Norrbotten Strategy 2040 – now the roadmap for the future has been decided
After a two-year process, here it is: The Norrbotten Strategy – the county's joint roadmap towards 2040. The regional development strategy (RUS) is the result of extensive co-creative work in which the whole of Norrbotten has had the opportunity to influence. Now the regional council of Region Norrbotten has adopted it.
– The Norrbotten strategy is ready, but we are not putting it aside. Its adoption is a milestone in the work ahead, but not the goal, says Tove Cullhed, who led the process of developing the strategy.
The new strategy sets out the direction for how Norrbotten will develop into a sustainable and vibrant county for all residents. It connects local needs with national and global goals and strengthens the county's ability to meet both current and future challenges. The focus is on creating environments where people want to live and work, promoting innovation and competitiveness, developing education and skills provision, and building robust infrastructure.
– In the Norrbotten Strategy, we have identified which areas and issues will be crucial for the county to be able to develop and take care of all the investments that are now being made. This is what is required if Norrbotten and Sweden are to be able to take advantage of the competitive advantages that are now emerging, says Anders Öberg (S), chairman of the regional board of Region Norrbotten.
1500 entries and 70 submission responses
The work on the strategy has been characterized by openness and dialogue. During the process, over 1,500 contributions have been collected from residents, companies, organizations and other stakeholders. In addition, 70 organizations have submitted responses to the consultation, which shows the broad support and commitment throughout the county. Children and young people, national minorities and the indigenous Sami people have also played an important role in the work.
– It is fantastic that so many people have gotten involved and contributed their perspectives. With this co-creative process, new networks, contacts and relationships have emerged. We have learned about the conditions in different places and created an increased understanding of what regional development is. And not least, we have increased the commitment to working with regional development, which is valuable when the strategy is now to be realized, says Tove Cullhed.
It has been two years of intensive work for process manager Tove Cullhed. Now that the strategy is in place, it is time for the county's stakeholders to implement it. Photo: Simon Eliasson.
Broad political consensus
The Norrbotten Strategy has been adopted with broad political consensus, which is particularly important as the strategy's goals look fifteen years ahead.
– We all want to create a county that is strong, sustainable and attractive – not only for today's residents, but for future generations. Now that we have agreed on the goals, we have a good basis to start turning them into a political toolbox. Based on the Norrbotten Strategy, we can go from words to action, says Linda Frohm (M), opposition councilor in Region Norrbotten.
The next step is now the regional action plans – some exist, others need to be developed. The strategy is being implemented in collaboration between the county's public actors, private actors and civil society actors. Everyone who lives and works in Norrbotten has a role in shaping the future – together, in new ways.
FACTS: The overall goal of the strategy
The Norrbotten strategy is based on four prioritized areas that together will shape the Norrbotten of the future:
- A life full of possibilities
- Culture, sports and outdoor activities for everyone
- Safe and attractive living environments
- Viable rural areas with accessible services
- Health and well-being throughout life
- A learning and attractive county
- A dynamic system for skills supply
- An equal and inclusive working life
- Lifelong learning for competence and development
- Retain, attract and establish workforce
- Innovative and competitive
- A good place to work
- A broadened business sector that strengthens society
- Transition to sustainable resource use
- Collaboration that strengthens research and innovation
- A closer look at Norrbotten
- Developing a resilient infrastructure
- Building a coherent transportation system
- Promoting sustainable transport
- Strengthening digital infrastructure and energy efficiency
More information about the Norrbotten Strategy can be found here..