3. Six Nordic case studies 

The six EDYNORA case studies (see Map 1) explore the potential roles that PHEIs can play in retaining young people, addressing evolving skill needs, and meeting the demands of local and regional employers. The aim is to investigate innovative approaches to organising, delivering, and developing education in peripheral areas, while identifying key characteristics, strategies, success factors, and challenges. The findings are intended to provide relevant insights for Nordic policymakers and practitioners.  

The selection of case studies was motivated by recommendations from the Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Education and Research (EK-U), complemented by desk research on innovative cases of educational institutions and campuses in smaller cities. The case studies were selected to illustrate and explore the diversity and range of these types of institutions and locations.

Each case study is based on desk research and interviews with institutional leadership, supplemented by perspectives from student union representatives and local stakeholders such as business actors or regional development organisations.