Culture and community are important aspects for retaining young people in Nordic rural areas. Several Nordic countries are also making efforts to revitalise rural communities. Examples of this include the convening of the Rural Youth Panel in Norway, to advise on measures aimed at improving rural lives, and the appointment of a parliamentary working group for sparsely populated areas in Finland. The working group’s goals concern the revitalisation of culture and volunteering, strengthening the role of local cultural initiatives and groups, and financing projects connected to the revamping of local cultural activities (Parlamentariska arbetsgruppen för glesbygd, 2020).
Building communities is an important task, but it is important that such efforts are based on a neutral foundation. Such efforts include using existing libraries, develop ‘culture houses’ and make use of other existing spaces that can allow for young people’s cultural expression.
Culture, while important for creating a distinction between regions and municipalities, is often based in tradition. However, for some communities, traditions can be suffocating rather than liberating. For example, the Faroe Islands are among the most conservative parts of the Nordic Region. Religiosity significantly influences Faroese society, particularly with regard to issues of identity and culture (Gaini, 2022). Those who feel like outsiders often choose to leave the Faroes, while those who return tend to settle in the capital, Tórshavn. This may suggest that rural areas are perceived as too restrictive for those who wish to express their individuality, whether regarding their sexuality or other socio-cultural aspects (Gaini, 2022). The notion of “social control” still plays a role in everyday life in the Faroe Islands, but as Gaini points out, social media has empowered young people to create new bonds and identities beyond the influence of their parents or neighbours (2022).
Reports indicate that LGBTQIA+ individuals face greater difficulties in rural settings compared to urban areas in the Nordic Region, although there are intragroup differences (Eggebø, Almli, & Bye, 2015). If young LGBTQIA+ individuals in rural areas are to avoid feeling an urgent need to leave, and if others are to be encouraged to consider moving to rural areas, it is crucial that they see these places as safe and inclusive environments.
Social media and internationally diffused youth cultures mean that social networks and relations are transcending local communities. This means that lonely young people in rural areas who have a hard time finding their community locally are able to find a community online. In this way, social media acts as an invaluable resource for meeting likeminded people. However, social relations and opportunities to engage in activities after school or work still play an important role when considering a future place of residence. Social networks and relations have inherent value when it comes to creating a sense of belonging to a place (Bæck, 2016).
Recommendations:
Listen to youth voices and give young people a platform by supporting and elevating the role of youth councils in municipalities and at different policy levels. Youth involvement in councils and panels should be compensated to encourage and recognise young people’s input to public policy. Youth council recommendations must be taken into consideration and incorporated into policy-making.
Provide or improve existing public meeting spaces that are neutral (not connected to religion, alcohol, etc.) and accessible, such as libraries and swimming pools. Physical social spaces promote increased social cohesion and inclusion, while reducing loneliness and inviting younger and older generations to engage in dialogue about local issues.
Fund and support social and intergenerational engagement initiatives, such as markets and community festivals. These events will create arenas in which young people in rural areas can connect with each other and expand their social groups, which will boost the local culture. Social engagement initiatives and events will also make rural areas more attractive places to live in and move to.
Communicate policies and important practical information in an accessible way by recognising the municipality’s multicultural aspects. This entails providing information in several languages, using accessible and direct terms, so that it can be understood by everyone in the community.
Support social groups that welcome different languages and cultures, in order to encourage young people who have moved to rural areas to engage with the community. These groups should be multilingual. Similar groups can also help non-native speakers practise the local language and learn about local culture, to encourage social cohesion and combat loneliness.