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  4. Norrbotten's challenges require strengthened regional leadership - here is the plan for the coming years

Norrbotten's challenges require strengthened regional leadership - here is the plan for the coming years

The social transformation that Norrbotten is undergoing challenges our county in a number of ways. The regional development committee has now determined which issues are prioritized for the years 2025-2027.

People on the pedestrian street in Boden on a summer day, with green trees and park benches.
Photo: Mats Engfors

The Norrbotten Region has been tasked by the Riksdag and the government with responsibility for regional development. But no single actor can drive this work on their own - cooperation is required.

– All development ultimately takes place somewhere other than at Region Norrbotten. It takes place at a municipality, in a company, at a learning center, in a laboratory, in a residential area, on a cultural stage or in a ditch where a fiber cable is buried. Our role is to hold the work together, drive it forward and ensure participation by everyone involved. In the coming years, we will take new steps to strengthen our leadership, says Helena Ölund, chairwoman (S) of the regional development committee.

The Regional Development Board's plan for 2025-2027 identifies a number of areas that the Regional Development Department will focus on.

This includes, among other things:

  • increase knowledge about designed living environments and support municipalities in their work.
  • build a good structure for regional community planning, with common digital tools
  • develop cultural infrastructure and collaboration
  • strengthen our national minorities and the indigenous Sami culture
  • build a new and strong structure for collaboration in the area of ​​skills provision
  • take steps to reduce emigration and increase immigration
  • strengthen the regional innovation system that promotes new solutions
  • through business support, make it easier for businesses, especially in sparsely populated areas
  • More digital community and welfare services will be developed and contribute to services in sparsely populated areas.
  • Conduct advocacy work for the Norrbothnia Line, measures for existing railways and continued air traffic to and from the county.

– Development is a prerequisite for well-functioning welfare in Norrbotten. These efforts will generate jobs and growth throughout the county and attract people to live, work and live here. We look forward to the coming years and the good cooperation with everyone who is involved in developing Norrbotten, says Janus Brandin, Regional Development Director.

For the work covered by the plan, the Regional Development Board has a financial framework of SEK 448,9 million. The budget for 2025 includes special investments in the following activities:

  • Go Business, an incubator that supports entrepreneurs in the county, receives operating support of 1 million SEK for 2025.
  • The Norrbotten Region Education Association receives an increased grant of two million kronor to the county's study associations and folk high schools. This is the third year in a row that the Norrbotten Region is making a special investment in folk education.
  • Lule Stassteater, Riksteatern Norrbotten, Svenska Tornedalingars riksförbund and Dans i Nord will receive increased operating support. Konstfrämjandet Norrbotten will receive SEK 250 in operating support as a new applicant.