Photo: Silje Bergum Kinsten / norden.org

The regional growth paradigm could be leveraged more explicitly to foster the development of civil preparedness. If the political willingness exists, national and Nordic regional policies could communicate more explicitly to regional and municipal levels the need to integrate civil preparedness into regional development efforts. That integration could specify concrete actions, focusing on regionally adapted development where sustainability and preparedness are enabled through regional policy tools like regional development strategies, smart specialisation, industrial symbiosis and spatial planning.

In countries with a delegated management model (Finland, Norway and Sweden), civil preparedness should be embedded within the national regional policy framework, with concrete actions developed in local and regional strategies. In more centralised models (the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Åland), civil preparedness could be incorporated into the national agenda and centrally set guidelines. The national levels could set uniform standards for civil preparedness. However, coordination and monitoring are crucial to ensure that resources are directed towards the most critical areas.

There is significant potential to integrate a more mission-oriented approach into both Nordic and national regional policies. That approach would be particularly effective if missions, defined as specific targets for investments and innovations, are aligned with the risks and needs at both national and sub-national levels. Such missions could be spatially targeted, as suggested by Cappellano et al. (2023) and Jessen and Giacometti (2024). For instance, a mission aimed at enhancing food and energy self-sufficiency in a particular region could directly address regional energy and food security concerns while also contributing to broader national and international sustainable development goals.

To further develop and strengthen civil preparedness within regional policy, it is crucial to implement robust monitoring systems and allocate additional resources. That would increase the capacity of regions to carry out preparedness actions effectively. Practical steps could include the introduction of specific implementation guidelines and the tracking of investments designated for civil preparedness within a region. Such measures would ensure that preparedness efforts are systematically planned, resourced and evaluated, helping to increase the resilience of communities across the Nordic Region.

In interviews with key stakeholders, disinformation and hybrid threats have emerged as some of the most significant risks facing the Nordic Region. It is crucial for public administration to engage in discussions on how those threats should be managed, both between different levels of government and in collaboration with civil society and business actors. Although this conversation does not necessarily need to be embedded within regional development policy, it is essential to raise awareness of how hybrid threats and disinformation can potentially undermine all policy areas and their ability to influence society.

Rather than becoming immobilised by such challenges, this should be viewed as an opportunity to plan strategically and identify the most effective communication channels and methods for managing and addressing disinformation. Clear roles and mandates should be established to ensure that threats and fabricated allegations are dealt with calmly and systematically.

Concrete actions to enhance the resilience of digital infrastructure include measures such as the installation of additional fibre cables and the appointment of individuals responsible for overseeing the management of digital systems. In line with the Nordic Vision of becoming the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030, one stakeholder highlighted the potential benefits of greater digital integration between Nordic countries. However, that also introduces risks – if one system fails, it could compromise the entire network. Therefore, it may be prudent to avoid over-centralising digital infrastructure and instead adopt a more diversified approach to ensure greater system resilience.

To mitigate and resolve spatial conflicts related to land use – such as those concerning the production of food, energy and raw materials – it is essential to balance the interests of different sectors. For policy objectives to be realised, implemented and prioritised, strategic spatial planning must be employed. This process should be inclusive and participatory, using geographic mapping tools to guide decisions on what should be located where and when. Through discussions supported by mapping tools, territorial prioritisation work can be undertaken, fostering greater clarity with respect to spatial policy directions and trade-offs.

In all Nordic countries, municipalities are the key decision-makers when it comes to land and water use. While landowners hold significant influence over the land itself, municipalities, as public institutions, are tasked with making decisions that reflect longevity and the public good. That is a positive aspect of social sustainability, as decisions are made close to the affected residents. However, there are clear advantages to planning beyond the municipal level as well.

Regional spatial planning, under which the geographies of multiple municipalities are considered together, can provide a broader and more coherent vision. It helps to clarify the desired policy direction, identify conflicts and uncover synergies between different interests at an inter-municipal level. Moreover, inter-municipal cooperation in spatial planning is also beneficial for fostering shared access to expertise and the financial resources necessary for planning processes. Municipalities collaborating to address challenges such as natural disaster risks and ensuring the provision of essential services like energy, food, healthcare, education and transport can foster a more resilient and sustainable environment for residents across the Nordic Region.

At the national and Nordic levels, it is important to set clear expectations for regional and municipal planning, and ensure that sufficient geographic data are available. Additionally, ongoing support should be provided in terms of methodologies and processes so that proactive land and water use planning at the subnational level is feasible. The continuous updating of mapping data can be resource-intensive for individual municipalities, so a more coordinated effort at the national level would help ensure that accurate, up-to-date data are readily available for effective spatial planning.

The extensive collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders, coupled with the decentralisation of decision-making to the local level is a notable strength in the Nordic Region. Such decentralisation ensures that decisions are made close to citizens, enhancing the sense of agency and trust in the ability to influence outcomes in daily life. However, there are areas where further geographically tailored coordination and collaboration are needed, particularly with respect to the ability of municipalities and regions to supply essential services such as water, electricity, heating, fuel and spare parts. Equally important is the obligation of municipalities and regions to provide timely and accurate information to both authorities and the public. Special centres that offer information, heat and assistance during crises also play a crucial role in ensuring community resilience (cf. SOU, 2024:65).

Interviews with key stakeholders from selected regions across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden reveal a clear need for improved national coordination of crisis preparedness structures and civil responsibilities. It has become evident that some regions are better equipped to handle emergencies than others, highlighting disparities in preparedness capabilities. Those differences may be due to varying regional conditions, which consequently affect the roles regions may take during crises or wars.

Moreover, the regions surveyed have identified an increasing need for a more robust regulatory framework to support the effective management of rising risks, such as wildfires, landslides and floods. To address those growing challenges, more comprehensive risk assessments are required, alongside strengthened safety protocols. The development of a more cohesive, coordinated framework at the national level could help to ensure that all regions are better prepared to respond to emergencies, thereby reducing vulnerabilities and improving overall crisis resilience across the Nordic Region.

Basic and strategic infrastructure is fundamental to ensuring a high quality of life in both peacetime and during crises. That encompasses the maintenance and development of essential physical infrastructure, including roads, railways, electricity grids, water and sewage systems, as well as digital infrastructure such as broadband networks, fibre-optic cables and mobile masts to ensure reliable mobile phone and internet connectivity.

While the Nordic Region is focusing on cutting-edge technologies like 5G and 6G in its collaborative efforts, aiming to stay at the forefront of global innovation, there is also a pressing need to prioritise investment in the foundational digital and physical infrastructure that ensures regional cohesion and robust development. Such infrastructure is not only crucial for everyday life but is also indispensable in times of crisis when transport, mobility and connectivity are key.

To maintain and expand that infrastructure, sustained investment through national public funds is necessary. That investment will ensure that regions, particularly those in more remote areas, are not left behind in terms of access to essential services and digital connectivity. Additionally, ongoing research projects focusing on the balance between surveillance and openness in relation to digital infrastructure in Denmark, Sweden and Norway (Digital Nordic Borders, 2024) may offer valuable insights into managing infrastructure growth while protecting privacy and ensuring transparency.

Furthermore, a Nordic financial fund dedicated to natural disasters could be established. Such a fund could provide critical assistance in the event of significant accidents or emergencies. The Icelandic government's establishment of a fund to buy out houses affected by the 2024 volcanic eruption in Gríndavik serves as a pertinent example of how such a fund can provide timely and effective support to affected communities. That proposal aligns with recommendations by the High-Level Group on the future of EU Cohesion Policy (EC, 2024), as well as the Nordic report by Wigell et al. (2022, p.16-18) regarding a Nordic resilience fund. By investing in such initiatives, the Nordic countries can strengthen their collective resilience to natural disasters and ensure that regional infrastructure can support the needs of citizens during both everyday challenges and extraordinary events.