Foreword

It should be an attractive prospect to live, study, work and run a business across the entire Nordic Region. However, the new geopolitical situation we find ourselves in is placing greater demands on security, supply and preparedness. Co-operation across borders and a joint approach between the Nordic countries is crucial to ensuring a Green, Competitive and Socially Sustainable Nordic Region, with a high level of resilience and adaptability, that will allow us to attain our shared vision for the Nordic Region as one of the most sustainable and integrated regions in the world by 2030.  

The regions, cities and rural areas which make up the wider Nordic Region all have different preconditions and capacities for development. It is crucial that the solutions put forward to resolve the major and complex societal challenges facing the Nordic Region take their starting point from this baseline. Among other things, this applies to the green and digital transitions, and to the demographic changes that are affecting the regions, cities and rural areas in different ways.

The Nordic Region is one of the most innovative and competitive regions in the world, where innovative companies are able to generate the economic growth that is important to our prosperity and well-being. This creates the necessary framework for good and secure lives – both in cities and in rural areas.

However, the worsening geopolitical situation and greater levels of global uncertainty have sharpened focus on the need to boost the Nordic Region’s resilience and adaptability, as well as our ability to resist and address different strains, disturbances and crises. A strong civil society, access to work, education, transport and access to both public and private services – in times of peace and times of crisis – are important components in ensuring that regions, cities and rural areas can remain secure and stable across the entire Nordic Region.

The Nordic Council of Ministers for Sustainable Growth (Regional) constitutes the framework for Nordic co-operation within regional development and planning. This co-operation programme for 2025–2030 establishes the political objectives and priorities for Nordic co-operation within regional development and planning. Focus is placed on areas within which the Nordic countries can jointly – through collaboration, common efforts and the exchange of experience and learning – contribute towards a greener, more competitive and more socially sustainable Nordic Region.

Peter Kullgren
Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs

Karen Ellemann
Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers