7. Integrated border region
The 2022–2025 Integrated Border Region project
The project ended 30 June 2025.
- Eliminating border barriers that hinder or complicate cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises. Through identifying and removing border obstacles, improving business opportunities and strengthening collaboration between authorities, the project has sought to create better conditions for the border region’s businesses, public entities and residents.
- Ensuring the border region’s residents can remain confident that the border will stay open, even in the event of a new pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the Norway–Sweden border region, with border closures and unclear regulations creating difficulties for commuters, businesses and society at large. The project has therefore sought to learn from the pandemic and ensure smoother border management should future crises strike.
Removing border barriers for businesses
One of the project’s key goals is to facilitate cross-border business operations. In this respect, the Business in Sweden and Business in Norway seminars have seen over 60 Norwegian and 70 Swedish companies receive guidance on conducting business in the neighbouring country. More specifically, companies have been given advice on customs regulations, taxation, business support programmes and differences in business culture.
A clear innovation gap arises when national systems hinder practical cross-border cooperation. Public support programs are often limited to companies within their own country, which means that, for example, Norwegian companies cannot use Swedish testbeds and vice versa. In order to enhance innovation capacity, the project has worked on testbeds for businesses, exploring how regulatory differences between Sweden and Norway can hinder collaboration. As part of this, an expert study has mapped the potential obstacles, proposing solutions aimed at opening up cross-border innovation opportunities.
Improving border traffic flow and customs handling
Lengthy queues of trucks at the Sweden’s Svinesund customs checkpoint have caused significant delays over the past few years. The issue stems from inefficient customs handling and the requirement that empty trucks pass through customs clearance. Through a working group bringing together industry organisations and government agencies, the project has successfully implemented a number of remedial measures:
- The lifting of an overtaking ban on the Svinesund Bridge has improved traffic flow.
- The Swedish Customs Authority has increased the number of clearance booths from six to ten in order to speed up freight handling.
- A new customs administration training programme is being launched in Strömstad, ensuring a skilled workforce for future needs.
Harmonising building regulations
Differences in building regulations between Sweden and Norway poses challenges for companies looking to invest and operate across the border. As such, the project has pushed for a more unified Nordic construction market. As part of this, a workshop was organised in Oslo where construction firms, policymakers and experts discussed how regulations could be harmonised.
In an effort to raise the issue’s political profile, the project also hosted an Almedalen Week seminar entitled, ‘Is a Common Nordic Construction Market Possible?’, which saw Swedish and Norwegian experts and decision-makers discuss the benefits of regulatory harmonisation. In particular, the potential for a larger, more unified market, increased competitiveness and reduced construction costs was highlighted. The initiative has gained significant attention, prompting 12 published articles in the Swedish, Norwegian and Danish media, as well as public acknowledgement from the European Commission’s DG REGIO. All this strengthens the prospects for future regulatory changes.
The Reform Agenda
A key component of the project is the Reform Agenda, a political platform designed to influence national decisions affecting the border region. The Agenda has been presented on multiple occasions, receiving support from several cross-border committees along the Swedish–Norwegian border. It is now being used as a tool to push for change in cross-border cooperation.
Lessons from the pandemic and strengthened preparedness
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how quickly a crisis can impact the border region. To help prevent similar disruption in future, the project has compiled The Pandemic Closed the Border: What Do We Do Next?
Other key initiatives related to crisis preparedness include:
- A seminar on civil defence and crisis management, involving defence ministries and emergency agencies.
- Study trips for fire chiefs, security officials and policymakers to strengthen crisis cooperation.
- A network of Swedish and Norwegian municipalities to facilitate swift coordination in the event of future pandemics or other border-related crises.
Key takeaways and future opportunities
Above all, the project demonstrates that cross-border cooperation requires both political commitment and practical solutions. Through bringing together stakeholders from businesses, government agencies and politics, Integrated Border Region has been able to develop models that can inspire other Nordic regions. The insights gathered in this project provide a solid foundation for strengthening cooperation and ensuring the border functions effectively regardless of the challenges faced.
