Editorial
When language and regulations create obstacles in the Nordics
Apr 30, 2025 Nordic freedom of movement is an ideal we like to highlight. Nevertheless, commuters and businesses face practical obstacles every day. Now, new measures are being implemented to remove them, while the Øresund Bridge celebrates 25 years as a symbol of one common region between two countries.
tema
Swedish Sofia is a nurse in Norway – wants simplified rules
Apr 30, 2025 Swedish Sofia Krogh is happy in her job in Indre Østfold municipality in Norway. The pay and pension scheme are good, and her colleagues are nice. Nevertheless, the nurse has considered leaving her job in her neighbouring country several times. The paperwork is demotivating.
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Sounding the alarm for Nordic languages
Apr 30, 2025 Expectations are high for the updated declaration on a Nordic language policy which is now being implemented. New technology and digitalisation are included as tools to strengthen the smaller languages and interest in language. But will young people rather use English?
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The Øresund Bridge: 25 years in a region that creates dynamics
Apr 30, 2025 The Nordic region’s largest labour market this year celebrates 25 years of a fixed link between two countries, in a border region without its own legislation. Instead, two countries must coordinate and cooperate based on their respective laws and regulations.
News
New Danish legislation to tackle social dumping on construction sites
Apr 30, 2025 Bigger fines and immediate shutdowns of construction sites. These are tools that the Danish parliament has granted the Danish Working Environment Authority to fight social dumping in the construction sector, which employs a rising number of immigrant workers who sometimes put their own lives at risk.
tema
More active border obstacle role for Nordic cooperation ministers
Apr 30, 2025 A new six-year programme aims to strengthen the work for freedom of movement in the Nordic region. The goal is to remove more border obstacles, strengthen mobility and secure clearer political ownership when working to improve free movement.
News
A "Laval 2.0" case underway before the Swedish Labour Court?
Apr 30, 2025 Can Swedish trade unions take industrial action against foreign companies to make them pay occupational pensions for their posted workers? That is the question in a new case before the Swedish Labour Court, which bears similarities to the notorious Laval case that had far-reaching consequences for the Nordic countries.
News
Nordic employment services adopt AI in reform drive
Apr 30, 2025 A new OECD report shows how all the Nordics are adopting artificial intelligence in their employment services, albeit at different paces and with varying strategies. Four out of the five countries are also rolling out extensive reforms.
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Little, strong Utsira – life in Norway’s smallest municipality
Mar 27, 2025 When a young Julie Faldt Faurholt moved from Denmark’s smallest municipality – the island of Læsø – she was determined she would never live in such a small place again. But the island she lives on now is far smaller. With 217 people, Utsira is Norway’s smallest municipality.
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Municipal Denmark to unite freedom and control
Mar 27, 2025 “Setting free” is the topic of the day in Danish municipal and national politics. It is seen as a possible key to delivering welfare services to citizens despite fewer resources and labour shortages. Helsingør municipality has had good experiences, but the upcoming local elections could throw a spanner in the works.
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Finland's April elections a test for local power structure
Mar 27, 2025 Finland holds municipal elections in April. At the same time, there are council elections in 21 so-called wellbeing services counties. After the healthcare reform, they will be responsible for social and healthcare services. But interest in running as a candidate and in voting seems to be falling. Perhaps due to a worsening economy and reduced municipal powers. Or because elections have become too frequent.
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Municipal Nordics face common challenges
Mar 27, 2025 Municipalities across the Nordic region are under pressure from ageing populations, labour shortages and rising costs. The challenge is to deliver quality services in line with residents' growing expectations, according to the Nordic municipal organisations.
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Iceland’s municipalities slashed in half in 25 years
Mar 27, 2025 Many Icelandic municipalities have merged, particularly since they assumed responsibility for compulsory education in 1996. Although the number of municipalities has been halved since the start of the century, there are still more than ten that have fewer than 250 inhabitants, and some remain unwilling to merge.
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The salmon millions keeping a small Norwegian island society alive
Mar 27, 2025 Millions of kroner from the fish farming sector contribute to the community and activities in Frøya – from carnival and language cafés to the downpayment of municipal debts. But with most eggs in one basket, the municipality is vulnerable.
tema
Who will look after Sweden’s growing elderly population as birth rates fall?
Mar 27, 2025 Between 2013 and 2023, the number of people in Sweden aged 25 to 60 rose by 455,000. By 2033, that number is expected to grow by a further 13,000 people. There is a similar development in the rest of the Nordics and the EU, which for many municipalities means severe labour shortages.
tema
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