31 million in EU support to help companies affected by the pandemic

Recovery in cultural and creative industries, new marketplaces for Sami entrepreneurs and digital businesses in Swedish Lapland. These are examples of purposes that will share in 31 million kronor in EU support.

The pandemic has hit some industries harder than others. Now the EU is making an effort, React-EU, for industries that have had a particularly difficult time. 31 million is going to six projects in Norrbotten and Västerbotten. They will strengthen the business community's ability to restart and adapt. 

The decision on which projects are prioritized was made by the Structural Funds Partnership's Presidium for Upper Norrland. 

The idea is to help companies in the hospitality, cultural and creative industries, for example, to start over. At the same time, they can develop in a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable direction. The pandemic has actually led to some behaviors that benefit the green and digital transition. 

- The projects that receive funding can help future-proof companies so that the next social crisis may not end with layoffs and bankruptcies, says Helena Öhlund, chairwoman of the Övre Norrland Structural Fund Partnership. 

Swedish Lapland receives 4,4 million to help hospitality companies do digital business directly with customers. The Sami Parliament receives 676 SEK to create a digital marketplace for Sami entrepreneurs. LTU Business receives 000 million SEK for a project where 2,2 companies will undergo a development program to, among other things, attract new customer segments. Region Norrbotten is providing additional funds for these three projects.

Region Norrbotten and Region Västerbotten are also receiving EU funds for their own projects. They aim to help companies adjust during and after the pandemic and enable sustainable growth after the crisis. Region Norrbotten's projects are aimed at small and medium-sized companies that need investments for their long-term survival. 

- The corona pandemic has hit the business sector hard in several ways. Now that we are rebuilding it, we can take the opportunity to build it in a more sustainable way, says Monica Lejon, head of business and society at Region Norrbotten.

Here is the list of prioritized projects

How it works

The Structural Fund partnerships are intended to facilitate common priorities between regional development policy, labour market policy and EU cohesion policy.

The partnership prioritizes applications for the regional structural fund program and the social fund program. The Övre Norrland structural fund partnership covers the counties of Norrbotten and Västerbotten.

The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Development, as the managing authority, makes the formal decisions for each project.

If you have any questions, please contact Monica Lejon, Head of Business and Society.
monica.lejon@norrbotten.se