“Successful regional development requires local knowledge”

In early October, the OECD held a conference on place-based economic development. Regional, national and international opinion leaders and actors from business, the public sector and civil society gathered in Moncton, Canada. Janus Brandin, Regional Development Director in Region Norrbotten, was invited as a keynote speaker and participant in three panel discussions.

– In my speech on industrial transformation, I based my speech on the conclusions of The McKinsey report which we released in May last year. The investments and industrial transformation taking place in Norrbotten make our region a world leader in the effort to become fossil-free, Janus says about his days in Canada.

Topics covered included trade uncertainty, climate change, demographic challenges, well-being and productivity barriers, and attractiveness.

“We do it together”

At the seminar on talent attraction, Janus Brandin highlighted the value of collaboration in two important projects: the one surrounding the Emigration Expo fair in the Netherlands and also the Norrbotten Competence Arena.

– The key to succeeding in our work to attract new residents to Norrbotten is that we do it together with the county's municipalities, said Janus Brandin.

During the conference, participants exchanged ideas, policies and practices that respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by major global trends. What really works and delivers regional development that can withstand stress?

The OECD conference was a good opportunity to talk about Norrbotten, build networks and learn from the experiences of others. Photo: OECD

Concerns over wave of centralization

At a seminar on multi-level governance, Janus Brandin highlighted that much of the industrial transition comes from EU funding of research and innovation.

– We are genuinely concerned about the Commission's proposal for a new EU budget, about the state's wave of centralization and proposals for national control over regional development, he said and continued:

–Successful regional development requires local knowledge and must start from the ground up. Government agencies are too far away to be the driving force and should therefore not drive regional development. That is our job together with the county's municipalities and other stakeholders.

OECD is an important partner to Region Norrbotten, as their reports have great legitimacy and can be used in our knowledge-raising work. We are happy for the opportunity to participate in the conference, the great response and to take part in the work of other regions.