Publications

Explore how communities can navigate the green transition — through play. Terra Nordica is an interactive role-play game that simulates land-use negotiations in fictional Nordic communities facing real-world dilemmas of the green transition. Players take on the role of local actors—municipal leaders, planners, and residents—tasked with making tough decisions about where to locate wind parks, how to invest revenues, and how to balance environmental, social, and economic considerations. The game draws directly on Nordregio’s research on just green transition, rural development, and land-use planning. It was developed as an alternative form of publication under the Nordic Thematic Group for Green and Inclusive Rural Development (2021–2024) to encourage dialogue, reflection, and learning in a more interactive format. It was played by a big group of policy makers for the first time at Nordregio Forum 2024. Set in richly imagined communities: from a fjordside Norwegian town to a Northern region navigating mining investments, the game invites players to test what fair and sustainable development might look like across different contexts. Game background and development Terra Nordica was designed by researcher Hilma Salonen, based on extensive Nordregio research, and developed in collaboration with Lisa Pelling (Arena Idé), Anne Katrine Ebbesen, Miia Itänen, Elin Slätmo and other colleagues. The game is designed for use in policy workshops, stakeholder dialogues, educational settings, or as a standalone learning tool. Game materials are freely available for download and print.All you need to play is a group of people, the printable kit, and a standard set of polyhedral dice. Step into the story. Negotiate the future. Reflect on what a just green transition really takes.

Food production is a cornerstone of Nordic societies and is undergoing major change due to the green transition. While this shift brings new opportunities for innovation and value creation in rural food systems, youth interest in agri-food careers is declining. Contributing factors include sectoral restructuring, technological shifts, demographic changes, urbanisation and the concentration of education and employment opportunities in cities. A 2024–2025 project funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers investigates how to strengthen youth participation in Nordic (and Baltic) food systems through literature review, workshops, surveys and a reference group of youth representatives in food production sectors. This policy brief presents suggested actions across five key recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders in the agri-food and education sectors to reverse the negative trend. These include: The policy brief also lists concrete activities and relevant actors to enable an effective take-up of the recommendations. Together, these actions can help unlock the potential of the next generation of food producers.

This report offers new insights into the challenges, strengths and opportunities of Nordic cities in their climate efforts. It highlights future measures for local, regional and national governments to take. It is the culmination of the Nordic Climate Neutral Cities (NCNC) project, which examines how cities in the Nordic Region are striving to achieve climate neutrality through spatial planning. Based on a multilevel governance approach and in-depth analysis of nine case studies – Aarhus and Vejle (Denmark), Tampere and Oulu (Finland), Reykjavík (Iceland), Trondheim and Kristiansand (Norway) and Lund and Växjö (Sweden) – the report provides new insights into governance challenges, financial constraints, regulatory barriers and spatial planning trade-offs. The report also highlights Nordic cities’ leadership, strong climate commitments and innovative local solutions. The findings underscore the need for improved governance coordination, stronger financial support and policy adjustments to accelerate climate action. While Nordic cities have demonstrated strong commitment to sustainability, they also often grapple with outdated national regulations that limit their ability to implement ambitious climate policies. Key takeaways for action include: Overall, achieving climate neutrality will require Nordic cities to unite the efforts of diverse stakeholders, align frameworks and incentives with a shared vision, address knowledge gaps and collaborate closely with other levels of government.

Connectivity powers everything from smart farming to remote healthcare. Yet rural areas remain underserved and understudied. This working paper identifies key indicators and policies for balancing business potential with social outcomes for Nordic-Baltic smart communities.

In recent decades, Nordic cities have witnessed a general trend towards increased urban segregation, which has led to a wide range of policy and planning interventions addressing these issues across the Nordic countries. Against this background, this report examines how Nordic governments and cities address challenges of urban segregation through various policies, strategies, and plans that seek to foster greater social inclusion. The report also explores how the state and municipalities interact, as well as how public sector organisations and other actors work together to tackle segregation and foster social inclusion. The study focuses on four main themes: The study relies on a multi-case study approach, investigating 13 city cases across the five Nordic countries.

It is time to transition to a more sustainable energy future, opening up new opportunities to own energy locally, together. Uppsala University and Nordregio have jointly produced this guide, which is aimed at those interested in creating projects for locally owned energy, as well as decision-makers or financiers who want to understand how you can support citizens in realising these projects. There is great potential in co-creating and owning energy at the local level: lower costs for residents, resilient communities and robust energy systems. Interest in community-owned energy projects is growing steadily, but there are still many questions and the process is difficult to navigate. This practical guide offers three steps to help communities move from concept to implementation, with practical lessons learnt from case studies, and references to resources. Despite a clear political will to support this transition, both at the EU and national levels, clear structures and political support are lacking. The guide, therefore, concludes with six recommendations for administration and policymakers at the local, regional, and national levels to help local energy projects flourish. This guide has also been published in Swedish, access it here.

This report aims to illustrate how ‘Industrial Symbiosis’ (IS) can be a useful concept and model to accelerate the transition towards the green and circular economy. As a point of departure, this report poses the question: ‘Why industrial symbiosis’? To answer it, the concept is unwrapped in connection to related concepts such as circular economy, green economy and valorisation. Furthermore, the report presents a snapshot of the development of industrial symbiosis in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), followed by more in-depth case studies in selected regions. The report, then, provides conclusions reflecting on the key factors that play a role in forging symbiotic connections between relevant stakeholders, and ends with a list of recommendations. Commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, this report contributes to the implementation of the EUSBSR PA Bioeconomy. External project consultant – Maija Kāle, Research Consultant at Nordregio, Research Fellow at the Baltic International Centre for Economic Policy Studie (BICEPS)

Det är dags att ställa om till en mer hållbar energiframtid, vilket öppnar upp för nya möjligheter för att äga energi lokalt, tillsammans. Uppsala universitet och Nordregio har tillsammans tagit fram denna guide, som riktar sig till de som är intresserad av att skapa projekt för lokalt ägd energi, samt till dig som är beslutsfattare eller finansiär och vill förstå hur du kan underlätta för medborgare att förverkliga dessa projekt.  Det finns stor potential i att gemensamt skapa och äga energi på lokal nivå: lägre kostnader för invånarna, resilienta lokalsamhällen och robusta energisystem. Intresset för lokalägda energiprojekt växer stadigt, men frågetecknen är fortfarande många, och processen svårnavigerad. Denna praktiska guide erbjuder tre steg för att hjälpa lokalsamhällen att gå från idé till genomförande, med praktiska lärdomar från fallstudier, och hänvisningar till resurser. Trots en uttalad politisk vilja att stödja denna omställning, både på EU-nivå och nationellt, saknas tydliga strukturer och politiskt stöd. Guiden avslutas därför med sex rekommendationerna till finansiärer samt beslutsfattare på lokal, regional och nationell nivå, för att hjälpa lokala energiprojekt att blomstra.

Gotland’s innovative biogas project turns organic waste into fuel for cars and buses, combating climate change and fostering a cleaner, sustainable society. With farmers, industries, households, and even the municipality contributing to biogas production, the initiative builds a collaborative spirit on the island. The sustainable initiative brings multiple benefits to the local community. While EU regulations restrict food crops for biofuel production, and a market skewed towards electric vehicles, local entrepreneurs address this by promoting biogas car sales and conversion of regular cars to biogas systems, demonstrating how local initiatives can address global sustainability challenges. Next up: biogas-fuelled ferries? Local ownership and collaboration are vital in renewable energy projects. Read more about how Biogas Gotland realised its plans and the lessons learned from successful local ownership of sustainable energy.

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.

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.

On the popular holiday island of Gotland, off Sweden’s southeast coast, community-driven initiative Austerland Energi is building a solar energy park, enabling local energy generation, storage, sharing, and use. The sparsely populated Östergarnslandet has 3,700 households, but only one-third are occupied by permanent residents, and the rest belong to second home owners. Austerland Energi is a community-driven energy project that just established its solar energy park as a local manifestation of the Paris Agreement. The initiative builds on previous successful local projects, such as a water and sewage system, a fibre network, and a community centre conversion. Learn how engaged residents are shaping their community’s future through this local energy transition, beginning with their community-owned solar park.

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 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.

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.

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, energiförsörjning, försörjning av råmaterial (främst mineraler och metaller), samt tillgång till (offentlig) service. This policy brief 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. The policy brief is also available in English. For more, 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 specificities 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. Download a one-pager The roadmap is also available in:

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. The policy brief is also available in Finnish, Icelandic and Swedish, browse the digital edition or download a pdf version with the links below: 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.

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.