Goal 2: Greater Competitiveness through Sustainable Management and Use of Resources

This goal contributes to all three of the strategic priorities. It contributes to a Green Nordic Region by placing focus on sustainable business practices and circular solutions in line with the green transition. It contributes to a Competitive Nordic Region via initiatives that aim to boost profitability and competitiveness for the FJLS sectors in the Nordic Region. Finally, it contributes to a Socially Sustainable Nordic Region in that it benefits the labour force and promotes better career opportunities in the FJLS sectors.

Support for the establishment of Nordic fora and meeting places for public authorities, academia, civil society and businesses that are active within the FJLS policy area. Reinforce co-operation around market and industry research for the FJLS sectors through the active use of institutions such as NordForsk and Nordic Innovation, with particular importance being placed on the leveraging of synergies between calls for proposals in the Nordic Region and in the EU. Collaborations are to be sought for innovation, knowledge building and pilot projects for sustainable, circular solutions and new, bio-based products from FJLS value chains which build competitiveness and economic added value.

Support for the development of a Nordic statistics base for the provision of relevant information for industry, public authorities and research sector within the FJLS policy area. Collaboration is to be sought with other Councils of Ministers that focuses on border obstacles, labour force, digitalisation, education, skills development and growth, for the development of high-quality statistics and cross-sectoral data that promotes economic value generation and bolsters sustainability and competitiveness.

Support for initiatives that work to counteract structural obstacles, contribute to greater equality and improve conditions for a younger and more diversified labour force. Such initiatives could also contribute towards regional development, greater career opportunities within FJLS, enhanced social sustainability, greater competitiveness and greater resilience within food supply systems. Co-operation is also to be promoted between training and skills development in the Nordic Region and between businesses and sites of education and training in order to boost the attractiveness of the FJLS sectors.