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Nordic rural areas: Just tools or true beneficiaries in green energy projects?

Green transitions in the Nordics are reshaping the landscape of renewable energy and sustainability. As the push for green transitions grows stronger, rural communities face a question: Are they just tools for national objectives, or do they genuinely benefit from these changes? A new Nordregio report delves deep into the heart of the matter, examining the dynamics of justice, local value, and the role of renewable energy projects. Can local value creation induce a sense of justice during green transitions? A study of six rural areas in Denmark, Finland, and Norway The accelerating impacts of climate change, the need to adapt to changing economic and political realities, and the recent energy crisis have made the green transition something that most Nordic citizens acknowledge. However, especially rural areas and their communities are at risk of being reduced to passive instruments of national green transition measures featuring heavy land-use. These conditions make it very difficult to create a sense of justness in green transitions, leading to growing sense of alienation and resentment and putting the national climate goals in danger. From this starting point, the case studies of the research project Just Green Transition on Rural Areas: Local Benefits from Value Creation set out to examine what kind of benefits would generate value from green transition measures in the direct impact zone of new energy projects. The case studies took place in three Nordic countries and six locations: in Northern Ostrobothnia and Northern Central Finland of Finland, involving wind power and land use planning; in Nord-Fron and Nord-Odal in Norway, involving both wind power and strategic sustainability work; and in Skive and Bornholm of Denmark, involving a hybrid mix of renewable energy sources in the context of industrial park development. Big decisions about green energy often overlook what locals really need. Unrealistic…

“We don’t call it waste anymore – we call it resources”

What started with a problem is now an opportunity. Sotenäs municipality’s industrial symbiosis initiative showcases a successful example of how collaboration between businesses and institutions can help materialise a circular economy. Their Center of Symbiosis now serves as inspiration for many, including the latest visitors from Lithuania, in the context of the BioBaltic project led by Nordregio. Nordregio, together with the Nordic Council of Ministers office in Lithuania and academic partners organised a visit to Sotenäs with guests from Lithuania, including local authorities, chambers of commerce, innovation agency and academia. The aim was both to learn about Sotenäs experience and to reflect about the potential of industrial symbiosis in Lithuania. A journey towards industrial symbiosis  Located on Sweden’s west coast in Västra Götaland region, Sotenäs municipality has taken a giant leap forward towards sustainability. The journey began by acknowledging the environmental impact of the local industry and, rather than dwelling on the problems, local stakeholders focused on the opportunities of transforming waste into resources. Their keyword became ‘symbiosis’. Home to some of Sweden’s largest fish industries, including Orkla Foods Sweden AB, Lerøy Smögen Seafood AB and Marenor AB, significant residues found their way onto the sea. However, tightened EU regulations put doubts about the companies’ future development and operations in Sotenäs. It is in this context that the idea of establishing a biogas plant, Renahav AB, came about, which is now the backbone sustaining the symbiotic relations between different industries.  This is how it works in short: the fish industries deliver their waste to Renahav biogas plant, which in turn generates energy for the industries operations, and biogas digestate, which is used as biofertiliser to grow organic rapeseed and other crops at Klevs farms. After these initial symbiotic links, new companies emerged and linked to the network, such as the…

Zooming in on Gen Z: What’s next for the Nordic Region?

The upcoming Nordregio Forum 2023, set to take place in Reykjavík and online in October, turns the spotlight on the young generation of the Nordic region. This year’s forum aims to delve into the perspectives of young Nordics, as they navigate career choices, sustainability challenges, and where to settle down. The choices of these young individuals will significantly influence the Nordic region’s future development. Given this, understanding their aspirations, mobility trends, and views on sustainability is crucial for integrating their perspectives into effective policymaking and planning. During the event, young representatives participate in panel discussions to elevate the opinions of youth on topics such as ‘Youth as partners in the green transition – building sustainable communities’ and ‘What does GenZ need to stay in the Nordics? Nordregio Forum serves as an essential gathering for professionals and policymakers in the Nordic countries, offering a platform to discuss regional, rural, and urban development, share knowledge, and influence policy agendas. “This year’s Nordregio Forum is not just about recognizing the fresh ideas from our youth. It’s crucial we bring them to the decision-making table, ensuring their voices are not just heard but are influential. We are actively working with them for a sustainable Nordic future”, says Rolf Elmér, Director of Nordregio. The event is slated for October 17th, 2023, with physical participation at Iðnó in Reykjavík, while a broader audience can join online. As youth prepare to shape the region’s direction, the forum presents a unique chance to listen to their voices and weave their insights into upcoming strategies. Registration is currently open for those keen to join the dialogue and shape the Nordic region’s path forward. Summary of Nordregio Forum 2023 Programme: Opening remarks by the moderator and Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, the Icelandic Minister of Infrastructure Session 1: Entering the Nordic labour market…

Swedish Minister for Nordic Cooperation Visits Nordregio

Earlier this week we were honored to have Jessika Roswall, the Swedish Minister for Nordic Cooperation, visit Nordregio. The informal meeting was an opportunity for Nordregio to showcase its contributions to Nordic cooperation and present the findings and recommendations from our research on cross-border mobility and transport infrastructure planning. “Research and facts are key to convincing people of the importance of Nordic collaboration,” stated Minister Roswall. A sentiment shared by our team, who have long championed using research as a tool to drive positive change in the Nordic region. During the meeting, Director Rolf Elmér and Research Director Karen Refsgaard explored Nordregio’s role in Nordic collaboration and the concept of Nordic added value. Our Senior Cartographer Gustaf Norlén delved into the realm of statistics and maps, asking how integrated is the Nordic labor market? He noted that it has been possible to work in another Nordic country since the establishment of the joint Nordic labour market in the 1950s. However, our research shows only 1.7% of the working-age population work in a different Nordic country from the one in which they were born, and only 0.5 % commute to a job in another Nordic country. This is below the EU average of 1%. Senior Research Fellow Anna Lundgren went on to explain that maintaining Nordic freedom of movement, including in practice, and removing obstacles are important for securing a better integrated and sustainable Nordic region. She presented three policy recommendations from our project Re-start competence mobility in the Nordic Region. The discussion then turned to facilitating cross-border transport infrastructure planning in the Nordic Region. Anna Lundgren elaborated on our recent report that provides empirical data and a forward-looking analysis on the issue, noting that the interest of the national governments in prioritising Nordic political cooperation in the field of transport…
  • 2023 September

Sustainable Maritime Spatial Planning in Stockholm

The eMSP NBSR project – Emerging Ecosystem-Based Maritime Spatial Planning Topics in the North and Baltic Sea Regions, is making waves in the realm of maritime spatial planning (MSP) with two crucial gatherings scheduled in Stockholm next week. The project, which unites national and regional authorities, research organizations, and intergovernmental cooperations from the North and Baltic Sea Regions, aims to address climate change and achieve climate-neutrality targets through MSP. Recommendations for MSP authorities and stakeholders On September 20-21, stakeholders of the eMSP NBSR project will convene for a high-impact Policy Brief & Synthesis Workshop at Nordregio. This interactive session will focus on the outcomes of the five Learning Strands and horizontal themes, including Climate Change and the EU Green Deal. The event will focus on the development of policy briefs, and feature stimulating presentations by renowned external experts, from VASAB, among others. VASAB is an intergovernmental multilateral co-operation of the Baltic Sea Region in spatial planning and development. The Community of Practice (CoP) model helps to facilitate collaboration among policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. Through CoPs, the project’s Learning Strands focus on critical maritime spatial planning areas, incorporating science, innovation, and expertise in the following five key emerging topics: During the Stockholm workshop, the Learning Strands will get the chance to develop their work and collaboration – promising interesting discussions and insights. A Prelude to Innovation: Community of Practice on Sustainable Blue Economy The collaboration will kick off on September 19 with a “Community of Practice on Sustainable Blue Economy.” This session, dedicated to exploring multi-use strategies and policy recommendations for a sustainable blue economy in the North and Baltic seas, will employ marine spatial planning and legislation as tools for progress. Building on insights from previous Community of Practice meetings, this gathering will present a policy brief. This document compiles…

Are tenures between owning and renting a solution for those struggling to enter the housing market?

Skyrocketing housing prices mean that those who wish to buy a home ­- either because they have an explicit wish to own their home or because they do not get access to the rental market – often have to save up large sums for a down payment. This might be a challenge for young people and others with limited savings, such as lone parents, divorcees and pensioners. In a first publication in the Oslo Metropolitan University-led project Strategic Housing, a joint study between Nordregio and KTH looks into Swedish housing models between renting and owning. Two shared ownership and two cooperative rental models are analysed from legal and economic perspectives to see to what extent and subject to what risks these intermediary tenures add to housing opportunities of lower and mid-income groups. Findings indicate that buyers benefitting from the models are mainly medium-income households without large enough savings to buy into the regular housing market. For these households, the concepts might be an opportunity to access housing they could otherwise not aspire to. However, legal and financial literacy among buyers is partly limited, which should be addressed as far as possible by developers going forward. Further, legal considerations in relation to agreements in the shared ownership models and untested new variants of cooperative rental might arise as models are used and tested in the coming years. The obstacles preventing developers from expanding the concepts, mainly access to land and financing, can only be addressed by interested municipalities and financial institutions. An extensive information effort by developers and successful projects are probably needed to move towards recognition and institutionalization of the concepts. The full research paper has been published open access in the Nordic Journal of Urban Studies. Hear Anna Granath Hansson in the radio programme Plånboken on P1 and Bopolpodden.

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Future Urban Agriculture Webinars in Rīga: Exploring the Path to Sustainable Cities

Early in June, Nordregio researchers Luciane Aguiar Borges and Alix Vuithier took part in a special webinar series in Riga where experts and enthusiasts delved into the future of urban agriculture. Organised by the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) Office in Latvia and Nordregio, as part of the Urban Agriculture for Resilient Future project, the series discussed three crucial topics: Legislation and Innovation, Culture and Community, and Education and Science. The first two webinars took place on 8 June at the NCM office in Rīga. Luciane Aguiar Borges, in her opening presentation, discussed the key challenges and opportunities of cultivating food in urban environments. Panelists, including Maria Lennartsson from Stockholm Stad, Björn Oliviusson, a Stockholm-based entrepreneur, and Arne Sæbø from the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), shared their perspectives on pressing issues such as reducing food waste, promoting short food cycles, and minimizing environmental impact. The second webinar focused on the intersection of urban gardening and community engagement, with Malm Nordlund from Dodo in Finland, Mārtiņš Eņģelis from Rīga, and Hege Giske from Svalbard providing valuable insights. On 9 June, the final seminar was held at the LAMPA Democracy Festival in Cēsis. Moderated by Maija Kāle from NCM Latvia, the discussion featured researchers and practitioners from both private and public institutions, shedding light on complex issues related to understanding, promoting, and implementing urban agriculture. Speakers including Kyösti Lempa from NordForsk, Donatella Acquaviva from Campus Roslagen, Trine Hvoslef-Eide from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), and Liga Lepse from Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) shared their experiences and thoughts on the need for new competencies and skills to effectively implement urban agriculture. Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, who attended the festival expressed her joy in witnessing collaboration across Nordic institutions to…
  • 2023 July

Better knowledge for better rural policies – GRANULAR defines its next steps

Nordregio is a part of GRANULAR, a project that generates new datasets, tools and methods to understand the characteristics, dynamics and drivers of rural areas. The GRANULAR “Living Labs” bring together local actors from France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom to co-design, test and validate GRANULAR work. The aim is to support digital, economic, and ecological transitions in rural areas, understand and inform about rural diversity and empower them to engage in just, carbon-neutral, and inclusive transitions. In short: better knowledge for better rural policies. During the workshop held in Ede-Wageningen, Netherlands on June 19th and 20th, researchers and local actors discussed key factors, data gaps, and potential solutions. Strategies for climate neutrality and a Just Transition To achieve a just transition, strategies should combine adaptation and mitigation measures, addressing challenges such as social acceptability and ensuring a fair transition process. Rural areas can both contribute to and benefit from climate neutrality. There are substantial potentials in the residential, infrastructure, transport and renewable energy sectors, together with a circular bioeconomy. Rural Resilience In terms of rural resilience, participants identified social learning processes, institutional capacity, and economic diversity as crucial components. Policymakers need to consider the interconnectedness of the local economy, environment, and community, while also establishing clear and measurable ways to concretize rural resilience. Addressing Sustainable Food Systems The workshop also discussed sustainable food systems, emphasizing the importance of food security, self-reliance, and accessibility to high-quality food. Participants recognized regional variations in food production and self-supply, as well as the trade-offs involved in decision-making. Moving Forward with GRANULAR The workshop’s outcomes provide valuable insights for policymakers and researchers involved in the GRANULAR project. It highlights the need for comprehensive data, indicators, and tools to inform decision-making in these areas. The findings also contribute to the development…

Meet Nordregio in Almedalen 2023

Nordregio will be participating in the biggest political festival in Sweden, Almedalen, on 27 and 28 of June to address crucial topics stemming from our research. Join us to shape a sustainable and integrated Nordic future. Like the rest of the world, the Nordic region faces severe threats and problems. What potential solutions are there? Nordregio will present the latest data on attitudes toward the green transition and dive into a conversation about the employer’s role in integration, and more. Join us in the Nordic tent on Strandvägen 4, Strands veranda, Wisby Strand. Critical labour shortage – can foreign-born people be the solution? 28 June 10:00 – 10:45 in the Nordic Tent, co-hosted with Nordic Welfare Center Labour shortages are at a record high in Sweden – despite economic uncertainty. Health care, social services, and heavy industry are among the sectors worst affected. The situation is exacerbated by large-scale retirements, an acute problem shared by the other Nordic countries. But maybe there is a solution already available? How do we get more employers to see unemployed immigrants as a resource? What are the benefits and barriers? What can the Nordic countries learn from each other to improve matching and reduce discrimination in the labour market? Participants: The green transition concerns us all – but how do we make it just for everyone? 28 June 13:00 – 13:45 in the Nordic Tent The green transition should be just, with some groups not suffering more than others. But what is it like in practice? Is it country versus city, young versus old, rich versus poor? Do we see differences between the Nordic countries? And how should we go about finding fair solutions? A recent report from Nordregio, based on a survey with over 5000 Nordic citizens, shows that there are clear differences…

How to boost labour market mobility across the Nordics?

Did you know that less than 2% work in another Nordic country than the one where they were born, and only 0.5 % commute over a Nordic border for work? The opportunity to work in another Nordic country has existed for over 70 years. However, the labour market mobility in the Nordic region is lower than the EU average. “Cross-border labour market mobility is extensive in certain areas, for example, the Öresund region. To achieve the Nordic vision, labour market mobility should be facilitated on a much larger scale,” says Anna Lundgren, Senior Research Fellow at Nordregio. To understand the phenomenon better, Nordregio researchers analysed the labour market mobility, opportunities and obstacles in various ways – through publicly available statistics, interviews with people with labour market experience across the Nordics and a workshop including policymakers. “Everyone seems to know the benefits and great possibilities of Nordic labour mobility. The policymakers are also familiar with the main obstacles that relevant stakeholders at the border regions have pointed out for years. Still, a political commitment at the highest levels seems lacking regarding Nordic mobility. In times of crisis, this becomes particularly clear,” says Ágúst Bogason, one of the researchers behind the study. He bases this assumption on the results of close to 40 interviews with relevant stakeholders on both sides of three Nordic border regions. What’s the scope of the Nordic competence mobility? Why do Nordic people choose to work in another Nordic country? The story map “Competence Mobility” examines why people choose to work in another Nordic country and why not. Welcome to explore facts about the Nordic labour market mobility and stories of people experiencing Nordic labour market mobility in Greater Copenhagen, Greenland and Vestfold Telemark. How could policies steer the Nordic labour market mobility? About the project The project…

Nordic transport infrastructure: how to strengthen the cross-border planning?

Transport infrastructure, historically, has been a cornerstone for industrialisation, economic growth, regional development and labour market mobility in the Nordic Region. Despite the ambitious Nordic vision of becoming the most integrated and sustainable region in the world and the increasing need for cross-border transport infrastructure, several studies point to difficulties and challenges regarding the Nordic cross-border transport infrastructure planning. Nordregio and Umeå University researchers conducted a project analysing how to strengthen the cross-border planning practices across the Nordics, based on interviews with transport infrastructure planners and the desk study comparing planning systems in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The project results will be presented and discussed on 20 June in the webinar organised by the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket). Cross-border transport planning experiences in the Nordics 20 June: How can cross-border planning of the transport infrastructure be strengthened in the Nordic region? The Nordic cross-border transport infrastructure planning topic will be discussed in the webinar organised by Trafikverket on 20 June. Anna Lundgren, Senior Research Fellow at Nordregio, and the project manager, will present the study, cross-border challenges and opportunities. The study and planning practices will be discussed by Stefan Engdahl, Planning Director, Maria Öberg, Strategic planner at Trafikverket, and Maria Stockhaus, Member of the Swedish Parliament, member of the Transport Committee and the Nordic Council’s Swedish delegation. The event will be held in Swedish. Registration is open by 20 June. About the project NORDINFRA (Nordic transport infrastructure planning – institutional barriers and opportunities for coordination) is a research project that aims to increase knowledge about cross-border transport infrastructure planning in the Nordic Region. The project sets out not only to identify barriers to cross-border transport infrastructure planning but also to highlight opportunities and propose measures to facilitate cross-border transport infrastructure planning. The project is led by Nordregio and conducted…

Launch of the Nordic-Baltic DigiHub: For a connected and digitally inclusive region

The Nordic and Baltic countries are among the most digitalised and innovative in the world. To leverage our competitive advantage, the ambition is for the region to continue its digital integration. Our vision for the Nordic-Baltic region is that it becomes the most integrated region in the world. To achieve this, collaboration on digital solutions is essential. Welcome to the Nordic-Baltic DigiHub: For a connected and digitally inclusive region! While many successful projects, use cases and trials are already taking place in the Nordic-Baltic region within digital development and integration, access to information is difficult to get and is scattered over several means of dissemination. “We identified a need to showcase more of what is being done when addressing these questions, in a common platform, to enable existing knowledge to be shared and to become more accessible. With these considerations in mind, the Nordic-Baltic Digital Hub was initiated”, says Nordregio researcher Ana de Jesus. The Nordic-Baltic DigiHub is a shared platform that showcases the projects “Digital inclusion in action” and “The Nordic-Baltic 5G monitoring tool” funded by The Nordic Council of Ministers and run by Nordregio. “The hub aims to promote collaboration, digital integration, and sustainable development in the region by sharing knowledge, tools, research, and facilitating exchanges among stakeholders. It focuses on addressing key questions related to emerging digital technologies, environmental impact, societal challenges, and aligning innovation with societal needs”, says Nordregio researcher Nicola Wendt-Lucas. The goal is to support a green, competitive, and socially sustainable digital transformation in the Nordic and Baltic countries, in line with their vision of becoming the most integrated and sustainable region in the world by 2030.

Hard to get. Easy to choose. Supporting sustainable living with the help of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel

Hard to get. Easy to choose. That is the tagline for the first cross-Nordic campaign of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. Raising awareness of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel as a tool for Nordic consumers and businesses to make sustainable choices is an important part of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel project within the Sustainable Living programme, coordinated by Nordregio. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is continuously raising the bar for companies applying to get the label – to ensure that the Nordic Swan Ecolabel is the strictest ecolabel in the Nordics. The Story of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and the Nordic Council of Ministers It all started in the late 1980s. Somewhere amidst shoulder pads and hairspray, people became increasingly aware of the accelerating environmental destruction and its consequences. During the same period, the United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and Development (better known as the Brundtland Commission) released the report “Our Common Future” and introduced the concept of sustainable development. One of the conclusions was that the environment should not be an issue for experts only, but that everyone can contribute to reducing environmental impact. The Nordic Council of Ministers took this seriously. To enable consumers to make environmentally friendly choices, they initiated the official Nordic ecolabel inspired by their own logo: The green-and-white Swan Ecolabel was created and is now recognized by 95% of Nordic residents. New vision boosts collaboration for sustainable living Since then, the Council of Ministers and the Nordic Swan Ecolabel have collaborated at the Nordic and national levels, in various arenas and in different ways. When the Nordic Council of Ministers adopted a new vision in 2019, “to become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030,” plans were born to further deepen their collaboration. Under the new vision, several exciting projects and programmes…
  • 2023 May

Western Balkan representatives will join Nordregio Forum in Iceland

As part the European Union’s support to the Western Balkans in their accession process, they have funded a Horizon Europe project titled GreenFORCE, which aims to foster excellence in scientific research. Nordregio is a proud partner of the project and looks forward to welcoming representatives from Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia to our annual forum in October where they can learn from the regional Nordic collaboration model. “The Nordic co-operation Programme for Regional Development and Planning is unique as it is set up to strengthen institutional capacities”, said Rolf Elmér, Director of Nordregio. The co-operation programme does this by enabling evidence-based learning and information sharing among researchers and civil servants from across the Nordic countries at national, regional, and local levels, as well as representatives from border committees. “Nordregio Forum is an opportunity for Western Balkan participants to learn about the benefits of informal arenas for knowledge exchange on policy-relevant topics around regional development and spatial planning,” explained Alberto Giacommeti, Nordregio Senior Research Advisor and project manager for GreenForce. “This is particularly relevant in a region were the formal channels are insufficient to address unsolved disputes.” Nordregio Forum is the annual meeting place for professionals and policymakers working with regional, rural and urban development in the Nordic countries. This year it will take place on 17 October in Reykjavik, Iceland.
  • 2023 May

Exploring the Nordic electric aviation horizon

Nordic countries have ambitious plans and commitments to promote sustainable flight solutions by introducing electric aircraft for short-haul domestic and cross-border flights. How far is it becoming a reality? What infrastructure, policies, interests and concerns are a help or hindrance? Join the discussion about the Nordic electric aviation development, inspired by three newly conducted Nordregio studies in collaboration with Nordic Energy Research and the University of Akureyri. Which Nordic routes will be the first to go electric?  Earlier this year, Nordregio published an accessibility study that identified over 200 potential electric aviation routes in the Nordics. This would significantly cut travel time compared to those going by both car or public transportation and yet be a more sustainable mobility solution. However, the feasibility of introducing the necessary infrastructure crucially depends on energy demands and availability.  What stands in the way of electric aviation in the Nordics? The Nordic countries are known for their low population density, breathtaking geography with fjords, lakes, and mountains, and a strong focus on sustainable energy. However, each country’s context varies.  Take Finland, for example. Electric aviation could improve connections to remote areas and improve regional competitiveness and tourism, yet substantial investments will be needed. Norway could reduce the environmental impact of travels connected to medical care, family and recreation. In Iceland, support for electric aviation is strong, both for environmental reasons and to further regional development. At the same time, an important concern is electrical safety. “It is exciting how soon electric aviation could become a reality in domestic flights in the Nordic countries. For instance, Icelandair has stated that the 30-seat electric airplane, developed by Heart Aerospace, could be used on all domestic routes, and it is estimated that it will be used for passenger transport in 2028,” says Sæunn Gísladóttir, Researcher at the University of Akureyri Research…

Gender Equality in the Blue Economy

Captain Sigríður Ólafsdóttir Twenty years ago several studies in Iceland revealed that women‘s access to decision making on natural resource extraction related to fishery management was inequal disfavoring women. No women were involved in the transformation of the fishery management system by being appointed to committees of officials engaged in the work or implementation. In spite of a long history of marine female experts, their role was not visible or officially decisive. The fishery sector is an occupational world where males have reigned. Across the circumpolar Arctic there is a long tradition for the perception that it is difficult to find decisive women to engage in public committees for the sector, and that very few women are shareholders within the fishery sector, not as quotaholders nor as owners of companies, if they were present it was primarily through pension funds (Sloan et.al 2004, Karlsdóttir, 2004). Gender presence in public bodies related to fisheries and aquaculture in Iceland, 2004 Examples of governmental bodies Total number of female staff Thereof, female Researchers, experts Total number of male staff Thereof, male Researchers, experts Ministry of Fisheries 11 0 10 1 The Marine research.Inst. 42 4 84 5 Icelandic fisheries lab. 34 5 20 2  Directorate of fisheries 20 0 74 1 Ministry of Agriculture 14 0 10 1 Directorate of freshw. fisheries – – 2-5 1 Inst.of freshwater fisheries 5 2 13 7 Processed from various public sources combined with interviews 1 August 2004 (Karlsdóttir, 2004). However, we are now in 2023 – things might have changed. Administrative changes have also happened in the meantime. Examples of governmental bodies Total number of female staff Thereof, female Researchers, experts Total number of male staff Thereof, male Researchers, experts Ministry of food 27 9 29 13 Marine and Freshwater research.Inst.* 63 41 112 45  Directorate…

Nordic-Baltic exchange on wood construction: results from study-trip to Latvia  

In late April 2023, the BSRWood project, funded by the Swedish Institute, brought together a diverse group of participants from the Baltic countries, Sweden, and Finland in Latvia. The purpose was to learn from Latvia’s experience with wood construction and exchange learnings from across the pond. The study tour was organized with the assistance of Antra Viļuma from Riga Technical University and Kristaps Ceplis, the Executive Director of the Latvian Wood Construction Cluster (LKBK). The program combined presentations, site visits, lively discussions and, of course, some time to explore the exquisite night life of Riga.  Presentations and site visits: showcasing Latvia’s wood architecture and industry Presentations focused on Latvia’s wood architecture and industry and presented highlights of recent projects, most notably the circular reconstruction projects pushed by Riga municipality and the library in Ogre designed after a participatory process to meet the interests of the users such as young families while incorporating several smart sustainable solutions. Presentations also dealt with developments in fire safety regulations Estonia and fire safe design in Latvia, the upcoming policy push in Lithuania for increased used of wood in publicly procured buildings, and a more overarching presentation of systems innovation in a case study of Sweden’s and Finland’s wood construction development.   During the study visit, participants had the opportunity to explore the Forest and Wood Product Development and Research Institute in Jelgava. We learned about the various lab tests and educational programs in place to develop skills in wood building. The group also visited the ZAZA Timber factory and the impressive 87-meter wooden pedestrian bridge in Tērvete’s Nature Park, which also collects data on how wood adapts to changing weather conditions and vibrations. The following day, the group traveled north to Cēsis, a town renowned for its rich history in wood architecture and industry. Cēsis…

Stockholm launch unveils latest edition of acclaimed Nordic Economic Policy Review

“The Nordic Economic Policy Review is one of the most prominent publications in our part of the world and in this field,” said Niklas Wykman, Swedish Minister of Financial Markets at the launch of the 2023 edition of this flagship report. The event, which took place on 8 May in Stockholm, brought together policymakers, experts, and academics to discuss the implications of EU versus national climate policies in the Nordic countries. In his opening remarks, Wykman highlighted the importance of dialogue and research in shaping effective climate policies. “For policymakers, it is extremely important to have dialogues about and reports to read on timely issues like this one. This event is also a platform for academia, and policymakers and politicians to come together to have discussions and debate,” he said. The report explores the effects of the EU’s ambitious Fit for 55 package on the region’s climate goals and economic policies. It examines the national climate targets and measures of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, which have all set more ambitious abatement goals than the EU. The authors address key questions such as the consistency and efficiency of these national targets with the Fit for 55 package. Svante Mandell, a report author from the Swedish National Institute of Economic Research, emphasised the need for a reevaluation of Swedish national targets. He argued that by increasing trade in emission allowances with other EU member states, Sweden could achieve significant cost reductions without compromising the climate goals. Mandell stated, “Sweden has long been striving to act as a forerunner in climate policy, but now the EU is catching up.” During the discussion, Jytte Guteland, a Member of the Swedish Parliament, highlighted the importance of implementing the policies outlined in the Fit for 55 package, rather than debating its validity. Guteland said, “That…
  • 2023 May

Are we approaching a Swedish housing slump? Nordregio researcher Anna Granath Hansson featured in several major media on the topic

Senior Research Fellow Anna Granath Hansson and her research on the increasingly strained Swedish housing market gains much attention in Swedish media. Granath Hansson has been featured in the paper Dagens Nyheter, the TV news program Nyhetsmorgon and radio P1. Entering the housing market in Swedish larger towns is difficult, and often requires years on rental housing waiting lists or large enough savings and income to buy a home. In the future, those who do not have a home will find it even more difficult to enter the market. This says Anna Granath Hansson in an interview in Dagens Nyheter, warning about a Swedish housing slump. (DN: Forskaren varnar för bostadssmäll: Fler kommer att bo i misär). There has been a long economic boom where people have taken large mortgages while the rental market has not been opened up sufficiently. Those who would otherwise end up on the street have been taken care of as far as possible, but the middle group, those who work and manage their social contract, have not been cared for. Low-income groups that cannot afford to buy or keep a home and do not get access to rental housing will face an even tougher situation as competition increases. According to Granath Hansson, it is probable that more people will live in misery in Sweden due to the existing housing shortage. Housing construction has for many years been seen as the major remedy against the Swedish housing shortage. Now, rising interest rates and other negative external factors are sharply reducing the number of construction starts. This calls for a more comprehensive approach to housing policy and Granath Hansson encourages policymakers to consider the needs of lower and mid-income groups in housing policies. Granath Hansson was also interviewed on the popular morning tv show Nyhetsmorgon, talking about…
  • 2023 May

TANGO-W towards Vision 2050

TANGO-W is an innovative applied research project that is taking on the challenges of climate change through Urban Transformative Capacities. Recently, TANGO-W’s research and city partners gathered in Norrtälje, Sweden for a two-day event that included workshops, panel discussions, and planning sessions. From evaluating cities’ potential for sustainability to exploring new business pathways for commercial exploitation – TANGO-W is an applied research project that uses the concept of Urban Transformative Capacities (UTC) to evaluate cities’ potential for sustainability. With a focus on the intersection of food, energy, and water systems, the project aims to help cities tackle climate change challenges and encourage sustainable urban development.  Day 1: intervention planning The first day was dedicated to a series of intervention planning exercises for each of the project’s Urban Living Labs (ULLs). These role-playing exercises enabled the city representatives to reconsider how each stakeholder in their ULL works together and reframe how they might understand these stakeholders in relation to one another and to the project objectives. Partners also heard from Björn Oliviusson, an aquaponics expert and stakeholder in Norrtälje’s ULL who currently owns a greenhouse that produces bananas and other tropical fruits in Sweden. Day 2: evaluation and discussions On the following day, research and city partners conducted a one-year evaluation followed by a discussion on the temporal architectures of the ULLs among each of the national partner groups (Austria, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden). The day continued with a discussion on business plans and potential pathways for commercial exploitation from the ULLs — a topic that will be further taken up in the coming year. Finally, researchers and city partners heard from delegates of other EN-UTC projects (SUNEX and WASTE FEW ULL) along with a stakeholder from Stockholm’s ULL, Daniel Bergqvist. The SUNEX project is working on understanding the supply and…
  • 2023 May