Dan makes sure that Norrbotten is heard in Stockholm
Region Norrbotten has a person in place in Stockholm who works to raise important issues for the county. His name is Dan Wergelius, and his mission is to make Norrbotten's voice heard where the big decisions are made.
– My mission is to ensure that Norrbotten's issues are on the national agenda, in the Riksdag, government and with various authorities. If we are not there to talk, no one else will do it for us, says Dan Wergelius, strategist for external relations at Region Norrbotten.
Since June 2023, Dan has been working to bring forward issues that are important for Norrbotten. This could include the importance of regional airports, the Malmbanan railway and the supply of skills to have a functioning society around the establishments that are taking place. Issues that are existential for the county in the long term, but also for Sweden in the current world situation.
– Since the current government lacks ministers from northern Sweden, the presence is more important than ever. It is then important for Norrbotten to have someone in place who can highlight our perspectives as facts for decision-makers, says Dan.
Four counties in one location
The Stockholm office also has representatives from Västerbotten, Västernorrland and Jämtland Härjedalen. Together they collaborate to raise issues that affect all of northern Sweden.
“We have found the form for how we work together. We get traction from each other and are increasingly being contacted by those who want to know about our needs instead of us having to hunt people down to tell them about them,” says Dan.
North Sweden Stockholm Office is located at Gamla Brogatan 19 in central Stockholm. The roll-up is about an event that Region Norrbotten's company Invest in Norrbotten held at the Stockholm office.
Current challenges
Norrbotten faces major challenges but also opportunities. The region plays a central role in Sweden's future in both business, preparedness and defense.
– We want to show that Norrbotten is not a problem to be solved, we are part of the solution, says Dan, and believes that much of what happens in northern Sweden is crucial for the development of all of Sweden.
“We are nourishing, not depleting. But it's easy to forget if no one reminds us of it,” says Dan.
Even in the EU, northern Sweden is seen as an important part of Europe's future. During the new mandate, the focus is on competitiveness and security. Norrbotten is an important cog in the wheel there.
Visit of members of parliament to North Sweden Stockholm Office November 2024.
The relationship to Norrbotten
Even though Dan has never lived in Norrbotten, he has strong roots here. Growing up, he spent a lot of time in the county and now he is here on average once a month.
“This job has become a way for me to connect with my roots,” he says.
Dan has previously worked with social issues, business and international relations in Stockholm, including at the Olof Palme International Center. Now he is using his experiences to strengthen Norrbotten's position.
– I usually say that I am a generalist among experts. My colleagues at Regionhuset have the in-depth knowledge, I ensure that the messages reach nationally, says Dan.
On site in Almedalen
For the fourth year in a row, Region Norrbotten is participating in the annual Almedalen Week in Visby. Together with LKAB and Luleå University of Technology, the region is arranging the meeting place Norra Scen, where issues that are important to the county are in focus.
– During the week, we organize seminars, roundtable discussions and meetings where representatives from the region and the county's municipalities meet national politicians, business representatives and others, such as government officials, representatives from the Armed Forces, civil society and others who we wish to include in the discussion on the issues that are important to us, says Dan.
Together with his colleagues in the regional development department, Dan works to ensure a good program at Norra Scen.
Text: Charlotte Norenius Högnelid