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How can the Nordic-Baltic region enhance digital security during times of geopolitical instability? In the first of Nordregio’s NB-Connect event series, experts gathered to discuss strategies for strengthening digital resilience and safeguarding connectivity infrastructure in the Nordic-Baltic region. Photo: Krzysztof Kowalik / Unsplash.com The physical threat to a digital world In the face of a changing geopolitical climate, European countries are raising their guards and shining the torch on vulnerable critical infrastructure. The Nordic and Baltic states are currently scrutinising their vulnerabilities to hybrid attacks, particularly following recent incidents involving communication cables in the Baltic Sea. These attacks have highlighted the need to monitor and protect communications systems, reminding us that digital security is highly reliant on physical infrastructure. But security challenges span further than human induced incidents, where remote regions, such as Greenland, face challenges in securing essential communication infrastructure due to harsh arctic environments and a lack of private investment incentives. To address the pressing issue of secure digital infrastructure, Nordregio recently gathered experts from the NB-Connect expert group, as well as associated national representatives and members of the research community. This online event marked the first in a series within the NB-Connect project, funded by the Nordic-Baltic Ministers for Digitalisation in their commitment to making the Nordic-Baltic region the most digitally integrated in the world by 2030. The research project focuses on sharing digital connectivity data across the Nordic-Baltic region, and the first event on 18 March particularly covered security threats to communication systems, how these threats differ between regions, and the complexities of covering hybrid threats under international law. Cecilia Leveaux from the Nordic Council of Ministers emphasised the importance of both access to, and the security and resilience of, the digital infrastructure: “It impacts everything and is a hot topic in the ministerial councils and…

As the Nordic Region faces an increasingly evident demographic shift, many municipalities are grappling with the challenges of population decline, ageing, and uneven distribution of residents. This trend raises concerns over economic sustainability, public service delivery, and local infrastructure development. The focus on growth, traditionally viewed as the key indicator of success, is not enough to address the complexities of today’s demographic realities. New perspectives are needed to shift from simply managing population shrinkage to making communities stronger, more sustainable, and more resilient for the future. That’s where the concept of smart adaptation comes in. It offers a strategic framework designed to reshape how we think about resource allocation, public services, and economic resilience in the face of demographic change. Rethinking population shrinkage Rather than viewing shrinking populations as a problem that needs fixing, smart adaptation turns the attention towards potential. It’s about embracing change, finding new ways to live and work, and shaping a future that does not rely on growth for success. But how can we rethink our policies to reflect this new reality? Elin Cedergren, Research Fellow at Nordregio, highlights key challenges, including the difficulty of openly discussing population shrinkage and its effects. At the same time, she points to opportunities in the Nordic Region. Cooperation between municipalities and regions can help pool resources to improve service provision. Strong civil society networks and associations can help sustain lively communities. However, spatial justice needs to be considered. Vulnerable demographic groups and sparsely populated areas require targeted support and a voice in policymaking. “It’s time to rethink how we approach this challenge,” says Cedergren. “We’ve viewed shrinking populations as a problem to solve. But what if we reframed it as an opportunity for transformation? By embracing change, regions can focus on building stronger communities, rather than trying to reverse…

Sustainable food policies influence more than what’s on our plates. Strengthening local food production and promoting healthy diets can improve public health, support local economies, and increase resilience in times of uncertainty. Reviving local food systems in the Faroe Islands Hogni Hoydal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Faroe Islands, discusses the importance of sustainability and self-sufficiency in food production in a recent interview for a project on Nordic food environments and behaviour change for better diets. “Well, basically it’s about being more sustainable and self-producing our own food, which we did 50 years ago,” Hoydal explains. “You catch your own fish, your own birds, you have your own sheep and some vegetables,” he continues. However, over time, the Faroe Islands, like much of Europe, have shifted towards a more consumer-driven society. “Now we import most of our food, especially vegetables,” Hoydal adds. The new agricultural policy of the Faroe Islands seeks to strengthen self-sufficiency. A shift towards a more sustainable, locally focused food system is part of a broader regional effort to ensure food security while addressing environmental challenges. The Faroese government encourages for instance schools and hospitals to make use of local products to integrate local agriculture into public food systems. Such initiatives benefit public health and help to create a better market for local farmers, stimulating the regional economy. The Faroese efforts to revitalise local food systems, reduce reliance on imports, and promote healthy eating habits contribute to strengthening food security, long-term health and community resilience. They are also an example of a broader trend in the Nordic Region, where policies are being developed to address both climate risks and socio-political challenges. Working towards healthy and sustainable food systems in the Nordic Arctic The interview is part of a broader exploration…

The interest in owning and creating energy together on a local level is increasing in Sweden. However, many communities encounter challenges related to complex regulations, funding difficulties, and a lack of clear guidance. To address these issues, Uppsala University and Nordregio have developed a guide that outlines a three-step process designed to help local actors progress from concept to implementation, and proposes six recommendations to promote local ownership. The guide is available in Swedish: “Lokalt ägandeskap av hållbar energi“And in English: “Local ownership of sustainable energy“ The project is funded by Energimyndigheten/Swedish Energy Agency. Three steps to start, implement and operate your locally owned energy project The guide is designed to support local energy production, improving community resilience and self-sufficiency. The guide’s first step involves the core group defining their motivation, organising structures, and securing funding. In the second step, attention turns to implementation, which includes managing execution, and ensuring localisation. The final step focuses on sustaining the project long-term, which requires thorough documentation, ongoing competence development, and regular evaluations to ensure continuous improvement. Elin Slätmo, Senior Researcher at Nordregio, notes, “Local energy projects not only support sustainability but also contribute to building resilient communities that are less vulnerable to economic fluctuations and supply disruptions.” Case studies from the Nordic Region The guide includes five case studies that provide insights into successful local energy projects: Policy recommendations for enhancing local energy initiatives The publication concludes with six policy recommendations for financing bodies and for decision-makers on local, regional and national levels, to support more locally owned energy projects: Access the guide to learn more about local ownership of sustainable energy here.

How well do migrants integrate into Nordic societies? The Nordic Statistics Database has released updated data on migration and integration, offering insights into labour markets, education, and social trends. This harmonised and comparable dataset helps researchers, policymakers, and the public understand how integration unfolds across generations in the Nordic countries. A key tool for accessing this data is the updated integration and migration dashboard, which provides a user-friendly overview of foreign-born individuals and their descendants across the Nordics. “Reliable, comparable data is essential for shaping policies that support social and economic inclusion,” says Vitor Miranda, who leads Nordregio’s work on the Nordic Statistics Database. “This new dashboard makes it easier to track long-term integration trends and compare developments across the Nordic countries.” A joint Nordic effort The Nordic Statistical Institutes have collaborated on migration and integration statistics since 2015 with funding from the Nordic Council of Ministers. The first results were published in 2018, and the latest data update was carried out in 2024*. (*Note: Data for Iceland is currently pending due to ongoing methodological revisions by Statistics Iceland.) Key insights at a glance The dashboard offers interactive data visualisation and filtering options, making it easier than ever to explore: Users can also refine their search by region of birth, duration of stay, and reasons for residence permits. Each graph includes links to the source matrices with additional details and metadata. Why do we need Nordic data? The integration and migration dataset is an important resource for understanding how migration shapes Nordic societies. Its value lies in: Explore the data and track migration trends in the Nordic Statistics Database: About the Nordic Statistics Database The Nordic Statistics Database is a comprehensive collection of harmonised statistical data, covering key societal trends across the Nordic countries. Managed under the auspices of the…

As the Nordic Region faces new and complex geopolitical shifts, Nordic policymakers have deemed increased cross-border transport critical. At the recent Platform North conference, Anna Lundgren, Senior Research Fellow at Nordregio, shared research insights from the NORDINFRA project and the critical elements required for effective cross-border transport infrastructure planning. Funded by the Swedish National Transport Administration and carried out between 2021 and 2023, the NORDINFRA project, a collaborative effort between Nordregio and Umeå University, aimed to identify the barriers and drivers of successful cross-border collaboration. The project focused on three connections (all at an early planning stage): the Helsingborg-Helsingør connection, the Stockholm-Oslo railway, and a multimodal line from Mo I Rana in Norway through Umeå in Sweden to Vasa in Finland. Insights to enhance Nordic cross-border transport First, a top-down approach is key. National-level political collaboration and support are essential for paving the way. The Nordic ministers on transport infrastructure have issued a declaration on cooperation and mandated the national transport administrations to deepen their cooperation, which are important steps in the right direction. Secondly, a systems perspective is fundamental. Cross-border infrastructure planning transcends national boundaries, and considering the different modes of transport in that system is essential. To date, the Nordic Region lacks a comprehensive overview of the Nordic transport infrastructure system of transport flows, and the national transport plans. Thirdly, it’s a question of costs and benefits. Economic figures and risk analyses are the foundation of sound decision-making. The results highlighted the need for joint analyses and models to estimate transport flows, evaluate risks and calculate costs and benefits. Roadmap to a Nordic transport model Anna Lundgren outlined best practices for policymakers and planners engaged in transport infrastructure planning: Acknowledge and navigate the complexities introduced by national borders and multiple governance levels; Ensure that national-level governments and relevant…