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EU elections, geopolitical unrest and green transition - how are northern Sweden affected?

On April 17–18, politicians, decision-makers, business representatives and officials from Sweden's four northernmost counties will meet in Sundsvall. Among other things, they will take note of new legislative proposals from the EU and discuss how these will affect northern Sweden.

Conference room and portrait of Anders Öberg.
Anders Öberg is looking forward to the year's Europaforum. The picture is from last year's conference in Umeå. Photo: Patrick Trägårdh, Umeåbild and press photo from Region Norrbotten.

It's time for the political network Europaforum Norra Sverige's annual conference. This year's theme is EU elections, geopolitical unrest and green transition - how are northern Sweden affected?

– Europaforum Northern Sweden is an important arena for us regional and local politicians. There we can hold discussions and exchange experiences with decision-makers from both the EU and national levels. It contributes to a mutual understanding of the special conditions, development and interests of the northern regions, says Anders Öberg, Chairman of the Regional Board of the Norrbotten Region.

Current affairs

Some of the current issues that will be discussed during the conference in Sundsvall are:

  • What do the EU's sustainability initiatives and the Green Deal and Fit for 55 laws mean for northern Sweden? What effects do they have on the business community?
  • The changing geopolitical situation is causing the EU to look at northern Europe from a new perspective. The connections between northern Sweden, Norway and Finland are becoming increasingly important, and the EU's transport routes and self-sufficiency in raw materials, among other things, have come into focus.
  • The role of the regions in the future EU, after 2027. The EU's regional policy, cohesion policy, is facing great pressure for transformation. Important development resources for northern Sweden are at stake.
  • The European Parliament elections on June 9. What issues are relevant and why is it so important that we vote? There will also be discussions about how the interests of northern Sweden can be taken into account in connection with the EU elections.

During the conference, participants can listen to conversations between decision-makers and senior officials from the EU and national levels, as well as regional and local politicians from northern Sweden. There are also opportunities to participate in discussions, ask questions and gain new perspectives on current EU issues.

“Important days”

– I look forward to these important days. We are meeting at a time when cohesion policy is more important than ever. I am convinced that they will contribute to a fruitful exchange of experiences and a step forward in collaboration, says Anders Öberg.


Photo: Patrick Trägårdh/Umeåbild

Some of the speakers during the days:

  • Anders Ahnlid, Director General, Swedish Board of Trade
  • Sofia Alves, Director, European Commission Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO)
  • Magnus Nilsson, climate policy analyst
  • Mattias Moberg, Head of Unit, Ministry of Infrastructure and Rural Affairs
  • Annika Wäppling Korzinek, Head of representation, European Commission Sweden
  • Ebbe Deraas, Defense Coordinator, Mid-Norway

Watch the Europaforum 2024 live broadcast

Here are the links to the broadcasts:

European Forum 2024 - Day 1 (youtube.com)

European Forum 2024 - Day 2 (youtube.com)

For the full program, go to:

EUROPEAN FORUM 2024 IN SUNDSVALL

Facts: EFNS

Europaforum Northern Sweden (EFNS) is a political network that brings together Sweden's four northernmost regions to safeguard the interests of northern Sweden in issues with a clear EU dimension.

For more than 20 years, the forum has presented northern Sweden's positions with a common voice.

What makes the network unique is EFNS's ability to collaborate across party lines between actors at local, regional, national and EU levels and with the aim of promoting northern Sweden's interests in EU politics.

Facts: Cohesion Policy

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.

For Norrbotten, cohesion policy results in large sums of EU funds that are intended to counteract disadvantages we have, such as long distances and sparseness.
You can read more about cohesion policy here.