Internationalisation of regional development policies – Needs and demands in the Nordic countries. All eight Nordic countries and self-governing areas have recently discussed or are currently discussing their administrative structures, i.e. how many municipalities or regions there should be and what responsibilities they should have. Denmark has already implemented a reform, Finland has begun to do so and, Greenland will soon follow. The experience has however been rather less successful in Norway and Sweden where many years of study and discussion now seem to have been more or less wasted.This report describes the processes and the discourse of administrative reform with a particular focus on the arguments used and the values that lie behind these arguments. The discourses are mainly concerned with four types of arguments relating to democracy, efficiency, regional development and the reform process itself. The arguments used, it is argued here, are mainly prophesies about the future. This forward-looking political logic is rather different from the work undertaken by research-based inquiries where future direction is sought in past experiences. The current report is part of Nordregio's research programme, Internationalisation of regional development policies – needs and demands in the Nordic countries. The analysis of events and developments has been updated to June 2008.

Muligheter och begrensninger.

What happens to Nordic mobility in a world of pandemic, lockdown, isolation, home offices and social distancing? Has the pandemic led us closer to a greener future, seeing that behavioural patterns may change almost overnight and automatically reducing our carbon footprints? Do Nordic businesses see new opportunities on the post-pandemic horizon, and what can be said about the role of Nordic cooperation in times of recovery and change?

Changing frameworks such as the current pandemic, but also the climate crisis and technological advancements are creating both a great need and new possibilities for innovation. For these reasons, Nordic Innovation developed the Nordic Smart Mobility and Connectivity program that aims to help develop a more sustainable, integrated and connected transport system Nordic region while generating opportunities for Nordic businesses.

We can now see that despite the sudden lockdowns, goods are still being transported across the globe and even the odd traveller, the infrastructure, is still in place and operating. The current pandemic has made us realize that without our mobility systems we would be much worse off. We also know that the pandemic is not here to stay, and that there are huge efforts being made across the Nordic countries to make something good and positive come out of the crisis.

To showcase these efforts and to highlight the possibilities that collaboration across Nordic countries can bring, nine Nordic mobility projects co-financed by Nordic Innovation share their thoughts on the near future and their relevance in the post-pandemic era.

This report presents the third evaluation of the Nordic Swan ecolabelling scheme. The evaluation is conducted from the perspective of the public administration, and it examines the role of the Nordic Swan in a policy context. Recommendations are presented for authorities in the Nordic countries and for the bodies operating the schemes on a Nordic and national level. The evaluation focuses on current opportunities and challenges in the operating environment of the scheme. It examines the relations between the Nordic Swan and the EU Eco-label in the Nordic countries, including their governance procedures, popularity and reception in the market. Other current topics addressed include the progress achieved by the Nordic marketing strategy for the Swan and some current governance issues in the scheme, including the grounds for public funding for the Nordic Swan. The report also analyses the relations between the Swan and other environmental information systems. In particular, the report investigates the opportunities and challenges ensuing from the current attention to climate issues for the Nordic Swan.

Nordiska goda exempel på stöd till studenter med funktionsnedsättning under utbildningen och under övergången från utbildning till arbete.

Artikel 24 i FN:s konvention om rättigheter för personer med funktionsnedsättning, som alla nordiska länder harundertecknat, betonar rätten till utbildning på lika villkor. Den nationella funktionshinderpolitiken i de nordiska länderna betonar betydelsen av att personer med funktionsnedsättning ska få stöd under utbildningsperioden och i samband med övergången från utbildning till arbete.

Ett syfte med detta häfte är att ge inspiration och idéer till universitet och högskolor i Norden för att underlätta för studenter med funktionsnedsättning att delta i och genomföra en högre utbildning. Ett annat syfte är att uppmärksamma övergången från utbildning till arbete.

The report is from a project on the identification and assessment of minimum requirements for exposure scenarios (ESs) as required in Article 14-3 of Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 on REACH. A list of minimum requirements is proposed in the report. The list of minimum requirements together with two practical ES examples was used as a basis for a survey sent to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and others. Responses from 70 companies were received, approximately half of which were identified as SMEs. The survey responses show that ESs vary to a great extent, and that harmonisation/standardisation of ESs is desired. The responses also show that there is a significant need for increased understanding and knowledge on ESs, particularly among SMEs. Recommendations are made on harmonisation of legal requirements for ES content, with some concrete recommendations for compilers of ESs, downstream users, industry/industry organisations and national enforcement authorities.

Hvordan påvirket pandemien livskvaliteten til barn og unge i Norden? Det var temaet for konferansen “Blir alt bra? Pandemiens konsekvenser for barn og unge i Norden” som fant sted i Oslo 10. november 2022. Konferansen ble arrangert av Norges forskningsråd og NordForsk, med støtte fra Kunnskapsdepartementet, og var en del av programmet for Norges formannskap i Nordisk ministerråd.

Like domestic owned multinational companies, foreign owned multinational companies represent equally positive opportunities for Nordic trade and industry, both in terms of innovative capabilities and value creation. There are no apparent reasons for leading a different policy towards companies with foreign ownership. The governments in the Nordic countries should encourage initiatives that attract this type of companies. Foreign owned multinationals take part in international networks that might benefit other firms in the national innovation system.

Where is the concrete architecture heading? And in which way should the technology be developed in order to bring the concrete architecture up front? These and other questions have been asked and answered in this Nordic report. The project's main goal was to promote continued innovation in the Nordic concrete architecture.

The aim of this project is to study the relationship between the municipal institution and recent innovations in the Nordic periphery. The reasons for undertaking such a study are fairly obvious: nowadays, it has become the norm to highlight a region's innovative capacities as a crucial element in strategies for its development. In the Nordic periphery, local government has acquired a strong position in society, so there is a definite interest in studying the relation between innovative processes and the operation of the municipal institution. A total of 21 Nordic municipalities have been studied in this project. In many respects, the area covered by the municipalities in this study may be characterized as part of the extreme periphery of Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, respectively.

The COVID-19 pandemic has in many ways challenged the health and well-being of people, and more widely, the welfare systems in the Nordic countries. Due to regulations and lockdowns, many people have experienced social isolation, and certain vulnerable groups – such as older adults and those with disabilities – have been hit especially hard. As loneliness has implications for people’s long-term mental and physical health, the consequences of the pandemic are significant for health and social care as a whole.

This literature review describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on loneliness and social isolation among younger and older adults living in the Nordic countries, with and without disabilities, and in different situations.

Aim: To explore experiences with professional services among parents of disabled children in contact with Childrens Habilitation Department in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway.

Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey among parents, who’s children received services from the Childrens Habilitation Department during one year, was done. MPOC-20 NO, a questionnaire developed for this target group and translated into norwegian, was used. It consists of five factors: enabling/partnership, general information, spesific information, co-ordinated/comprehensive care and respectful/supportive care. Each factor consists of 3 – 5 questions.

Results: The respons rate was 54,5%, parents of children with severe disabilities were overrepresented. Thus the results should be interpreted with care. The mean score on general information was lower than on other factors. The mean scores in Nord-Trøndelag was generally lower than in Canada, but about the same as results from Uppsala, Sweden.

Parents of children under 6 years had better experiences than parents with older children. Parents with children with minor disabilities were more satisfied than others. Parents under 36 years and mothers had better experiences than older parents and fathers. Parents living together with their child less than 11 days/month were less satisfied than others. Having a key worker and/or an individual service plan made a positive difference on information factors, but not on the other factors.

Conclusion: The answers showed that certain areas and qualities of the departments service should be better developed and some groups of parents should get a service delivery more fitted to their needs. Other methods should be considered to recruite parents and collect anwers to ensure a higher response rate.

Endringer i klimaforhold og forsvarlig nivå for beskatning av naturressurser møtes av en sterk påpeking av sammenhengen mellom holdbar arbeidslivsutvikling og mulighetene for å møte de ytre bærekraftstruslene. Gjennom arbeidslivets sammensatte prosesser formes oppfatninger av legitimt eierskap, muligheter til gjennom samarbeid å realisere gruppers og enkeltmenneskers potensial og bidra til å løse fellesskapets utfordringer økonomisk, sosialt og miljømessig. Norden representerer en samfunnsmodell der arbeidslivet bidrar til en høy markedsmessig økonomisk effektivitet samtidig som det vedlikeholder og fornyer en stabil velferdsstat. Gjør den nordiske modellen oss bedre rustet til å møte holdbarhetsutfordringene? Denne gjennomgangen av nordisk arbeidslivspraksis viser at en allerede må forholde seg til tydelige tegn på likeartede holdbarhetsproblemer. Det paradoksale bildet er: Samtidig som vi aldri har hatt det så bra, har vi et økende utenforskap i arbeidslivet i form av sykefravær og frafall. Boken tematiserer hvordan handlingspress har utløst programmer, avtaler og (forsknings-)prosjekter som adresserer utfordringene både ad hoc og i et lengre perspektiv. Individuelle stemmer som bidrar med sine livserfaringer om hva holdbarhet representerer kommer også til orde. Boken tar ikke sikte på å gi svar på dagens utfordringer, men er en invitasjon til dialog mellom forskning, arbeidstaker/arbeidsgiver og myndigheter om de praktiske bærekraftsvalgene som arbeidslivet i Norden kan ta.

This TEMA-Nord report is a result of a one-year project with all of the Nordic countries participating. The primary goal of the project has been to collect, develop and mediate a series of good examples of how nature interpretation, aimed at children and young people, can encourage children's understanding of nature, and inspire them to involve themselves with questions on humans nature and thus help contribute to sustainable development. Several issues should be considered when planning nature interpretation activities if nature interpretation aims to lead to sustainable development. These points of view are concerned especially with how nature interpreters can encourage children and young people to take ownership, to be involved with their body and mind, and to reflect and put the experience and the activities in nature into a wider context.

The science systems in Russia and, even more so, the Baltic States have undergone radical change in the years following the break-up of the Soviet Union. Although this report does not aim to provide a thorough description of the Soviet science system1, it is nevertheless useful to give a very brief outline of the structures which Baltic and Russian policy-makers were confronting at the outset of systemic reforms in the early 1990s.

The Nordic Action Plan for Children and Young Adults in the Adjacent Areas was launched in 1999 in order to contribute to an improvement of the living conditions of young risk groups in the Baltic states and North-West Russia. More than 400 small and large projects have received funding from the programme since then. The present evaluation of the programme has been carried out by the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR). The evaluation team recommends a continuation of the programme founded on its achievements in focusing on risk groups, keeping a cross-sectoral approach, involving the policy level in the adjacent area countries, emphasising competence transfer and capacity building, and stimulating an interest in Nordic approaches and models in work with the risk groups. At the same time the evaluators suggest that in the future more emphasis should be put on a further institutionalisation of the programme, it should be used more actively to build partnerships in the region, more attention should be paid to the human resources in the projects, and dissemination activities should be given a more prominent place.

This survey conducted among participants in Nordic research network and research training course activities in the 1999-2005 period shows that 90% of the project participants continue collaborating after Nordic funding has ended.

One in five respondents have applied for EU funding as a direct result of the Nordic collaboration.

More than half the activities included partners from the Baltic countries, 28% involved partners from Russia.

Eight in ten would find it impossible to carry out their activity without the support fromNordForsk (or former NorFA).

Most respondents find the application procedures clear and easily accessible. NordForsk is not perceived to be overly bureaucratic, and most people are satisfied with their communication with the responsible NordForsk staff.

This report gives an overview of the technical and political work of the Nordic Council of Ministers since 1993 to create a Joint Implementation set-up that mitigates greenhouse gas emissions at least costs with mutual benefits for both the Nordic countries and the countries in the Baltic Sea Region.

NABO is a pan-Nordic project about the social inclusion of young persons in their respective societies. The project was launched under the Swedish presidency in the Nordic Council of Ministers 2018 and runs over the period 2018–2021. The project focuses on how youths talk about themselves and others in relation to five aspects of social inclusion – experiences of belonging, opportunities to influence, opportunities to participate, access to society’s resources and services and support from family and social networks. The Nabo-project have produced reports which shed light on how youth describe various aspects of social inclusion in all the Nordic countries and in Greenland, the Faroe Island and Åland. This is the comparison study of these eight reports.

De nordiske utdannings- og forskningsministre ønsker å fremme kreativitet, innovasjon og entreprenørskap i utdannelsene. Dette var bakgrunnen for at ministrene i april 2009 besluttet at Nordisk ministerråd skulle gjennomføre en nordisk komparativ studie av hvordan kreativitet, innovasjon og entreprenørskap er integrert i de nordiske utdanningssystemene. Som tilleggsoppdrag til denne studien, ble det i 2010 under det danske formannskapet i Nordisk ministerråd, tatt initiativ til ytterligere to studier om henholdsvis de praktisk musiske fag og de nordiske lands arbeid med talentutvikling og kreativitet i relasjon til naturvitenskap. Studiene er en del av Nordisk ministerråds globaliseringsprosjekt "En god opplæring til ungdom og voksne" som har som ett av fire delmål å fremme kreativitet, innovasjon og entreprenørskap i utdanningen. Studiene er gjennomført under ledelse av Universitet i Nordland, Norge, på oppdrag fra Nordisk ministerråd.

Aim: This study aimed to increase understanding the information needs of cancer patients before and during radiation therapy. We also explored how cancer patients adapt such information to their new life situations.

Method: Among 10 participants in our qualitative interview survey, eight individuals were interviewed before radiation therapy commenced, one was interviewed during treatment and one was interviewed following CT examination. We used grounded theory to analyse our data.Results: Our study identified one core category: small things matter. Other categories included information synergy (desire for information and manner of delivery), vulnerability (emotions and lack of knowledge), and coping skills (comprehension and security).

Conclusions: This study identified the importance of answering patients´ questions. Providing accurate information, minimizing vulnerability, and enhancing coping skills all play an important role in optimizing patient preparation for radiation therapy. However, the process of developing a variety of communication methods (e.g., improved patient dialogue, printed information, and video presentations) will increase demands on the healthcare system.

It is with great pleasure that this volume Opportunities for Media and Information Literacy in the Middle East and North Africa is presented as Yearbook 2016 from the International Clearinghouse on Children, Youth and Media, at Nordicom. The Yearbook is published in cooperation with UNESCO and UNAOC. Opportunities for Media and Information Literacy in the Middle East and North Africa is the seventeenth Yearbook published by the Clearinghouse and fills a gap in the existing body of literature about the progress of media and information literacy work in different parts of the world. We believe it is of particular interest to shed light on a region, the MENA region, where young citizens’ engagement with media has been in focus in news reporting all over the world in recent years and awareness of MIL competencies is gaining ground.

This playbook builds on the Nordic Circular Economy Playbook,and is tailored to companies in the Nordic manufacturing industries. It providesexamples onthe following five sub-sectors: (1) machinery & equipment, (2) maritime, (3) energy, (4) transportation, (5) construction.

•Companies need to transform and scale their business as a response to increased pressure from industry drivers, as well asunlocking new business opportunities in order to face climate changerelatedchallenges.

•Circular economy and circular business models are about turning inefficiencies in linear value chains into business value. This playbook identifies key circular business models for the industry sub-sectors as well as key ecosystem actors to enable transformation across the value chain.

•There are three stages a company typically needsto undergo on their transformation journey; explore & shape, attract & win, and scale and keep growing. This playbook focuseson the third stage and outlining the main challenges when scaling, which are related to people & culture, new collaborations, lack of transparency, and the sustainability organisation ownership.

•The playbook is also describing the key enablers to fully transform and become a circular business; (a) focus on making one part of the business fully circular before scaling,(b) integrate data & technology in the entire transformation journey, (c) invest in the people and the organisation, and (d) have a dedicated transformation team.

The proposed new chemicals policy of the European Community, REACH, is an important new development in environmental protection. Rather than waiting for government or independent researchers to determine that chemicals are hazardous, it will make manufacturers, importers, and professional users of chemicals responsible for the safe use. There is little doubt that REACH will give health and environmental benefits, but there has been little agreement about the resulting costs: -Will European manufacturers be crushed by the economic burden of chemicals regulation, as some industry sources have suggested? -Or, as projected in some public sector studies, will there be a minor cost impact, well within the ability of industry and worth the price? This report offers a new look at these costs. Frank Ackerman and Rachel Massey compare the current EC legislation on chemicals, the European Commission’s proposal and an alternative proposal addressing previous versions of REACH. The authors make a bottom-up calculation of the expected registration and testing costs under REACH and provide a new analysis of the indirect economic impacts. Ultimately they evaluate some prominent arguments about the costs of REACH and discuss the expected benefits. In the appendices there is the derivation of their economic impacts analysis and a critique of the best-known industry-oriented study.

The consortium has generated particles with a very narrow size distribution and with properties tailored to the application. The particles have a size of the order 3 to 5 micrometer in diameter. Particles have been characterized extensively with respect to mechanical and surface properties. In order to produce conducting spacers the particles have been coated with nickel and gold. The particles have been incorporated in small prototype LCD cells and these cells have been characterized with respect to performance. No significant distortion of the liquid crystal crystallization is observed in the vicinity of the particles and ion leakage tests showed no leakage.

Por primera vez se reúnen en un mismo documento las soluciones de política alimentaria más innovadoras de la región nórdica. Este Menú de Soluciones abarca nutrición, cultura e identidad alimentarias, comida y alimentación públicas, desperdicio de alimentos y dietas sostenibles. Incluye 24 ejemplos de políticas locales, nacionales y regionales diseñadas para suscitar nuevas conversaciones e inspirar nuevas políticas en otras partes del mundo. Cada una de las soluciones supone un paso tangible para abordar un problema específico; en su conjunto, representan un enfoque nuevo e integral a la política alimentaria. También dan testimonio de cómo las políticas blandas pueden traducirse en soluciones y desempeñar un importante papel en la consecución de objetivos ambiciosos a nivel nacional e internacional.

In this chapter, I propose that the concept of affective dissonance is theoretically helpful to account for young people’s sentiments of digital disconnection. This proposal is empirically substantiated through an analysis of qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 17 Norwegian youths, based on the following question: How do young people react to invasive connected media? The findings illustrate that affective reactions to digital impulses appear to be an integrated part of young people’s daily management of digital connectivity. Although these experiences may lead to negative experiences, they do not necessarily lead to disconnection practices. From young people’s perspectives, digital disconnection not only involves being physically separated from connectivity but also encapsulates attitudinal shifts and mental distancing. Based on these findings, this chapter posits that disconnection is also an affective state that does not necessarily transform into action or practice, but is as much about the potentiality to act. This chapter thus recognises digital disconnection as a process based on youths’ perspectives, acknowledging its affective facet, and contributing to a broader conceptualisation of disconnectivity beyond acts and practices.

The world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually and that number is estimated to rise to3.40 billion tonnes by 2050.Poor management of waste is not only causing the planet harm through the contamination of oceans, clogging drains and causing floods but it is also affecting daily health, productivity, and cleanliness ofcommunities.

Nordic solutions

The Nordic countries are aiming for a zero waste society where waste is avoided. Yet currently the Nordic countries are working within different levels of the EU waste hierarchy shown below.This booklet will showcase 3 different cases in Denmark, Sweden and Norway that cover waste-to-energy,auto recycling and biological waste management solutions.

Hvilke fællestræk har skandinaviske krimier? Hvorfor er de interessante både for et nordisk publikum og for et internationalt? Er der bestemte, typiske træk i deres samfundsforståelse, deres fremstilling af mandlige og kvindelige karakterer, i deres reception og funktion? Den skandinaviske krimi er bredt eksponeret via flere medier – som bog, på film, som tv-serie, som computerspil og på diverse hjemmesider på internettet. Tilstedeværelsen i det ene medie forstærker interessen i det andet. Nordiske krimier oversættes og eksporteres som aldrig før, og en hel turistindustri udfolder sig med krimier som omdrejningspunkt. Antologien stiller skarpt på karakterer, steder og genrer. På film- og tv-produktion. På tværmedialitet og oplevelsesøkonomi. Det sker ud fra konkrete eksempler - fra Henning Mankell og Stieg Larsson til Torpedo, Anna Pihl og Forbrydelsen.

The aim of the project presented in this report has been to compare the fisheries polices in Denmark, Iceland and Norway with respect to economic performance and degree of sustainability. This has been done by comparing the actual stock and harvest development in the three countries to the optimal stock and harvest development suggested by a dynamic optimization model developed in the project. Thus we have defined indicators for stock and harvest performance. Emphasis in this project compared to earlier has been put on uncertainty and especially on multi-species interaction and modelling. The result of the project is that although there are clear signs of both harvest and stock overexploitation in all three countries, there were also significant differences. In particular, some of the results from the single-species model were turned around when species interaction was taken into account.

This report explores the potential of Urban Agriculture (UA) to enhance food security, improve resource efficiency, and promote smart, resilient, and circular cities.

The discussion is framed within the scope of the Horizon 2020 project ‘Sino-European Innovative Green and Smart Cities’ (SiEUGreen) which explored different pathways to turn waste into resources for growing food in cities through the combination of different technologies. These technologies were tested in five showcases: Campus Ås, in Ås, Norway; World Gardens and Brabrand Fællesgartneriet community gardens in Aarhus, Denmark; Turunçlu greenhouse in Atakya, Turkey; Sanyuan Farm, in Beijing, and Futiancangjun residential area in Changsha, China. 

The insights and knowledge gained with these showcases were the basis to discuss the barriers and drivers of UA in the transition to more sustainable and resilient circular cities, across five aspects (1) environmental, (2) technological, (3) economic, (4) social and cultural and (5) regulatory and institutional issues. The results suggest that city food provision and UA systems can be designed considering circular economy regenerative cycles, but it is important to promote local research that can highlight policy solutions to address context-related barriers and limitations.

Among the main lessons learned across the different aspects, we highlight:

• The need for more evidence-based research, clear monitoring tools and evaluation/assessment of the different UA typologies and their impact on the environment, society and economy;
• The implementation of innovative technological developments that support and promote UA for reduce; reuse, recycle/recover resources require more experimentation, large-scale tests and validation both concerning their efficiency, positive environmental impacts, as well as economic viability;
• The need for high investments, difficulties accessing financial support, underdeveloped business case for circular resource models, and limited recognition of the positive and indirect economic, environmental benefits of UA are among the main barriers that limit the uptake of agriculture in cities;
• Despite the significant role UA can play in advancing a circular economy (e.g., by supporting sustainable local food systems, promoting community resilience and reducing waste), behaviour and cultural barriers were found to have a deep impact when fostering a closed-loop approach to UA, especially concerning overcoming prejudice against waste as a resource,
• Local governance and public policy play a central role in framing and supporting UA (e.g., incentives, funding, regulatory frameworks) as a pathway that enables close loops in cities.

This report is the outcome of the project Urban Agriculture for a Resilient Future (FutureUA) financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers and implemented in 2023. In this final report, we discuss the future of urban agriculture across different themes, namely (1) cultivating change in connection with innovation and legislation, (2) cultivating community in connection with culture, and (3) cultivating knowledge in connection with education and science.  

While the first theme reflects the potential of agriculture to occupy more space in cities and to be perceived as a desirable urban function through innovation and legislative support, the second theme focuses on the known benefits of urban agriculture for building community and fostering social inclusion. The third theme reflects the momentum urban agriculture is gaining in institutional education through the implementation of programmes that respond to the growing demand for systematic knowledge of urban agriculture at different qualification levels.  

This report is primarily a presentation of seven urban agriculture initiatives that tell stories about how different actors have engaged with or support the practice of growing food in cities. The description of the cases was based on webinar discussions, interviews with the main stakeholders of each case, and study visits. These cases provide the context to show how different actors can engage in urban agriculture and food systems, as well as to discuss their challenges and opportunities and to draw lessons from their practices.   

The report targets a broad and heterogeneous audience, including planners, entrepreneurs, academics, and the general public, who are interested and believe in the potential of urban agriculture to tackle many of the challenges we face today, such as the climate crises. After reading this report, the reader is expected to gain: 

• A glimpse of the literature on the benefits and drawbacks of growing food in cities. 
• An understanding of urban agriculture from different perspectives (e.g., municipalities, entrepreneurs, communities, educational institutions). 
• An overview of opportunities and challenges for implementing agriculture in cities.  
• Inspiration for alternative urban futures as the stories told in this report carry seeds for change that can assist transitioning our cities to more functional ecosystems. 

Rapid urbanisation is one of today’s biggest global challenges. Nordic Sustainable Cities is a flagship project under the Nordic Prime Ministers’ initiative Nordic Solutions to Global Challenges that seeks to shed light on this challenge from a Nordic perspective.

The White Paper on Nordic Sustainable Cities develops a narrative to describe the “Nordic Sustainable City”. It forms a basis for the knowledge sharing effort that will be carried out by Nordic Innovation, Nordregio’s sister institution under the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2018. This work aims to export Nordic stories as a means of branding the Nordic Region and contributing to global efforts towards urban sustainability.

This handbook is the culmination of the NORDGREEN project, which develops and implements smart planning and management solutions for well-designed, high-quality green spaces that promote health and well-being. Researchers and practitioners worked alongside one another in six Nordic cities: Aarhus (Denmark), Espoo and Ii (Finland), Stavanger (Norway), and Täby and Vilhelmina (Sweden). Together, the researchers and practitioners applied methods including GIS data analysis, statistical analysis, PPGIS surveys and analysis, policy document analysis, interviews, and evidence-based design models.

The handbook uses an innovative framework based on the multi-disciplinary approach of the project, using epidemiological studies, environmental psychology, policy and management, and citizen participation. These fields of study and their respective methodologies are divided into the four so-called NORD components—NUMBERING, OBSERVING, REGULATING, and DESIGNING—which, accompanied by a BACKGROUND section reviewing the evidence linking green space and human health, form the bulk of the handbook.

Some key take-away messages from these chapters include:

• There is a fairly broad consensus that access to, and use of, natural and green areas have a positive influence on people’s health and well-being.
• Both perceived and objective indicators for access to green space and for health are needed for making a more comprehensive evaluation for how people’s health is influenced by green space.
• Citizens’ experiential, local knowledge is a vital component of urban planning, and PPGIS can offer practitioners the opportunity to gather map-based experiential knowledge to provide insights for planning, designing, and managing green spaces.
• Alignment, both vertically across the political, tactical, and operational levels, as well as horizontally across departments, is critical for municipal organisations to foster health-promoting green spaces.
• Evidence-based design models can provide important categories and qualities for diagnosing the gaps in existing green spaces and designing green spaces with different scales and scopes that respond to the various health and well-being needs of different people.

Based on the research and lessons learned from the six case study cities, the handbook provides practitioners with a TOOLBOX of adaptable methods, models, and guidelines for delivering health-promoting green spaces to consider in their own contexts. By reading this handbook, planners and policymakers can expect to gain (1) a background on the evidence linking green spaces and health, practical tools for planning, designing, and managing green spaces, (2) tips from researchers regarding the challenges of using various methods, models, and guidelines for delivering health-promoting green space, and (3) inspiration on some success stories emerging from the Nordic Region in this area of study. The handbook covers a wide range of health and urban green space topics. Landscape architects will find evidence-based design models for enhancing existing green space design processes. Planners will find methods and guidelines for identifying, collecting, and analysing both qualitative and quantitative green space and health data from statistical databases, national citizen surveys, and map-based participatory surveys. And all practitioners will find guidelines for achieving programmatic alignment in their work for delivering health-promoting green space.

This study aimed to describe the quality of the intimate relationship among parents six months after the birth of their first child. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) has been modified and used on 820 responding first-time parents, of which 768 were couples. The results reveal that most parents were happy in their relationship, but both mothers and fathers were discontented with the dyadic sexuality. "Being too tired for sexual activity" was a problem, especially for the mothers, and the most common frequency of intercourse was once or twice per month. The result does not support the assumption that the couples compensate the lacking sexuality with sensuality. Good communication within the couple was associated with higher levels of several dimensions of the intimate relationship, especially dyadic consensus and satisfaction. Thus, one way to stabilize and strengthen a relationship when dyadic sexual activity is low would be to emphasize dyadic communication and sexual activity.

The purpose of this research was to psychometrically evaluate the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), modified for use with new, first-time parents by extending the items of communication, sensuality, and sexuality. A total of 820 Swedish respondents, 6 months after the birth of their first child, participated in the study. Psychometric evaluation was conducted with factor analysis. The obtained factor structure was tested with multitrait analysis program. Thirty-three items were found to fit into a five-factor solution, explaining 50% of the total variance. Descriptive data revealed that most new parents were satisfied with their intimate relationship in general, but dissatisfied with their sexual lives. The modified DAS, now called the Quality of Dyadic Relationship Instrument includes 33 items and seems to be a useful, updated measurement for assessing quality of the intimate relationship in new first-time parents.

The baby was the focus of attention - first-time parents' experience of their intimate relationship. The purpose of this study was to describe the phenomenon of 'first-time parents' intimate relationship', to focus on their mental health, and the ability to support them professionally. Ten Swedish parents (five couples) were interviewed on two occasions, when the first baby was 6 and 18 months old, respectively. A descriptive phenomenological method was used. The findings show that the essence of the phenomenon is 'The baby was the focus of attention'. This had different meanings for the couples, putting them in two categories. For the first category, the essence was that the baby was the focus of mutual concern, which implied a fostered relationship. The strain of parenthood in this category was mild. In the second category, the baby was focused on at the expense of the father, who felt rejected emotionally. This impaired the relationship and parenthood involved a severe strain. The way the spouses communicated differed between the two categories. This study shows that mental health can be affected, especially among first-time fathers, and this could jeopardize the relationship and family health. An awareness of this fact is needed among the health professionals giving care to first-time parents.

The aim of this study was to describe and analyze first-time parents' experiences of factors that affect the quality of their intimate relationship and the way they cope with their situation six months after delivery. The method used was inductive qualitative content analysis of two open questions in a larger questionnaire. The data is based on 535 respondents' statements. The factors affecting the quality of the intimate relationship were available or missing and could be classified into four categories. 1. 'Coping by adjustment to parental role', e.g., mutual support as new parents, 2. 'The couple's 'intimacy', i.e., togetherness and love, 3. 'Coping by communication', i.e., verbal and non-verbal mutual confirmation, and 4. 'Coping with external conditions', e.g., by seeking social support. The results are described in a model, which could constitute a basis for the promotion of health in family health care, with the aim, if possible, of preventing unnecessary separations/divorces after couples become parents.

Describes the phenomenon termed, "First-time parents' sexual relationship". The qualitative descriptive phenomenological method was applied for the material from the interviews. Ten couples (aged 24–42 yrs) were interviewed separately and undisturbed on a single occasion, when the first baby was nine-months-old. The results indicated that the essence of the phenomenon described in this study pertained to sexual desire. The significance of the concept differed among parents. Some couples lacked the time and energy for each other due to the presence of the baby but compensated for their desires with reciprocal tenderness alternating with that shown to the baby. Some couples assigned time actively for each other which enabled them to enjoy their sexual desire. One couple was forced to control their sexual desires due to severe mucus infection. However, this couple compensated with caressing and thereby confirmed each other emotionally and sexually. Certain mothers longed for desire or emotional confirmation. These couples lacked the ability to assign time and show interest reciprocally, as well as an ineffective communication. Their relationships were characterized by misunderstandings and unarticulated demands.

The aim of the Nordic ICT Foresight project was to contribute to the strategic intelligence of the Nordic knowledge region so that the full potential of information and communication technology can be exploited to increase the welfare in the Nordic countries. The focal areas of the ICT applications in this study were experience economy, health, production economy and security.

Stadens grönområden har stor betydelse för människors hälsa och välbefinnande. De utgör också en viktig förutsättning för att skapa en robust och hälsofrämjande byggd miljö i ett förändrat klimat. I de nordiska länderna finns en mångfald av verktyg som kan användas för att stärka urbana ekosystemtjänster och biologisk mångfald i samhällsbyggnadsprocessen. I denna verktygslåda finner du nio av dessa verktyg. Här finns vägledningar, handböcker, guider och metoder som till exempel grönytefaktor, planering av grönstruktur, restaurering av natur, zonering och lokalt omhändertagande av dagvatten. Varje verktyg presenteras med syfte, målgrupp, resultat, vilka kompetenser som behövs för att kunna tillämpa det och i vilken skala det kan användas. Syftet med denna publikation är att främja planering, byggande och förvaltning av grönblåa strukturer och ekosystemtjänster i de nordiska länderna. 

The environmental impacts of several scenarios for wood waste’s treatment were studied via life cycle assessment (LCA). The scenarios were modelled via both attributional and consequential approaches to LCA. The ALCA results indicate that producing insulation from wood waste appears to be a good alternative to incineration, whereas incineration outperforms the production of all the other recycled products studied (particle board, composite, bioethanol, biochar, and textile fibre). When the substituting products and marginal energy are considered in the CLCA, other recycled products too seem to show good environmental performance relative to incineration. Textile fibre from wood waste is a solid alternative to producing viscose and cotton, and if marginal energy with even smaller environmental impacts than biomass were used, other products could well become compelling alternatives.

NOAK and NEFCO organised a side event on NAMAs and MRV requirements during the UN climate conference at COP18 in Doha, Qatar on 3.12.2012. There are different opinions on what the minimum requirements on MRV systems for NAMAs should be and what the role of the UNFCCC would be in this regard. Issues have also been raised on whether there should be a differentiation in the MRV system between the different types of NAMAs. The aim of the side event was to explore practical experience on the issue, both from on-going initiatives and from the donors. This report first presents briefly the key concepts NAMA and MRV, then discusses each presentation and finally draws a summary on the observations and lessons emerging from the side event.

The Nordic Dialogue on Voluntary Compensation aims to inform Nordic and international stakeholders on using voluntary compensation of greenhouse gas emissions as part of their broader efforts towards and beyond carbon neutrality. Specifically, the Dialogue’s goal is to promote the high integrity, transparency and harmonisation of voluntary compensation, and alignment with the principles and long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This brochure provides an overview of the goals and activities under the Nordic Dialogue on Voluntary Compensation.

Many Nordic non-state actors are taking voluntary action to contribute to global efforts to combat climate change, within and beyond their boundaries and value chains. Buying carbon credits from the voluntary carbon markets is one way to support climate change mitigation beyond the value chain. This report summarises key insights from a a series of Nordic capacity building events on best practices for the voluntary carbon market, in line with the results and recommendations of the Nordic Dialogue on Voluntary Compensation. It provides an overview of the latest international and national developments in the field and key issues discussed in the events.

An increasing number of non-state actors are taking steps towards and beyond carbon neutrality and making claims about their contribution to global climate action. The voluntary use of carbon credits is one way to support more, earlier and faster climate action than what would be possible with own emission reductions alone, if high environmental and social integrity is ensured. The Nordic Dialogue on Voluntary Compensation brought together Nordic stakeholders to co-create guidance for the robust voluntary use of carbon credits in line with the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Agenda. This report summarises Nordic perspectives on best practice for the voluntary use of carbon credits and related claims, and recommendations for further Nordic cooperation in this field.

An increasing number of non-state actors are taking steps towards and beyond carbon neutrality and making claims about their climate impact and contribution to mitigation, so as to contribute to the Paris Agreement’s long-term goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Voluntary compensation of greenhouse gas emissions enables actors to take responsibility for their remaining emissions by supporting additional mitigation outcomes that occur outside the actors’ boundaries. This report maps key international guidance and initiatives relevant to voluntary compensation. It aims to foster a common knowledge base on high-integrity use of voluntary compensation as part of actors’ broader mitigation efforts towards and beyond carbon neutrality. It was prepared under the Nordic Dialogue on Voluntary Compensation.

Sustainable Consumption is a focus theme in the Environmental Action Plan 2009-2012 of the Nordic Council of Ministers. As stressed in the Plan, the Nordic countries form a joint market with the same product range and similar patterns of consumption. Hence, the countries can together contribute to developing environmentally adapted production meth-ods and stimulating the interaction between environmentally conscious consumptionand an environment oriented product range. This report presents 22 different projects, realized recently in the Nordic countries, that have promoted sustainable life styles.