Borderless, secure and vibrant North

The shifting global geopolitical situation will create new requirements in terms of security of supply and security as well as the vitality of border areas. Decisions have been made at the national level, but the future NATO memberships of Norway, Finland, and Sweden and the changing security situation in the surrounding areas have radically changed the situation of border areas. During the corona pandemic, it became apparent that the residents of border areas had trouble getting up-to-date information about regulations in neighbouring countries. Authorities have intensified cooperation and preparedness for possible future crises, but the task of informing civil society about the practices and regulations of other countries is still unsatisfactory. Planned cross-border infrastructure projects aimed at ensuring security of supply, security, a healthy economy and the green transition, cut across reindeer herding, Sami as well as farming areas. In order to take into consideration local residents, different means of livelihood and equality, it is important to bring those affected by the changes into the discussion and to inform them about future plans at an early stage. This operating model strengthens cross-border cooperation and helps build new partnership networks. The main purpose of the project is to organise discussion events in the areas covered by the Tornedalsrådet and Fell Lapland Development in Sweden, Finland and Norway. The purpose of the events is to promote cross-border cooperation by means of communication and discussions, through which all parties can have the opportunity to make an impact. Another important task is preparing the common labour market and business area of the border regions for possible future crises and exceptional situations. Partnership networks of cooperating organisations and persons will be gathered together, with the aim of strengthening cross-border cooperation and communication in the shifting operating environment.

The new cooperation networks have been formed, and knowledge of decision-making, planning processes, preparedness and cooperation between authorities in the neighbouring country has increased. New project ideas have emerged, cooperation between project partners has intensified, and joint advocacy will become more effective. Finland's Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne has said that northern destinations are a priority when talking about new cross-border transport connections. Cooperation between Finland, Sweden and Norway has grown and intensified. During the project, a clear need has emerged to intensify cooperation regarding advocacy and advocacy work in the North Calotte region. The results of the project will be published on the websites of both project partners, they will be distributed to all member municipalities, reported to the Interreg Aurora programme, Region Norrbotten, the New North project, the Artic Rail association, they will be included in the final report of the Nordregion cooperation programme 20212024 and will be presented at the meeting of the Lapland transport system working group in March 2025. The importance of cross-border cooperation is a cross-cutting theme and a common thread throughout the project. Cross-border transport connections are the lifeblood of the vitality of border regions, they connect border municipalities as well as nearby municipalities as well as the entire North Calotte region. Crossborder transport connections enable labour mobility in sparsely populated border regions. They are essential for safety and security of supply. The bridges over the Tornio River are important for Finland's security of supply, but also for the everyday lives of residents. Among other things, it has been repeated in the discussion events that the missing pedestrian and bicycle lanes on the bridges connecting ÖvertorneåAavasaksa, Pello in Sweden and Finland, as well as between Pajala and Kolari, are a matter for the member municipalities' joint advocacy. The event in Pajala and Kolari was combined because both municipalities wanted to hear an overview of the situation regarding a possible new railway connection and bridge connecting Pajala and Kolari. The event in Tornio was interpreted and the invitations were also sent to Haparanda, and the municipal councillor of Övertorneå was also present at the event in Ylitornio. The project has taken into account the effects of the green transition on the cross-border labour market and business area. The mobility of both tourism and labour between countries will increase. The events were organised in the member municipalities so that everyone who wanted to could participate on site or remotely. In order for sparsely populated areas to remain vibrant, the views and needs of residents and businesses must be heard, and efforts must be made to develop the operating environment in the long term. Labour mobility and complementary services are very important for the vitality of border regions. The project has shared information on the planning of cross-border transport connections, the participants have met with regional actors, and they have been able to ask questions and give feedback. With regard to security of supply, security and possible new threats, representatives of the authorities have told about preparedness for possible future exceptional situations, and it has been learned that cooperation between the Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian authorities has intensified and works very well. The cooperation between the project partners will continue, and new partnerships are being established regarding the application process for the wider Interreg Aurora project. On the basis of the discussion events, a cross-border survey of transport connections is being planned, which would serve as joint advocacy material in all three countries. As a follow-up to the discussions, a meeting focusing on transport connections is planned for May 2025 Kiruna