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European Forum Northern Sweden 2026

Europaforum Northern Sweden is a meeting place for EU policy that affects developments in the north every day. A warm welcome to Kiruna!

Europaforum Web 940X550

Europaforum is northern Sweden's major annual conference on EU issues, now being held for the thirtieth time. A knowledge arena about issues that may seem difficult, but are important to understand and influence.

During the forum, you can listen to decision-makers from the EU and national level in dialogue with regional and local politicians. Together we will talk about the importance of location for the EU's competitiveness, learn new things, discuss and analyze.

The conference will take place from lunch to lunch on May 7-8 at Aurora Culture & Congress in the new Kiruna city center.

Programme
Venue: Dalvi at Aurora Culture and Congress

Day 1

11.00 Registration opens and Democracy Square opens
11.30 Lunch opens
13.29 The European Anthem
13.30 Video greeting

Raffaele Fitto, (Vice-President of the European Commission, Cohesion and Reforms)

13.35 Introduction

How can EU policies strengthen competitiveness, security and sustainable development in Europe's northernmost regions? The question is more relevant than ever. When Europe switches to renewable energy, secures raw materials and develops industry, it directly affects how our regions grow and how societies are built.

Welcome to the 30th edition of the Europaforum Northern Sweden conference.

Jonas Andersson (S), Chairman of the Europaforum Northern Sweden, Chairman of the Regional Development Committee in Region Jämtland Härjedalen
Maria Wetterstrand (moderator)

13.45 Presentation of proposals for the Kiruna Declaration 4.0

Review of the proposal for the Kiruna Declaration 4.0. It is a joint position on how EU policy should be designed with the place as a starting point. During the conference, work continues in a joint process where participants contribute to shaping the final declaration.

Anders Öberg (S), Chairman of the Regional Board of Region Norrbotten

14.00 Part 1 – The battle for the EU's long-term budget

The EU is negotiating its next long-term budget, the plan that governs the Union's spending over seven years. The budget is being drawn up at a time of focus on competitiveness, industrial restructuring and a more uncertain security situation. Many regions, including northern Sweden, need long-term investments in infrastructure, skills and sustainable development. The conversation highlights the choices that await in the negotiations and what role Sweden may take.

Annika Korzinek Wäppling, European Commission Representation in Sweden
Per Johansson, EU Parliament Representation in Sweden
Erik Ottosson (M), Member of Parliament and Chairman of the EU Committee
Matilda Ernkrans (S), Member of Parliament and Vice-Chair of the EU Committee

15.00 Comments and questions from reporters and audience
15.10 Coffee break and Democracy Square
16.00 Part 2 – Parallel seminars
Three seminars highlight important parts of the EU's policy for regional development and competitiveness.

Parallel seminar: Municipalities, regions and the EU's competitiveness

How are municipalities and regions affected by EU industrial policy initiatives, and how does the European Parliament view their role in Europe's competitiveness? The focus is also on the EU's long-term budget and how it can be used to strengthen the competitiveness of municipalities and regions. Special attention is given to the Competitiveness Fund and its importance for local and regional development.

Per Johansson, EU Parliament Representation in Sweden
Anders Öberg (S), Chairman of the Regional Board of Region Norrbotten
Johan Loock (M), opposition councilor in Region Jämtland Härjedalen
Ann Åström (S), Municipal Executive Board of Skellefteå Municipality

Parallel seminar: How can cohesion policy strengthen regions?

Carl Vincent Reimers from the think tank Timbro presents the significance of the Draghi report for Sweden. This is followed by an overview of the EU's long-term budget and the work on Sweden's National and Regional Partnership Plan (NRPP). The session concludes with a panel discussion on which perspectives and choices can strengthen northern Sweden's competitiveness and vitality during the period 2028-2034.

Carl-Vincent Reimers, Timber
Anna Halvarsson, Community Council
Rickard Carstedt (S), Chairman of the Regional Development Committee in Region Västerbotten
Linn Berglund Pantzare, LTU Business
Max Englund, North Sweden European Office

Parallel seminar: Military mobility and preparedness – from strategy to reality

Military mobility has become a priority issue for the EU and the Nordic countries in a deteriorating security situation. New EU initiatives and Nordic cooperation will strengthen the ability to move military personnel and equipment quickly. The seminar focuses on how the strategies are put into practice. It addresses funding through the EU’s CEF programme as well as challenges in infrastructure, regulatory frameworks and coordination between civilian and military needs.

Annika Wäppling Korzinek, European Commission Representation in Sweden
Kerstin Hansdotter, Swedish Transport Administration
Carina Sammeli (S), Chairwoman of the Municipal Executive Board of Luleå Municipality
Erik Lövgren (S), Chairman of the Municipal Board of Ånge Municipality
Lotta Rönström, North Sweden European Office

17.00 Part 3 – What will become of Sweden's EU policy?

Just over 30 years after Sweden joined the EU, we are faced with new choices. In the Swedish debate, the EU is often described as a system of rules or as a cost in the state budget. But the EU is also a collaboration where many decisions are made together with other countries – decisions that affect both the Swedish economy and how our northern regions develop.

This conversation is about which path Sweden's EU policy should take in the future. The focus is on how European cooperation affects national decisions and the development that takes place in the regions. How can Sweden work to strengthen its role in the EU, while at the same time harnessing the potential of the regions?

Katarina Areskoug Mascarenhas, Impact Europe
Teresa Küchler, Svenska Dagbladet
Elle Merete Omma, Sami Council

17.50 Comments and questions from reporters and audience
18.00 End of day 1
18.15 Democracy Square closes
18.30 The doors of the City Hall open for mingling
19.00 Dinner

Day 2

08.30 Part 4 – The Battle for the Arctic (English)

The Arctic has rapidly become a geopolitically important region. Climate change, increased demands on natural resources, and a changing security situation have made the area central to Europe's strategic interests.

The EU and Sweden are now reviewing their Arctic strategies. Northern Sweden plays a central role, with its raw materials, energy and industry. At the same time, the Arctic is also home to communities where people live and work. Investments in infrastructure, skills and strong local economies are needed here. This is crucial to achieving stronger competitiveness, security and sustainable development. How can Arctic policy contribute to viable communities in the region?  

Jonas Brobakken, Swedish Armed Forces
Jorgen Olsson, Viscaria
Claude Veron-Reville, EU External Action Services
Raphael Goulet, European Commission

09.20 Comments and questions from reporters and audience
09.30 Group photo and coffee
10.00 Part 5 – Is the parliamentary election an EU election?

The next government will take office when the EU will make important decisions on budget, energy, infrastructure and security. For northern Sweden, these issues are interconnected. The EU's energy market, investment programs and regional policy directly affect the industrial transition and how societies grow.

At the same time, there is rarely any discussion about what EU policies Sweden is pursuing and how they affect local communities. To what extent are this autumn's parliamentary elections also an EU election? What role should the next government take in shaping EU policy?

Carl-Vincent Reimers, Timbro
Eric Luth, Fores
Rosanna Endre, Arena Idé
Daniel Persson, Norrbottens-Kuriren
Veronica Palm, Northern Social Democrats

11.10 Comments and questions from rapporteurs and audience
11.20 Part 6 – Kiruna Declaration 4.0 and conclusion

The conference will conclude with the adoption of the Kiruna Declaration 4.0. The declaration is based on the experiences of regions with important energy, raw material and industrial values. It provides recommendations to Sweden and the EU on investments that play an important role in Europe's development.

Jonas Andersson (S), Chairman of the Europaforum Northern Sweden, Chairman of the Regional Development Committee in Region Jämtland Härjedalen
Anders Öberg (S), Chairman of the Regional Board of Region Norrbotten

11.55 European Forum Northern Sweden 2027

Rickard Carstedt (S), Chairman of the Regional Development Committee in Region Västerbotten

11.59 European Anthem
12.00 Lunch

Side events

  • Wednesday, May 6th, 18:00-20:30 PM. The bus departs from City Hall Square.
    Dinner at Hjalmar Lundbomsgården
    Curt Persson, professor of history, tells the Story of Kiruna
    Bus transportation to and from hotels is included.

  • Thursday, May 7, 08:00-11:30 a.m. The bus departs from City Hall Square.
    Guided city tour by bus in old and new Kiruna

  • Thursday, May 7, 08:00-11:00 a.m. The bus departs from City Hall Square.
    Visit to LKAB's mine, including round-trip transportation from the new center

    Please note! It is no longer possible to register for the side events.

Contact:

Questions about bookings: NEX group and conference, nexgrupp@nex.se, Phone: 0920-753 30

Questions about practical information: Åsa Snällfot, 070-555 15 53, asa.snallfot@norrbotten.se

Questions regarding the secretariat: Jenny Mozgovoy, 070-785 10 44, jenny.mozgovoy@norrbotten.se

Questions about the program: Mimmi Rönnqvist, 076-108 23 98, mimmi.ronnqvist@norrbotten.se

Stay in Kiruna over the weekend

We offer a few different options for those who want to stay in Kiruna over the weekend at their own expense. Take the opportunity to go skiing in the Arctic mountains or visit the world-famous Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi!

The Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi