This project explores how Nordic regions can strengthen psychological resilience, understood as the capacity of individuals and communities to adapt to and recover from crises. Recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have highlighted the importance of societal preparedness, not only in practical terms but also for mental well-being. Strengthening psychological resilience requires capacity to respond to acute crises but also to build stable, trust-based communities in everyday life.
More specifically, the project will examine how local and regional actors, such as municipalities, regional authorities, civil society organisations, and community groups, can support residents’ resilience by balancing support for everyday life (“basic resilience”) with preparedness for sudden crises (“acute resilience”). Drawing on Nordic strategies, particularly Finland’s 2025 resilience framework and comprehensive security model, the project analyses a broad range of measures, from cultural and youth services to civic engagement, social inclusion, and communication practices.
Structured in three stages, the project will:
- Provide a contextual overview of policies and practices across Nordic countries, exploring how psychological resilience is defined, operationalised, and supported at different governance levels.
- Scope and review existing indicators, using sources such as Nordic statistics, Eurostat, and the World Happiness Report, to assess how resilience can be measured and monitored across regions.
- Develop recommendations together with regional and local stakeholders and share knowledge about the regional actors’ roles in supporting psychological resilience, as well as explore effective ways of discussing psychological resilience in a manner that supports their efforts towards long-term basic and acute resilience.
The findings and insights from this work will be summarised in a report on Nordic psychological resilience, an academic article, and shared in an interactive webinar. The insights are intended for policymakers, planners, civil society actors, and educational institutions, providing evidence-based guidance to help Nordic regions prepare for uncertain futures while supporting the well-being and stability of their communities.
