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In Focus

Swedish Sofia is a nurse in Norway – wants simplified rules

Swedish Sofia is a nurse in Norway – wants simplified rules

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.

Swedish Sofia is a nurse in Norway – wants simplified rules - Read More…

Sounding the alarm for Nordic languages

Sounding the alarm for Nordic languages

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?

Sounding the alarm for Nordic languages - Read More…

The Øresund Bridge: 25 years in a region that creates dynamics

The Øresund Bridge: 25 years in a region that creates dynamics

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.

The Øresund Bridge: 25 years in a region that creates dynamics - Read More…

The Border Service: It should be easy to get it right

The Border Service: It should be easy to get it right

For nearly 30 years, Grensetjänsten Norge–Sverige in Morokulien has provided help for people and businesses crossing the border. Their motto: “It should be easy to get it right”.

The Border Service: It should be easy to get it right - Read More…

More active border obstacle role for Nordic cooperation ministers

More active border obstacle role for Nordic cooperation ministers

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.

More active border obstacle role for Nordic cooperation ministers - Read More…

Little, strong Utsira – life in Norway’s smallest municipality

Little, strong Utsira – life in Norway’s smallest municipality

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.

Little, strong Utsira – life in Norway’s smallest municipality - Read More…

Rich in iron ore, poor in inhabitants

Rich in iron ore, poor in inhabitants

In Pajala in Northern Sweden, the local authority is grateful for the mine but also struggles to maintain and recruit workers.

Rich in iron ore, poor in inhabitants - Read More…

Municipal Denmark to unite freedom and control

Municipal Denmark to unite freedom and control

“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.

Municipal Denmark to unite freedom and control - Read More…

Finland's April elections a test for local power structure

Finland's April elections a test for local power structure

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.

Finland's April elections a test for local power structure - Read More…

Municipal Nordics face common challenges

Municipal Nordics face common challenges

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.

Municipal Nordics face common challenges - Read More…

Iceland’s municipalities slashed in half in 25 years

Iceland’s municipalities slashed in half in 25 years

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.

Iceland’s municipalities slashed in half in 25 years - Read More…

The salmon millions keeping a small Norwegian island society alive

The salmon millions keeping a small Norwegian island society alive

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.

The salmon millions keeping a small Norwegian island society alive - Read More…

Who will look after Sweden’s growing elderly population as birth rates fall?

Who will look after Sweden’s growing elderly population as birth rates fall?

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.

Who will look after Sweden’s growing elderly population as birth rates fall? - Read More…

How Nordic local authorities can create social sustainability

How Nordic local authorities can create social sustainability

A new book from Kristin Reichborn-Kjenner describes how municipalities can create social sustainability in practice. “Sustainability is more than climate, Teslas and battery factories,” says the research professor from the Work Research Institute at OsloMet.

How Nordic local authorities can create social sustainability - Read More…

Gender equality barometer 2025

Gender equality barometer 2025

Gender equality in the top positions of power in the Nordic region in 2025 remains at a low level in NLJ’s gender equality barometer. Women get 68 points – 100 points mean full equality. But it would be even worse if Iceland did not for the first time in history elect both a female prime minister and a female president.

Gender equality barometer 2025 - Read More…

Iceland: Equality must be fought in every sector

Iceland: Equality must be fought in every sector

In Iceland, women are now in a majority in the government coalition, and all three government party leaders are women. Many women also hold major public positions. In general, Iceland is considered one of the most gender-equal countries in the world. Yet despite the good progress, experts say that in many areas, Iceland is a long way from reaching equality.

Iceland: Equality must be fought in every sector - Read More…

Boyhood researcher: "We need to exercise our reading muscle"

Boyhood researcher: "We need to exercise our reading muscle"

There is still work to be done to make Finnish schools more gender equal. An ambitious gender equality programme is needed, believes the Finnish boyhood researcher Harry Lunabba. Both boys and girls would benefit from it. Falling PISA literacy scores can have long-term consequences for pupils.

Boyhood researcher: "We need to exercise our reading muscle" - Read More…

Sweden: Gender gap widens in education, economically and politically

Sweden: Gender gap widens in education, economically and politically

Women are significantly more represented in higher education, especially in rural areas - a trend that is repeated in all Nordic countries. It has given many women a better life with higher employment levels and wages. However, the development also shows that men are falling behind.

Sweden: Gender gap widens in education, economically and politically - Read More…

Nordic maritime sector sets sail towards greater gender equality

Nordic maritime sector sets sail towards greater gender equality

Men still dominate the maritime industry. In certain onboard professions, women are almost absent. Creating a secure working environment for everyone, regardless of gender, is crucial to make the industry more equal, argue the initiators of the Nordic REDO Lookout project.

Nordic maritime sector sets sail towards greater gender equality - Read More…

Equality under pressure – how the Nordics are fighting back

Equality under pressure – how the Nordics are fighting back

More than 50 years after the cooperation on gender equality began, the Nordics are doubling down on the promise to ensure that the region will continue to lead the way in the fight for equality and inclusion.

Equality under pressure – how the Nordics are fighting back - Read More…

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