Publications

This report brings together practical examples and shared insights from across the Nordic region from projects and activities conducted by Nordregio, the Nordic Cross-border Committees and the Nordic Atlantic Cooperation (NORA) as part of the Nordic Cooperation Programme For Regional Development And Planning 2021–2024 (RCP). It highlights how cooperation and mutual learning can help address common challenges in the region—from demographic shifts to the green transition. What can Nordic municipalities and communities learn from contemporaries across the region? How can potentially transformational policies, strategies and initiatives be successfully transferred from one local context to another? Such are the questions underlying this report.

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 big universities located in cities benefit from strong institutional capacity, stable student numbers and robust research infrastructure, smaller  universities, colleges, and campuses located outside major urban hubs (peripheral higher education institutions (PHEIs)) operate under different conditions. Despite the challenges, PHEIs play a vital role in their regions by providing accessible educational opportunities close to home, attracting and retaining young people, building local skills, and supporting regional labor markets. This Storymap from the  EDYNORA  project illustrates how PHEIs act as key anchors for regional development shaping futures, strengthening communities, and keeping knowledge flowing across all corners of the Nordic Region. These issues were investigated through  six case studies , drawing on qualitative, semi-structured interviews with institutional leaders, student union representatives, and local stakeholders such as business actors and regional development organisations. 

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

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.