Work on the seven-year plan finally completed: "A relief"

How should we use the hundreds of millions of kronor that the EU is giving to Norrbotten? That is a question that Per Erik Andersson and his colleagues have been working on for almost three years. A few weeks ago, the EU Commission hammered out the first program that Region Norrbotten has worked on.
– It's a relief that we've managed to get this off the ground, says Per Erik, strategist at the regional development department.

Cohesion policy, ERDF, ESF, Interreg, JTF, smart specialisation strategy, structural fund partnerships. Concepts that few are familiar with and understand. But fundamentally it is about money coming from the EU. A lot of money.

– We receive almost 140 million in grants from the state to develop our region. How much do we get from the ERDF? 1 billion. Interreg Aurora alone is almost a billion, says Per Erik Andersson.

Gör skillnad

This is money that makes a difference for the people of Norrbotten, universities, companies, municipalities and associations. It is money that can be used for adult education, bridges, ports, railways, learning centers, research projects, greenhouses powered by waste heat and broadband in rural areas.

– We get funds for what we need, such as having a good infrastructure where we can send out goods and have better mobility of people.

The money will contribute to the sustainable development of the county. But what areas do we want to invest the money in? That is what is stated in the so-called programs. The programs cover seven years – this time the period 2021-2027. There is a program for each structural fund that Norrbotten receives money from. This time it was:

- ERDF (European Regional Development Fund)
- ESF+ (European Social Fund)
- JTF (Just Transition Fund)
- Interreg Aurora

Links in a chain

The whole point of the money is to make the EU as a whole stronger. The Union is a chain where each region is a link. If each link is strengthened, the whole chain becomes stronger.

– How should we in Norrbotten use the money in the best way so that the EU becomes stronger and can compete in the world? All regions should contribute in their own way to making the EU stronger in research, business development, skills development, digital technologies and so on. The EU offers us money and asks us how we would like to use it over the next seven years, explains Per Erik Andersson.

Each region tries to capture its strengths, its developable advantages, in a so-called Smart Specialization strategy. It provides guidance when developing programs.

What are Norrbotten's contributions to making the EU stronger?

– Some are completely unique. Space is one such part. Then we have the green transition. The possibilities with test industries and visitor industries, says Per Erik's colleague Ylva Sardén, who has also spent a lot of time working on the programs.

Long road to a successful program

In the work on the programs, many voices, thoughts and ideas have taken place. Region Norrbotten has discussed with colleagues in Västerbotten. Held dialogues, webinars and forums. This has revealed, for example, research areas where Norrbotten has good conditions. But the programs are a framework and a guideline, there are no concrete projects included. It is companies, universities and the organization that later fill the programs with content with their ideas.

The road to getting there is long, however. Per Erik Andersson and his colleagues began the work in early 2020, before the pandemic. It took almost three years to get everything done. Because once the 150-page program has taken shape, the Ministry of Enterprise and Industry will read it and ask questions. When they are satisfied, the European Commission will take over with new comments and questions.

– But what about the forest? Or the wolf? In Sweden you have clear-cutting, isn't that good? How did you arrive at this number of households? Then we have to answer.

This process was first delayed by a month, then by six months, then by two years. The delay is due, among other things, to Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine.

– When you think you're done, you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Then you discover that the light was the express train that brought new questions. Just getting the team back together. It's a jolt that's hard to describe.

“A big challenge”

Finally, the light was on for real. The European Commission finally hammered out the programs.

– It's absolutely wonderful. It's a relief that we've managed to row this ashore. It's been a big challenge, says Per Erik Andersson.

Now the so-called Structural Funds Partnership, where actors from different parts of society are represented, has selected a number of projects that will receive funds and fill the program with content. For Region Norrbotten, it is soon time to look ahead to the next program period – 2028-2034. The advocacy work around that period will begin as early as this summer. What do we want to change then?

– I think we need to invest more money in creating a wide range of industries. Today, steel, mining, forestry and hydropower account for 50% of what we produce. As long as you need iron or forestry, things are going great, but what happens if that changes? In an attractive and socially sustainable Norrbotten, we need to develop other industries, such as gaming or the tourism industry.

"Optimism about Norrbotten"

This is the first time that Region Norrbotten has been responsible for writing the program. When the previous period was written, 2014-2020, the County Administrative Board was responsible for the county's development. Per Erik was also involved then, but sees that it is a different Norrbotten today than it was then.

– The green transition has exploded. Today we have an optimism about Norrbotten that is completely different. We were a crooked old man, but now we have stood up and stretched. Look at us, we exist!
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Develop Norrbotten explains

ERDF (European Regional Development Fund): includes funds for research and innovation, broadband, digitalization, business development, skills supply, renewable energy, climate adaptation, circular economy, infrastructure.

ESF+ (European Social Fund): supports skills supply and an inclusive labor market. To educate people and combat exclusion.

JTF (Just Transition Fund): It is about supporting the transition in those parts of Europe where the local economy relies heavily on fossil fuels and technology that must be phased out for the sake of the climate. In Sweden, Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Gotland are covered by FRO. Called in English Just transition fund (JTF).

Interreg Aurora: supports cross-border collaborations in northern Sweden, northern Norway and northern Finland. This can involve research, innovation, entrepreneurship, climate adaptation, biodiversity, cross-border mobility of people and products. Education, culture and tourism. The collaborations can involve everything from authorities to non-profit associations.

Cohesion Policy: aims to develop Europe's regions by reducing regional disparities and inequalities between people. The goal is to contribute to economic, social and territorial cohesion within Europe. You can read more about cohesion policy here.

Smart specialization strategy (S3): A strategy that identifies which areas a region has the best potential to develop. Here it is available in full length and as a short version.

The Structural Funds Partnership for Upper Norrland: 24 members from politics, non-profit organizations, authorities, the university and the Sami Parliament review the ideas that have been submitted and decide whether they fit into the programs. If they do, they have the opportunity to receive EU money.

The Swedish Growth Agency: Makes the final decisions on which projects will receive EU funding.

Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa