The models for welfare services in the Nordic countries share many similarities. The ‘Nordic model’ is underpinned by a ‘social contract’ which entails collective responsibilities of the society to provide certain services and fulfil human needs, for example, health and social care and education. Due to societal and demographic change, the effects of climate change, globalisation and other factors, the demand and need for services is rapidly changing. The research results show that essential services and service needs are now considered to go beyond traditional welfare services. These changes affect service provisions in rural regions, as a decrease in general population poses challenges to public authorities. Activities have to be adapted to a shrinking population, which is made up of fewer young people and more elderly people, while the need for services provided increases.

The Nordic Region is characterised by different types of physical and geographical realities. Each requires specific approaches to service provisions. These varied geographies include coasts, inland areas, mountains, islands, permafrost, sparsely populated areas and densely populated ones. Nordic public authorities also differ significantly in size, conditions, language, work culture, tax base and responsibilities. In turn all these aspects affect how authorities are able to provide rural services and infrastructures. Within the Nordic Region, different national, regional and municipal authorities and institutions, public companies, private enterprises, civil-society actors and other private and public actors provide services and service infrastructure in rural areas, both individually and in partnerships with each other.

The objective of the project “Service provisions and access to services in Nordic rural areas – secure, trusted and for all ages” is to analyse how essential service needs for different ruralities can be understood and defined. Furthermore, how solutions to rural service provision challenges can be organised. This was done by a review of research literature, a regional policy analyses and 8 case studies from each of the Nordic countries and territories. Additionally, workshops were held to identify examples, solutions and service initiatives within the Nordic region. It also assessed what the essential service needs are and how are they being provided in the rural regions of the Nordic countries.