In Focus
Danish GreenKayak promotes sustainable tourism
Rent a kayak and pick litter out of Copenhagen’s harbour. That was the simple idea Tobias Weber-Andersen had while out running one day in 2017. Nine years later, GreenKayak is a tourism magnet with kayaks in four Nordic countries, plus Germany and Japan.
Tourism, yes please – but on the locals’ terms
Tourism is coming in for increased criticism, especially in Spain, but also in other popular destinations like Amsterdam, Berlin and Venice. Unease about the number of tourists also exists in some places in the Nordics, and many are working on strategies for more sustainable tourism.
15,000 volunteers queuing up to help Faroese nature
When the Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands announced in 2019 that he would close the country for an entire weekend to allow for the restoration of environmental damage, more than 3,000 volunteers from around the world said they wanted to help. Since then, the Faroes have repeated the success every year. 15,000 applied for this year’s 80 spaces.
Startups and Moomin beat Lenin in the industrial city of Tampere
Tampere – Finland's Manchester – was a thriving industrial city. Now it is fighting unemployment and is investing in tourism and startups. But the industrial heritage lives on, as seen at the Finnish Labour Museum Werstas. Yet most popular of all is perhaps the Moomin Museum.
Iceland: Sustainability no longer a choice but a necessity
Iceland is seen as an environmentally friendly country in many ways, but sustainability is still a relatively new concept – even within the tourism industry. Interest is now growing, especially as customers increasingly demand responsible choices.
Tourism when the destination takes centre stage
Sustainable tourism is about preservation. Regenerative tourism is about improvement and contributing to recovery. Kullaberg Nature Reserve involves the surrounding community to maximise the positive effects of tourism.
Norway’s Fløibanen funicular: on track for sustainability
With more than 2.3 million annual visitors, how does Bergen’s Mount Fløyen balance growth and sustainability?
The price of a Nordic tourist boom
Tourism in the Nordic region has grown a lot over the past decades. It creates jobs and money in the state coffers. But mass tourism comes at a price. And local communities and researchers are sounding the alarm: Sustainable tourism must be about more than the climate and money.
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.
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?
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 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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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