Nordic Co Operation Programme For Regional Development And Planning 2017 2020

The Nordic ministers for regional affairs hereby present a joint Nordic co-operation programme that aims to lay the foundation for the evolved exchange of knowledge, to provide examples of successful initiatives within priority policy areas, and to strengthen joint efforts relating to regional policy in the Nordic Region. Nordic co-operation on regional policy has a long history of creating good opportunities for learning, understanding, and joint action. This co-operation is based on the insight that joint learning and solutions are key to achieving results together that contribute to the sustainable development of the individual regions within the Nordic Region as a whole.

On cover: Regional policy. NOGRAN = Nordic Group for Regional Analysis.

Ecosystem services in the Nordic countries entail a high potential with regard to regional growth and job creation. The report Unlocking regional potentials describes recent policy actions taken by the Nordic countries regarding natural and cultural heritage as a valuable resource in sustainable regional development. In addition, the report introduces examples of European and Nordic research and development activities concerning valuation of natural and cultural heritage. Nordic experiences underline the need to apply a broad view on regional development including the importance of natural and cultural heritage to human health, well-being, social inclusion and local identity. There is also a need to develop regional platforms for interaction between different interest groups, and to carry out further analyses of regional assets with regard to natural and cultural heritage.

The 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015, outlines an ambitious and universal plan of action for people, planet and prosperity as it seeks to strengthen universal peace and freedom. This report presents national and Nordic action on Agenda 2030 with the aim to inform and support the Nordic Council of Ministers in formulating a new Nordic Sustainable Development Programme. All Nordic countries are engaged and strongly committed to implementing Agenda 2030 and there is a broad societal interest in joint Nordic action. The existing Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development and several other key initiatives within Nordic cooperation already contribute to the goals of Agenda 2030. A new Nordic Sustainable Development Programme can build upon a strong foundation and add further value to the national and international work done by the Nordic countries.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/politiknord2022-724/ In 2019, the Nordic prime ministers adopted a vision for the Nordic Region to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by the year 2030. The Nordic Council of Ministers was tasked with steering Nordic co-operation towards delivering this vision. The Nordic Council of Ministers is following a special action plan in its efforts relating to the vision for the period 2021 to 2024. Now, after almost two years, a mid-point evaluation has been produced. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine during the period, the Nordic Council of Ministers has delivered concrete results and made an impact. The activities of the Nordic Council of Ministers are being steered towards supporting the Nordic countries as well as possible in their realisation of the vision. Efforts relating to the green transition have been bolstered by way of DKK 120 million in additional funding thanks to a budget redistribution in the period 2021 to 2024. The mid-point evaluation was approved by the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation in September 2022.

In 2017, the Nordic business ministers (MR-Growth) decided that a Nordic plan for co-operation within tourism should becompiled. A working group was established to develop the plan. This Nordic tourism plan for the period from 2019-2023 highlights the business ministers’ priorities, unfolding in the four strategic themes: – Competitive Nordics – Innovative and smart Nordics – Sustainable Nordics – Attractive Nordics The plan is closely linked with the Nordic co-operation programme for business and innovation policy 2018-2021, which sets the framework for the Nordic business ministers’ collaboration.

Thanks to an active process of renewal within the Nordic Council of Ministers, in recent years co-operation has become more flexible and dynamic. The purpose of this annual report is to highlight some examples of the results of this process, categorised into the four main areas of the vision: freedom of movement, innovation, visibility, and international engagement.