EU ready to invest billions in the transition in Norrbotten
The sustainable transformation of society in Norrbotten is a fantastic opportunity – but it comes at a cost. Investments in infrastructure, research and skills development are required. Now the opportunity to receive financial support in the billions from the EU is opening up.
In Sweden, Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Gotland have been identified as priority areas in the green transition. The European Commission and the European Investment Bank, EIB, have now agreed on a new initiative to support the transition to a fossil-free economy. This mainly concerns preferential loans from the EIB to actors in the public sector.
In total, the EU is investing a total of SEK 115 billion to help the regions most affected by the transition to climate neutrality. Approximately SEK 100 billion of this is in loans on preferential terms.
– This opens up valuable opportunities for the establishment municipalities in the county. They are already under great pressure from great needs and tight schedules. These funds can really make a difference, so it is important that the municipalities do not wait to submit their applications, says Nils-Olov Lindfors, regional councilor (C).
Facilitate the transition to fossil-freedom
The idea behind the initiative is to facilitate the transition to a sustainable society where the challenges are greatest. The steel industry still accounts for a large part of Sweden's carbon dioxide emissions, even though Norrbotten is at the forefront of the journey towards fossil-freedom. The EU's Just Transition Fund, JRO, provides grants that can be used for research, innovation and investments in the new facilities where fossil-free steel will be produced. They can also be used to train and equip employees in today's steel production for tomorrow's production of steel without coal.
– Region Norrbotten has had a dialogue with both the European Commission, the Government Offices and the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth to try to ensure that the investment would be as beneficial as possible for Norrbotten. It is gratifying that opportunities are now opening up for our public actors to take part in these loans, says Nils-Olov Lindfors.
“Continuous conversations for a long time”
Part of the dialogue has originated from the Norrbotten Region's representation in Brussels. North Sweden European Office represents Norrbotten but also Region Västerbotten, Region Västernorrland and Region Jämtland Härjedalen towards the EU. Here, John Kostet works with the EU's Arctic issues and regional policy.
– These questions landed with a unit at the European Commission that we have very good contact with. They know how we think and have good knowledge of how Norrbotten can develop. We have had ongoing discussions about it for a long time. It has been good to be able to use this contact at the Commission, we have felt that we have received a great response and impact for how we wanted it, says John Kostet after today's announcement from the European Commission and the EIB.