Publications

To meet climate goals, the Nordic countries have committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by or before 2050. While this transition is essential, it also brings significant economic and social implications for regions and communities across the Nordic Region. This policy brief presents key insights from two research projects carried out by Nordregio between 2021 and 2025: Ensuring inclusive economic growth in the transition to a green economy (EnIGG) and Not (Just) a Green Transition (NJUST). Both projects were conducted on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers and examine how the green transition can be designed and implemented in a socially and regionally fair and inclusive way. Drawing on economic modelling, survey data, stakeholder interviews, and focus group discussions, the brief outlines ten findings on public perceptions, regional disparities, job quality, and policy design. It also offers pointers to further material available in the Nordic Toolbox for a Just Green Transition, a practical resource to support policymakers in developing climate policies that are inclusive, place-sensitive, and broadly supported. 10 Key messages outlined in the policy brief include: This publication is part of the “Ensuring inclusive economic growth in the transition to a green economy (EnIGG)” project. The project analyses how the Nordic countries can accelerate the green transition towards a climate-neutral economy. Drawing from research findings in EnIGG and “Not (Just) a Green Transition (NJUST)”, the policy brief summarises ten key insights from this research, focusing on the social and economic impacts of the green transition and how to ensure that no one is left behind.

Across Europe, local leaders, citizens, researchers and policymakers have come together to answer a crucial question: how can we make rural regions more attractive, inclusive, and resilient in the face of ongoing demographic and economic shifts? As part of the PREMIUM_EU project, ten Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs)—open forums for co-learning and policy development—continued their work from the SHERPA project to share what’s working, what’s not, and how mobility can become a force for positive regional transformation. Key Findings from Rural Europe The MAPs worked across 10 regions and countries, from the Bieszczady Mountains of Poland to the Southwest Alentejo in Portugal. Despite regional differences, some shared lessons emerged: 5 Inspiring Examples of Innovative Local Action Related 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.

The Nordic countries are widely recognised for their accessible and inclusive higher education systems, which are considered important drivers of innovation, equity and competitiveness in the knowledge economy. While metropolitan and well-established traditional universities often benefit from strong institutional capacity, stable student numbers and robust research infrastructure, higher education institutions in regional centres and smaller towns operate under different conditions. The new EDYNORA report explores the role of higher education institutions located outside major cities in supporting local and regional development, with a particular focus on their impact on labour markets, youth attraction and retention and the overall attractiveness of the given area. Drawing on empirical material from six case studies across the Nordic countries, the study identifies key lessons to guide policymakers and practitioners in establishing and developing appealing learning environments in small towns and rural areas across the Nordic Region. In addition to the six case studies of PHEIs across the Nordic countries, this study draws on data collected through the Higher Education and VET Portal. The portal provides a visual and analytical overview of the diversity of campuses and independent institutions across the Nordic countries. It offers information on each campus’ or institution’s location, the fields of education offered, and the number of students and the year of establishment. Data are presented across different institutional types, classified according to the highest level of education provided at a given campus or institution.

The Nordic and Baltic societies have undergone a comprehensive digital transformation of the public sector in recent decades, with several public and financial services now requiring the use of electronic IDs (eID). This study aims to explore how eID is being rolled out in smaller societies and the barriers and solutions to doing so in an inclusive manner. The research is based on extensive desk research and in-depth fieldwork conducted in the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland in 2024. During the fieldwork in the three societies, 50 interviews were conducted with a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, NGOs, civil society representatives, banks, business representatives, and municipalities.  The three case studies reflect distinct institutional and technological approaches: a tailored national solution in the Faroe Islands, a top-down implementation of the Danish eID system in Greenland, and a hybrid model relying on private bank-issued eIDs in Åland. Despite differences, common challenges emerged, particularly for older adults, people with disabilities, immigrants and those with limited digital access. Key findings show the need to engage with local stakeholders and thoroughly understand the respective populations’ needs, concerns and digital capabilities. The report concludes with 12 policy takeaways, including the importance of maintaining analogue options, involving civil society, ensuring accessibility and language relevance, and clarifying institutional responsibilities. These insights offer practical guidance for policymakers working to implement inclusive eID systems in small, remote or otherwise digitally vulnerable contexts.

Despite the high level of digitalisation in the Nordic region, certain population groups face challenges in accessing and utilising digital services. Immigrant women, and more specifically newly arrived and those with limited local language proficiency and lower socioeconomic or educational backgrounds, are identified as a digitally vulnerable group. This study explores digital inclusion of immigrant women in the Nordics, focusing on the policy landscape, barriers, and practices for promoting digital engagement. Insights for encouraging digital inclusion among immigrant women in the Nordic countries include: This working paper is produced by Nordregio for the Nordic Welfare Centre and the project of Nordic collaboration on integration of refugees and immigrants.

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.

One particular feature distinguishing the Nordic countries from the rest of the industrialised world is the wage-setting system. The Nordic model has traditionally involved strong trade unions and strong employers’ associations. Despite its recent decline, union density is still higher in the Nordic countries than anywhere else in the world. Membership of employers’ associations is also high. As a result, contracts negotiated between the labour market parties cover the vast majority of the workforce. This issue of the Nordic Economic Policy Review examines the contemporary issues of Nordic labour markets in five articles. Lars Calmfors: The article provides a comprehensive review of how these systems operate in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, examining their theoretical underpinnings, practical implementation, and economic impacts. Antti Kauhanen: The article analyses the impacts of extending collective bargaining agreements in Nordic labour markets. Mette Ejrnæs and Astrid Würtz Rasmussen: The article provides a comprehensive analysis of public sector wage-setting in the Nordic countries, with a particular focus on Denmark. Anders Kjellberg: This article provides a detailed analysis of union density in Nordic countries. Harald Dale-Olsen: The article examines the multifaceted impacts of labour unions on workers, firms, and the broader economy, with a particular focus on comparing evidence from Norway and the United States.

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.

As Nordic countries look to tourism for regional development, especially in rural areas, there is a growing need to ensure that the benefits of tourism are broadly shared—and its social consequences better understood. This publication is the second in a two-part series on Socially Sustainable Rural Tourism, commissioned by the Nordic Thematic Group for Green, Innovative and Resilient Regions. The first report established a conceptual and policy-based understanding of social sustainability in tourism. This follow-up turns to practice, presenting eight case studies from across the Nordic Region. Through interviews and field visits, the research team explores how tourism policies are being implemented on the ground. What emerges is a mixed picture: community engagement and sustainability are frequently cited in strategies, yet implementation is often uneven. The report identifies governance structures, seasonality, and local participation as crucial to making tourism a tool for social sustainability. Key insights from the Nordic case studies Cross-cutting recommendations for policymakers

Many Nordic municipalities are experiencing population decline, ageing, and uneven demographic trends, creating challenges for economic sustainability, service provision, and infrastructure development. While growth has traditionally been the policy focus, these shifts require a different approach. Smart adaptation offers a way to rethink resource allocation, adjust services, and foster innovation to build more resilient communities. This policy brief explores how policymakers and planners can develop adaptive strategies to manage demographic change effectively. It highlights key principles of smart adaptation and provides practical insights for national, regional, and local decision-makers. The policy brief outlines seven policy actions to support smart adaptation to population shrinkage in the Nordic region. Based on insights from a series of workshops with planners, policymakers, and experts, these recommendations highlight key pathways for managing demographic change effectively: The policy brief is also available in: This policy brief is part of the Smart Adaptation to Rural Realities: approaches and practices in Nordic municipalities and regions (2023–2025) project, which explores governance strategies for managing demographic decline in the Nordic region. The findings draw on a review of Nordic and European research, an analysis of regional and rural development policies, and a series of workshops with municipal, regional, and national representatives from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark. The project aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and identify adaptive strategies that support long-term resilience in shrinking communities.

What drives young adults in the Nordic region to stay, move, or return to their place of origin? This working paper explores the migration patterns and settlement preferences of Nordic individuals aged 25-39—a key period for long-term relocation decisions. Grounded in the Competence Mobility II project, the study examines how career opportunities, social ties, and lifestyle aspirations influence mobility choices across the region.

Political discontent has been rising in many Western democracies, often linked to economic insecurities, spatial inequalities, and demographic shifts. While the Nordic countries generally maintain high levels of trust in institutions, growing rural-urban divides may contribute to dissatisfaction, particularly in areas facing economic stagnation or demographic imbalances. This project synthesis examines spatial disparities across the Nordic Region and their association with electoral behaviour, particularly voter turnout and support for populist parties. The findings indicate that while political discontent has not uniformly increased across the Nordic Region, rural areas consistently show lower voter turnout, while intermediate areas have higher support for populist parties. Socio-economic factors such as unemployment, lower education levels, and income stagnation correlate with higher populist voting, while areas with traditional, polluting industries show lower levels of discontent – suggesting the economic stability of these industries plays a role in maintaining trust. Based on these insights, the synthesis outlines key policy recommendations for addressing regional inequalities and fostering inclusive development: These publications is part of the “Ensuring inclusive economic growth in the transition to a green economy (EnIGG)” project. The project analyses how the Nordic countries can accelerate the green transition towards a climate-neutral economy. The policy brief 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.

In recent years, feelings of being left behind have grown in some regions across Europe and the Western world, linked to economic, social, and demographic disparities. This visual guide provides an overview of spatial variations across the Nordic Region, illustrating key demographic, socio-economic, and environmental indicators through maps and charts. By comparing municipalities and regions, the visual guide highlights rural-urban differences and identifies statistically significant patterns at the Nordic level. It categorises municipalities based on Nordregio’s rural-urban typology, offering insights into how urban, intermediate, and rural areas differ in terms of population composition, income levels, green jobs, and greenhouse gas emissions. These publications are part of the “Ensuring inclusive economic growth in the transition to a green economy (EnIGG)” project. EnIGG analyses how the Nordic countries can accelerate the green transition towards a climate-neutral economy. The publications are 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.

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)

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.

The expansion of stable digital connectivity in rural Nordic regions has fuelled innovation across various sectors. In the health and social care sector, distance spanning solutions offer a novel opportunity to provide better, more accessible, efficient, and sustainable services, particularly to people in underserved areas.   The project “Integrated Healthcare and Care through Distance Spanning Solutions” (iHAC) has been looking into the different aspects surrounding the provision of remote care services, ranging from questions on sustainability over regional development to governance. This discussion paper aims to unearth some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration to ensure an inclusive rollout of distance spanning health solutions in the Nordic countries. It further aims to provide directions for future investigations into the inclusion dimension of digital health and care services.  This paper focuses on four of the five Nordic model regions identified in the iHAC publication “Integrated Healthcare and Care through distance spanning solutions – for increased service accessibility”: Päijät-Häme, Finland, Fjallabyggð, Iceland, Agder, Norway and Norrtälje, Sweden.