In recent decades, the educational landscape has become increasingly geographically diverse. Peripheral education—offered in smaller towns and rural areas—has emerged as a strategic tool for addressing social inequalities by improving access to education and enhancing labour market outcomes. It also supports local economies by meeting regional workforce needs and boosting place-based attractiveness and vitality through community engagement and collaboration with the surrounding society.
While peripheral education plays a vital role in local and regional development, it also faces significant challenges. Demographic shifts, youth outmigration, limited resources, and the small scale of operations create ongoing pressures for institutions operating in these contexts. In addition, evolving demands for new skills and more flexible study options present both opportunities and further complexities for these educational providers.
In this webinar, we will explore how to navigate these challenges and the potential of peripheral education as drivers of regional development. The webinar is aimed at educational providers seeking inspiration from effective approaches that can help institutions thrive, as well as civil servants and public authorities with an interest in education and regional development.
Programme
Welcome and Introduction
Miia Itänen, Senior Communications Advisor, Nordregio
EDYNORA Research Highlights: How can we create and sustain attractive educational environments in smaller towns and rural areas in the Nordic Region?
Eva Maersk, PhD, Research Consultant, Nordregio
Launch of the Nordic Higher Education and VET Portal: What can we learn from the mapping?
Anna Vasilevskaya, Cartographer/ GIS Analyst, Nordregio
What are the key ingredients for success–Place, People, or Programmes?
Peter Weiss, director, the University Centre of the Westfjords, Iceland
How is education responding to evolving skills demands and industry needs?
Fredrik Sandelin, Regional developer, Jakobstad Region Development Company Concordia, Finland
Panel discussion: What does ‘success’ look like for peripheral education in the Nordics? Is it about attracting young people, generating economic impact, creating local employment, or enhancing place attractiveness—or is it something more? This panel brings together perspectives from policy, research, and practice to explore the future of peripheral education.
Panelists:
– Dr Han Wang, Assistant Professor in Economic Geography, University of Southampton, Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics, United Kingdom
– Elina Kilpi-Jakonen, Professor of Sociology, INVEST Flagship, University of Turku, Finland
