Questions and answers about Norra Scen in Almedalen

Almedal Week, which takes place 22-26 June 2026 on Gotland, is a democratic meeting place for everyone who wants to be part of the conversation about current social issues. Region Norrbotten has representatives there. Here you can read about why we are there.  

What is Region Norrbotten doing in Almedalen?

Region Norrbotten arranges Norra Scen together with LKAB and LTU. We have two roles there. First, we drive Region Norrbotten's issues as regional development managers. Second, we enable other actors in Norrbotten to arrange activities in Almedalen. It is part of Region Norrbotten's assignment from the state: to lead the work of developing the county.

Some officials go to work on the event itself. Then some managers and politicians go to participate in panel discussions, build networks, talk to other decision-makers and try to influence the agenda at the national level.  

What kind of image of Norrbotten is to be conveyed there?   

Region Norrbotten wants to present a picture of a county that already contributes enormously to Sweden as a country but also carries even greater future potential. Norrbotten also grapples with challenges that are the concern of all of Sweden to solve.   

This year we will provide a situational picture of the ongoing industrial investments in Norrbotten. We will highlight the currently unreasonable distribution of risk and profit between state and municipality, and why the state must step in and reduce the risks for the establishment municipalities in the county. We will talk about the importance of the Malmbanan Railway for the export industry and security of supply, and about the housing shortage as a critical bottleneck.   

In addition, we highlight the role of culture in society – that culture is business, jobs, personal development, public health, community and resilience in troubled times. How can national, regional and municipal levels, business and civil society contribute to harnessing the developmental power of culture?  

Region Norrbotten has visited Almedalen several years before, what has it given Norrbotten over the years?  

Our work to promote and raise awareness of Norrbotten is long-term, and takes place in many arenas with several different methods. Attending Almedalen is one of them. It is rare to see an immediate connection between a certain effort and a certain outcome. But Norrbotten would not have received the attention we have received in recent years if we had kept to ourselves and talked to each other. Our issues are national issues and belong in a national arena.

Region Norrbotten's participation in Almedalen is about putting issues on the agenda, increasing and deepening knowledge about our county, and ultimately achieving policies that are good for both Norrbotten and the development of all of Sweden.  

How much does it cost to participate in Almedalen Week, and what does the county get for the money?  

Region Norrbotten has allocated 1,5 million for Almedalen. It is financed within the framework of an existing project, Meeting Places 2025–2027. LKAB is contributing an equal amount and LTU is also contributing to the financing. This year, Norra Scen will be visited by business leaders, professors, debaters, representatives of civil society, the Armed Forces, members of parliament, the Swedish representation of the EU Commission and representatives of the state and government. It is difficult to gather so many central actors in three days in any other context. 

Through the project, the region also provides an opportunity for all the county's municipalities to follow and present their municipality's needs, create networks and learn from experiences from other municipalities. In order for us to be truly successful, we must involve our municipal representatives in various issues.  

It is important to keep in mind that the votes from Norrbotten are few. We have a handful of members of parliament, we have no one in the government and we have no one in the European Parliament. When there is almost no one to speak for us, it becomes all the more important that we ourselves take a seat and raise our voices.  

Where can I take part in Norrbotten's program at Norra Scen? 

On the website Utveckla Norrbotten you can take part in the program and watch recorded seminars: Norrbotten in Almedalen - Develop Norrbotten