO (Waste Management in the High North) is a research project in 2021-2024 funded by the Norwegian Research Council (NFR) and includes the partners NORCE Norwegian Research Centre (the lead partner), Nordregio, Remiks Miljøpark AS, and Hålogaland Ressursselskap (HRS) IKS. The project generates new research-based knowledge on the conditions for innovation-driven, cross-border cooperation in the northernmost regions of Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Could electric aviation contribute to mitigating the climate impact of aviation? If so, what open questions and challenges need to be addressed before electric aviation can become a reality in the Nordic Region? This policy brief outlines the main obstacles to implementing electric aviation in the Nordic region and introduces actionable solutions and a roadmap with steps towards making electric aviation reality in the coming years. In this policy brief, you will find: This policy brief has been produced as a part of the Electric aviation and the effects on the Nordic regions project that looks into the effects of electric aviation on Nordic regional development. The project is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The partners include Nordregio, Nordic Energy Research and the University of Akureyri.

Latest research and implications for planners and policymakers This report examines how remote work is reshaping urban and regional development in the Nordic Region, highlighting remote work’s influence on residential preferences, mobility, workforce distribution, and the attractiveness of rural areas. Six thematic areas are identified as having a spatial impact: transportation, urban-rural linkages, digital nomadism, co-working spaces, housing, urban cores, and polycentric cities. Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has changed how people live and work. Since 2021, Nordregio has studied the tools and policies used in Nordic countries to support remote work. This report aims to discuss the research results within Nordregio’s Remote work and multilocality post-pandemic project and the latest international literature exploring the spatial implications of remote work. In doing so, we understand how remote work can be integrated into urban and regional development, planning, and policymaking within the Nordic Region. We identified six thematic areas in which remote work practices are making a spatial influence on urban, rural, and regional development: (1) challenges and opportunities for transportation, (2) urban-rural linkages, (3) digital nomadism, co-working spaces, and third places, (4) attractive and affordable housing fit for work-live arrangements, (5) impacts on urban cores, and (6) polycentric cities and the 15-minute city ideal. The report provides a discussion of planning and policy implications, categorised under three areas: transportation, the built environment, and sustainability. The report highlights several recommendations, such as to safeguard public transport, support investments in measures to boost small-town and rural attractiveness, encourage development according to work-live (mixed-use) designs and 15-minute city principles, promote a diverse and affordable housing supply, enable access to digital infrastructure, plan for residents who also do not have the possibility to work remotely, and reconsider research frameworks and data collection based on the unique spatial patterns of remote work.

This report explores strategies to alleviate rural labour shortages across Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Åland. It includes an overview of trends driving rural labour shortages, country-specific national outlooks, and a thematic review that highlights commonalities and differences in rural workforce challenges across the Nordic region. The key questions tackled in the report include: Based on the analyses, the report introduces six strategies for addressing rural labour shortages in the Nordic region: These strategies emphasise the need for tailored, region-specific approaches to meet varying local labour market needs. The report is an outcome of the Nordic ‘Strategies to Address Nordic Rural Labour Shortage‘ project, which aims to fill knowledge gaps concerning strategies for addressing rural labour shortages, their regional variations, and the sectors particularly affected by such shortages. The project has been carried out in the framework of the Nordic Thematic Group on Green and Inclusive Rural Development (2021-2024).

What are the regional environmental impacts of the next generation electric aircraft in the Nordic Region? Transport – and more specifically, aviation – is a key to fostering connectivity and accessibility, as well as promoting integration across the Nordic Region. But with what kind of environmental impact? Could electric aviation be a solution towards more sustainable transport? This storymap takes stock of the environmental impacts of aviation and explores how electric aviation could contribute to making flying more sustainable. Electric aviation is an emerging sector in the Nordic countries, showing great potential as a key element in connecting the region’s diverse and remote areas. The development of electric planes marks a significant step toward more sustainable aviation. Besides connectivity, electric aviation can offer social benefits, such as improved access to healthcare and education, while increasing the region’s appeal to young people and potential migrants. It can also spark opportunities for technological innovation and high-tech advanced in local industries. However, challenges still remain, as both the production and charging phases still carry an environmental impact. As technology advances, more analysis is needed to better grasp the long-term implications of electric aviation. This storymap has been produced as a part of the Electric aviation and the effects on the Nordic regions project that looks into the effects of electric aviation on Nordic regional development. The project is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The partners include Nordregio, Nordic Energy Research and the University of Akureyri.

This policy brief explores the current status, key characteristics, and distribution of peripheral higher education institutions located in smaller towns and rural regions across the Nordic countries. It aims to increase knowledge about the types of students who are attracted to these institutions and the factors influencing their choices. The analysis in this policy brief draws on statistical data, a literature review, results from focus group discussions, and a survey conducted among young adults in the Nordic countries.    The policy brief from the EDYNORA project highlights the vital role of Peripheral higher education institutions (PHEIs) in local and regional development, highlighting their influence as shapers of places and culture. PHEIs complement major university towns and capital regions by enabling rural youth to access education close to home or with minimal travel, ensuring they are not left behind in accessing quality education and opportunities. The findings emphasize that strategic planning for PHEIs must account for the distinct demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the Nordic regions where they operate.

This working paper analyses the territorial differences in household wealth across the Nordic Region. It examines the distribution and development of income inequality across the Nordics between 2005 and 2022, focusing especially on disparities at the municipal level and offers insights into the complex dynamics of income inequality in the Nordic Region. This working paper presents empirical evidence on the development of income inequalities in the Nordic countries and self-governing territories during the first decades of the 21st century (2005-2022). The analysis focuses on the social and territorial expressions of socio-economic inequalities, considering income differentials within and between territorial units. The exploration builds on data collected at themunicipal level in Åland, Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Norway and Sweden, at the regional level in the Faroe Islands and for Statistical Output Areas in Iceland. The analysis pays particular attention to the development of household income in rural and urban areas since the pre-2007 financial crisis. The discussion also sheds light on the relationship between average income levels and living standards in the various municipalities, as well as their respective levels of income inequality, exploring whether those two dimensions reinforce each other, meaning that greater levels of affluence lead to greater levels of inequality. The contribution of income inequalities within and between municipalities to inequality at societal level is also addressed. The paper is a part of the project “Ensuring inclusive economic growth in the transition to a green economy (EnIGG)”. The project analyses how the Nordic countries can accelerate the green transition towards a climate-neutral economy. The paper is part of a working package that looks into the distributive effects of climate policies and analyses how gaps between richer and poorer population groups and regions have developed since the last economic crisis.

What does it take to build a robust society that can withstand crises? Draw inspiration from a selection of good practice examples on civil preparedness and crisis response in the Nordics. Take a tour across the Nordic Region and learn more about inspiring initiatives in different parts of the Nordics to enhance civil preparedness, resilience and crisis response capacities at the local level. The examples cover measures ranging from dealing with extreme weather, to addressing food security, energy provision, raw materials, as well as access to public services and essential infrastructure.  The storymap showcases a selection of 24 examples of civil preparedness and crisis response in the Nordics. The examples illustrate the broad scope of regional civil preparedness initiatives in the Nordic Region and highlight the diversity of contributions from public authorities at the level of the state, regions and municipalities, as well as private businesses and civil society organisations. They also emphasise the key role of cooperation between individuals, colleagues, sectors in a municipality, between municipalities, between sectors in the region, between regions, within the state, as well as between states. This storymap has been produced as a part of the Robust Regional Preparedness project that explores how regional policies in the Nordic countries can enhance civil preparedness and resilience during crises.

Measuring sustainable tourism doesn’t just mean looking at the natural environment. Travel destinations have to be livable and functional for the permanent residents who help make them so attractive in the first place. This report examines the integration of social sustainability within the national tourism policies of the Nordic countries, focusing on how these policies address the social dimensions of sustainable tourism. As tourism continues to grow in the Nordic region, the economic benefits of tourism have to be balanced with the environmental and social impacts, to ensure the well-being of local communities and the preservation of cultural heritage. Tourism plays a crucial role in the development of the Nordic region, offering significant opportunities for growth and job creation. However, the rapid expansion of the tourism industry has also brought challenges such as overtourism, environmental degradation, and social disruptions. The project this report belongs to, aims to explore how the Nordic countries are addressing these challenges by integrating social sustainability into their tourism policies. The concept of socially sustainable tourism encompasses various aspects, including community engagement, cultural preservation, social equity, and the well-being of local populations. By examining the national tourism policies of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland, this report seeks to identify common themes and specific strategies employed by these countries to promote socially sustainable tourism. The analysis is based on a comprehensive literature review, policy review, and case studies, providing a holistic understanding of the current state of social sustainability in Nordic tourism. The findings highlight the importance of community involvement in tourism planning and development, the need for equitable distribution of tourism benefits, and the role of cultural preservation in maintaining the unique identity of the Nordic region. This report serves as a foundational document for further research on the more…

State of the Nordic Region 2024 takes stock of the latest trends and developments in demography, labour market and economy in the Nordic countries, regions, municipalities, and cities. This year’s report marks the 20th edition of the State of the Nordic Region, a bi-annually published report that provides a Nordic panorama of regional development trends in the Nordic countries based on the latest statistical data, maps and analyses. Watch the video from the online launch event (19 June) to get an overview of the report highlights. The State of the Nordic Region 2024 presents a collection of maps, figures and analysis within three core areas: demography, labour market, and economy, as well as a newly updated Regional Potential Index. DEMOGRAPHY What are the latest demographic trends in the Nordic Region? What kind of impact did the pandemic have on different aspects of demographic development? The demography section compiles insights from population statistics on mortality and birth, population change and migration in the Nordic Region based on the most recent available data.   Ch 1: Population change beyond the pandemic Ch 2: Fertility decline in the Nordic Region Ch 3: The Nordic geography of diversity LABOUR MARKET What kind of labour market trends are the most prevalent in the Nordic Region at the moment? How has the labour market recovered since the pandemic? Do we have the necessary skills and compe­tences to remain competitive in the future? And how is the green transition shaping the labour market? The labour market section tackles the latest developments of the labour market from different perspectives. Ch 4: The Nordic labour market after the pandemic Ch 5: Challenges of labour shortages and skills provision Ch 6: Green transition of the labour market ECONOMY Achieving sustainable, long-term regional development requires that economic, environmental, and social aspects are…

This working paper explores the factors driving political discontent and changes in the electoral behaviour across the Nordic Region. It serves as a conceptual overview of the topic by taking stock of the combination of factors that are driving discontent and geographies of discontent in the Western liberal democracies and in the Nordic Region specifically. The 2010s have seen a rise of the age of discontent, including political and anti-government protests, as well as changes in the electoral behaviour. While voter turnout has continued to decline throughout the recent years in the West, there has also been a rise in votes cast for non-traditional and in some cases new parties. This has often been referred to as the most distinct expression of political discontent. The root causes and drivers of the anti-government sentiment are complex. The driving forces include the economic and structural changes that have increased the vulnerability of individuals and territories. The resulting inequalities and socio-cultural divides between people and places give rise to discontent and dissatisfaction, particularly within places that feel left behind. While the key factors driving geographies of discontent elsewhere in the West can also be found in the Nordic Region, further analysis is required to ascertain whether discontent in the region is primarily driven by territorial or interpersonal inequality. The paper is a part of the project “Ensuring inclusive economic growth in the transition to a green economy (EnIGG)”. The project analyses how the Nordic countries can accelerate the green transition towards a climate-neutral economy. The paper is part of a working package that looks into the distributive effects of climate policies and analyses how gaps between richer and poorer population groups and regions have developed since the last economic crisis.

Citizens are trying to establish a locally owned windmill, as an act to unite the island and for a sustainable future. Explore the steps they took, the hurdles they faced, and the lessons learned in this storymap.   Bornholm, a rural island in south-east Denmark near southern Sweden, has a stable population of around 39,600 people. We interviewed 8 of them to learn more about how they are striving to unite the island around an offshore, near-coast windmill park outside of Bornholm (100 MW).

With a strategic approach to marketing, even a small municipality can create buzz. Pyhtää’s goal is to be the prototype of a successful small municipality in Finland. Over the past 20 years, Pyhtää has witnessed a transformative journey from a rural community to a more urbanized and innovative municipality. During this transformation, Pyhtää has taken on a strategy to redefine itself as an innovative, vital municipality successfully attracting attention and new residents, including inhabitants from the bigger cities of Helsinki and Kotka. Pyhtää markets itself with great services within walking distance, affordable and spacious housing, beautiful nature areas with two national parks, a diverse cultural scene, good schools, libraries, and health services. There is even an airport in the area – though only used for smaller planes – but it’s the only airport like this near the capital region of Helsinki. Pyhtää finds it important to invest in the well-being of the inhabitants, as well as in new residential areas and new industries or businesses to attract new inhabitants.

Explore the significance of small-scale hydropower and local energy production in a complex institutional landscape. Small hydropower plants are vital in Sweden’s energy landscape, particularly in regions such as Värmland. With Sweden needing to meet new EU environmental rules, these small plants face big changes. Discover how Henrik Nisser’s farm in Alstrum uses one of these small plants to power not just his own farm but also to give electricity to houses nearby, showing a real-life example of local energy solutions at work.

This report presents the grid-based Nordic urban–rural typology, a tool for studying spatial phenomena across Nordic territories. Through seven different typology classes based on different degrees of urbanity and rurality, the typology helps to provide a more nuanced and fine-grained understanding of territorial differences across the Nordic countries. The report show that the Nordic countries are predominantly rural when considering how their land areas are classified. However, settlement is unevenly distributed in all Nordic countries, with the majority of people living in urban areas. The analysis shows that urbanisation has been a general trend the past couple of decades, with peri-urban areas growing too. Rural areas have faced depopulation in general, apart from rural areas in the vicinity of cities, which have become more attractive. The Nordic urban-rural typology and more fine-grained data can help reveal territorial differences that cannot be observed with more general statistics and data. This grid-based typology shows that many municipalities are at the same time both urban, intermediate, and rural, and in many cases these different categories seem to be undergoing quite different types of development.

Discover Dalir, Iceland, where co-creation has breathed new life into the community focusing on involving diverse social groups. This storymap highlights the Fragile Communities project in Búðardalur, a small town in Dalir, Iceland. The project aimed to prevent the decline of remote municipalities through community empowerment and tourism development. It encourages local participation in addressing issues like housing and infrastructure, and seeks to improve local well-being and identity through workshops, grants, and cooperative projects. It also details Dalir’s unique approach to adapting to population decline and the importance of community mobilization and identity rediscovery.

For most of the Nordic countries, fisheries and aquaculture are important economic sectors. Their labour markets are however male-dominated, and strongly gender-segregated. This report serves as a critical resource for understanding the current state of gender equality in the maritime sector. It offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, industry leaders, and educational institutions to promote gender equality and harness the potential and value of women in this field.

This policy brief addresses the challenges and opportunities of the green transition in Nordic rural areas, emphasizing the need for more fair approaches. It underscores the significance of involving local communities in renewable energy projects. The urgency of climate change, economic shifts, and recent energy crises has highlighted the need for the green transition, with a particular focus on Nordic rural areas playing a key role in developing renewable energy. However, there’s concern that this transition might increase existing differences between urban and rural areas. Evidence suggests that people in rural regions feel they might be neglected, which could put fair green transitions and the achievement of climate goals at risk. The policy brief from the Just Green Transition in Rural Areas project emphasises the need to involve local communities in green projects to encourage a sense of ownership and fairness. It calls for early community involvement, clear communication, inclusive compensation strategies, recognition of non-monetary benefits, and using the flexibility of rural municipalities to their advantage. As Nordic rural areas face multiple changes, collaboration across different sectors is vital to ensure fairness and effectiveness in green initiatives, potentially making rural areas pioneers rather than followers in the transition. The policy brief is based on the case study report “Can local value creation induce a sense of justice during green transitions? A study of six rural areas in Denmark, Finland, and Norway.”