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Digital identity is central to everyday life in the Nordic countries – but what happens when not everyone can log in? A new report from Nordregio investigates how electronic ID (eID) systems are being implemented in Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland, and what it takes to ensure that digital inclusion becomes the starting point, not an afterthought.  Between 90 and 98 % of people in the Nordic countries now use electronic ID to access public services, banking, and digital communication. But this high uptake masks significant gaps, especially in smaller and more remote areas.  Nordregio’s new report, Digital identity for all? Barriers and solutions for an inclusive eID rollout in the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland, explores how three societies – each with distinct political and infrastructural contexts – are navigating the transition to digital identity systems. Drawing on 50 interviews with public officials, NGOs, banks and civil society actors, the study highlights both structural barriers and emerging solutions for how to succeed with an inclusive eID rollout.  Context matters – one size does not fit all  The three cases represent very different approaches. The Faroe Islands have built their own national eID system, Samleikin. Greenland has adopted Denmark’s MitID, while Åland relies primarily on private bank-issued IDs.  Faroese Samleikin, prioritised user inclusion from the outset. The system is voluntary, available in multiple formats (including USB for those without smartphones), and supported by physical helpdesks, phone support and outreach activities. Civil society organisations were involved early in the rollout to identify barriers and tailor support to different user groups.  Greenland, by contrast, uses Denmark’s MitID – a system developed for the Danish context, which may not fully reflect Greenland’s unique geographical, societal and linguistic landscape. Challenges have included limited internet access, language barriers, and a lack of coordination between…

The Nordic countries are among the most digitalised in the world. Yet, this digital advantage does not benefit everyone equally. One group particularly at risk of being left behind is immigrant women—especially those who are newly arrived, have limited local language proficiency, or come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. New research explores this issue, asking: how can the Nordic countries support the digital inclusion of immigrant women, and why does it matter? The publication provides insights and recommendations to enhance digital engagement and integration into society. Exclusion in a digital welfare state In the Nordic welfare model, digital competence is often the gateway to social and economic participation. From applying for jobs and booking healthcare to accessing benefits and public services, basic digital skills are now indispensable. “Factors such as language proficiency, digital literacy, trust, lack of support, systemic barriers, cultural differences, and lack of domain knowledge intersect to create significant challenges,” explains Maja Brynteson, author of the study and Research Fellow at Nordregio. The consequences go far beyond inconvenience. Digital exclusion can deepen social isolation, create new forms of control and limit the ability of immigrant women to fully participate in everyday life. A fragmented policy landscape Across the Nordic countries, policy responses vary. Norway specifically identifies immigrant women as a digitally vulnerable group in national strategies. Other countries adopt a broader approach—focusing on common challenges shared across groups at risk of exclusion. This “common challenges, common solutions” model aims to streamline efforts and improve efficiency. Yet, it is difficult to say if this generalist approach can meet the specific needs of immigrant women (and other groups at risk of digital exclusion), who often face compounded and intersectional barriers to inclusion. “It is too early to say whether targeted or broader approaches are more effective,” says Brynteson. “Both have merits,…

Cities are at the forefront of the global fight against climate change. With seven out of ten people projected to live in urban areas by 2050 (UN, 2018) and cities already accounting for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the stakes could not be higher. Urban areas are expanding faster than their population growth, posing major risks to climate targets, but also opening a critical window for sustainable innovation. Cities account for over 80% of global GDP (World Bank, 2023), giving them significant potential to drive climate action while maintaining economic growth. Nordregio’s new report, “Nordic cities: pathways towards climate neutrality”, the final product of the Nordic Climate Neutral Cities (NCNC) project, funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, offers insights for both national and local policymakers and planners. It explores how Nordic cities use spatial urban planning to move towards climate neutrality through three specific sectors: land use, transport, and building and construction. Political will and practical barriers Nordic cities are well-positioned for climate neutrality, thanks to strong political will, energy-efficient building traditions, investments in sustainable mobility, and growing citizen participation. Their strong institutional and financial capacity, supported by municipal autonomy and access to renewable energy, offers a solid foundation for climate action. Yet, our research also shows the challenges slowing the transition. Multilevel governance challenges, coordination gaps within municipalities, fragmented land use planning, and inconsistent building regulations slow progress. Financing for building retrofits is often inadequate, increasing the risk of energy poverty. Public preferences for traditional housing forms may also conflict with climate goals. Limiting cars in urban areas is still a politically sensitive issue in several Nordic municipalities. As the report states, “Nordic cities have many of the right ingredients for climate neutrality, but overcoming ingrained systemic barriers will require new forms of collaboration and more targeted…

As Europe advances towards climate neutrality, the green transition is reshaping economic and social structures in regions across the countries. The green transition offers opportunities for innovation, new industries, and growth, but its effects are uneven and place-dependent. Some regions are well positioned to benefit, while others risk being left behind. Ensuring a just and balanced transition requires coordinated action across governance levels, with particular attention to regional dynamics and capacities. In a recent event ‘Territories on their way to climate neutrality’ (6 May) hosted by ESPON EGTC, Nordregio’s Senior Research Fellow Nora Sánchez Gassen contributed to a policy session on how spatial planning and territorial development can support climate neutrality. The session brought together planners, policymakers, and researchers to examine how place-based strategies can guide a fair and effective transition.  Regional perspectives on green industrialisation Sánchez Gassen presented results from Nordregio’s research and the Territorial Perspective on Green Industrialisation working paper and policy brief, a joint effort by ESPON and Nordregio. She emphasised that the success of green industrialisation depends not only on technological development and market incentives, but also on regional capacities, governance frameworks, and public engagement. Three key issues were highlighted: Research-based resources for policy development The talk drew on three recent Nordregio publications that support regional policy development for a just and effective green transition: Working paper and policy brief: Territorial perspective on green industrialisationThese publications offer evidence-based insights into how green industrialisation is taking shape across Europe. They provide territorial evidence and examples that inform planning and policy at the local, national and EU levels. Key policy messages highlight both the potential and challenges of green reindustrialisation and call for regionally adapted, inclusive strategies. Report: Regional economic effects of the green transition in the Nordic RegionThis report provides a detailed account of how the green…

Across the Nordic Region, cities are grappling with rising levels of urban segregation. From large capitals to smaller towns, the socio-economic and spatial divides between neighbourhoods are becoming increasingly visible, raising concerns about social cohesion, equality, and inclusion. How has the region put these concerns into action? Our new report, “Beyond segregation: Nordic approaches to socially inclusive cities,” delves into the wide range of policy and planning approaches used to counteract urban segregation and foster social inclusion across the Nordics. Drawing on national and municipal-level experiences from all five Nordic countries, the report offers in-depth insights from 13 cities. “There’s no one-size-fits-all solution,” says Mats Stjernberg, Senior Research Fellow at Nordregio and lead author of the report. “But we do see a common recognition across the region that creating more inclusive cities requires long-term commitment at multiple levels, and a real willingness to deal with both the deeper structural issues and the more visible, local challenges.” From strategies to segregation barometers While the specific approaches vary across countries and cities, a number of trends stand out. Many governments and municipalities are pursuing area-based interventions, such as physical regeneration, mixed housing developments, and targeted social services, but alongside broader policy shifts in housing, education, employment, and integration. In Finland, the City of Helsinki has implemented the Suburban Regeneration Model (kaupunkiuudistus), which focuses on revitalising specific suburban areas. The model includes infill construction, physical upgrades, and investments in public services, and is part of a broader commitment to counteract segregation and improve neighbourhood liveability. This area-based model is cross-sectoral by design, combining housing, planning, and social policy measures. The report also highlights the increasing use of data to support decision-making. From Sweden’s national Segregation barometer (Segregationsbarometern) to local indicator systems in Finland, spatial data and statistics are increasingly used to assess levels…

What does it mean to host the “right kind” of tourist? How can tourism be made socially sustainable, not just economically or environmentally sound, in Nordic communities? These were the pressing questions explored during Nordregio’s recent webinar and report launch, The Right Kind of Tourist? Rethinking tourism’s impact on Nordic communities. Spoiler: there are no easy answers, but there’s no shortage of insights, dilemmas, and promising practices either. Beyond Revenue: Why Social Sustainability Matters Now The event brought together researchers, regional practitioners, and policymakers to share the findings from the final report of the Socially Sustainable Rural Tourism project. As tourism numbers continue to climb across the Nordics, the conversation is shifting from “how much?” to “how well?”and that’s where social sustainability comes in. Lead author Ágúst Bogason opened the event by challenging attendees to look beneath tourism’s sunny surface. While economic growth, infrastructure upgrades and job creation are highly visible benefits, the less tangible impacts on housing, healthcare, trust, and community identity, are often overlooked or under-measured. “There’s a real appetite for addressing the social dimension of tourism,” said Ágúst, “but we lack common definitions, consistent indicators, and the tools to operationalise the concept in policy and planning.” Eight Nordic Regions, Eight Shades of Pressure Drawing on fieldwork in eight Nordic regions, the report offers a rich mosaic of how tourism plays out in real life, from seasonal surges to slow-burn transformations. Nordregio’s Maja Brynteson and Lisa Rohrer helped to flesh out the details of the case studies behind the results. From Research to Reality: Panelists on the Frontlines The heart of the webinar was a lively and refreshingly honest panel discussion featuring a mix of local practitioners and academic voices. Together, they dug into the real-world dilemmas of tourism development in the Nordics where values, voices, and visitor…