Norrbotten’s Fourth RFLL: A Moment for Policy Recommendations

In Norrbotten’s fourth and final Regional Futures Literacy Lab (RFLL), participants explored the region’s most supported and contested policy ideas concerning healthcare, public transport and local food production, shaped in earlier workshops and tested through the Pol.is platform.

Building on these findings, participants, ranging from rural networks to policymakers, worked together to turn public sentiment into actionable policy recommendations. Their discussions revealed both the optimism and the obstacles facing rural development, particularly in the era of Norrbotten’s green industrial transition. Dig into the specifics below!

Healthcare

Norrbotten’s vast distances, sparse population, and ageing demographics make healthcare delivery a constant balancing act. While some health centres have expanded successfully, others still leave communities underserved. District nurses are vital in bridging care gaps, yet workforce shortages remain. Digital health tools help but aren’t accessible to all, and mobile units show promise in reaching remote patients. Better communication, local service points, and community involvement could make care more visible and relevant.

To address these issues, RFLL participants proposed policies linking healthcare, housing, and infrastructure within the region’s green industrial transition. Key recommendations include:

• A national strategy recognising Norrbotten’s role in the green transition.

• Stronger collaboration across municipal, regional, and national levels.

• Healthcare as green infrastructure, addressing workforce mobility and access.

• Sustainable housing for incoming workers and entrepreneurs.

• Industry agreements to invest in local welfare and services.

• Tailored local solutions for diverse municipal needs.

• Learning from other remote regions to adapt best practice.

• A positive regional narrative to attract residents and investment.

• Increased state co-financing for critical projects.

Public transport

Public transport in Norrbotten has barely evolved since the 1960s, struggling to serve a vast, sparsely populated region with limited tax revenues. Infrequent timetables, often designed for schoolchildren, scarce evening services, cultural attachment to cars, winter delays, and the need to drive to reach a bus stop all limit usage. Buses often run half empty, while investment in electric fleets is hampered by high costs and infrastructure gaps.

Yet participants agreed it’s essential - for those without cars, for tourism, for attracting new residents, and for enabling work-life balance. Key recommendations included:

• Increase frequency and coverage, especially early mornings, late evenings, and weekends, using school buses outside school hours.

• Secure greater national funding to sustain and expand services.

• Trial affordable annual passes to encourage regular use.

• Integrate ticketing across buses and trains for seamless travel.

• Offer incentives such as discounts and event-linked promotions.

• Embed sustainability, prioritising renewable energy for fleets.

• Strengthen regional–municipal collaboration on planning and funding.

• Plan long-term, adapting to community needs and feedback.

• Expand rural–urban routes to improve access to jobs, services, and leisure.

Local food production & rural development

Food security is a critical issue amid geopolitical risks and fragile supply chains. Local food production in Norrbotten struggles with high costs, low subsidies, and competition from cheap imports, causing many small farms to close despite the region’s potential to meet 70% of its food needs. Public procurement favours large suppliers, limiting small producers’ access to institutions. Youth leave farming due to lack of support, and northern Sweden feels politically marginalised, with decisions focused in the south despite the north’s resource wealth.

To tackle these challenges and strengthen the region’s food system, the following policy recommendations were proposed:

• Increase subsidies for small- and medium-scale farmers to make local production viable, focusing on vegetables, dairy, meat, and pulses.

• Promote agricultural cooperatives and regional supply hubs to pool resources and improve economic sustainability.

• Prioritise rural land use and reinvestment, ensuring profits from mining and energy industries support local agriculture and development.

• Recognise food production as a national security issue, integrating it into emergency preparedness plans.

• Invest in local food processing infrastructure to add value locally and reduce reliance on southern Sweden.

• Introduce fair pricing mechanisms such as tax incentives or import tariffs to level the playing field with imports.

• Reform public procurement to enable smaller producers to sell to public institutions like schools and hospitals.

• Market local food and rural living to attract families, youth, and newcomers.

• Support youth engagement in agriculture through training, access to land, and mentorship linked with education.

• Encourage small-scale innovation and urban farming projects in communities.

• Create geographically based political representation to better reflect rural and northern needs in national decision-making.

Additional insights from policymakers and civil servants

Policy-makers warn of growing “hope fatigue” from unmet promises, risking trust in democracy. They urge turning local knowledge into real action and boosting civil society mobilisation, especially during elections. This all prompts policy action to take place across multiple levels:

EU level

• Increase flexibility of funds like the Cohesion Fund and Green Deal to support community-led, small-scale rural projects (e.g., rural housing, multi-use service hubs).

• Engage actively in European rural networks and Horizon projects to influence future funding priorities.

National level (Sweden)

• Reform lending regulations that currently disadvantage rural areas.

• Introduce mandatory rural impact assessments for major policies.

• Use platforms like SALAR and national inquiries to advocate for these reforms.

Regional level (Norrbotten)

• Implement more localised traffic and service planning tailored to actual community needs.

• Coordinate housing, transport, and care services for better rural support.

• Leverage the regional transport service plan to 2030 as a strategic opportunity.

Municipal level:

• Develop flexible housing options, including rentals and interim solutions.

• Create integrated service hubs combining schools, healthcare, and elderly care.

• Engage residents early in planning processes.

• Foster cross-municipal collaboration and participatory planning tied to local development strategies.

Civil society, academia, and networks:

• Empower civil society to mobilise with evidence-based advocacy.

• Utilize resources like the DUST MOOC and joint strategic papers to build shared narratives and influence policymaking across all levels.

Participants left the RFLL with a clear sense of shared commitment and purpose. For instance, the DUST team will soon circulate a summary report and weave key insights into upcoming training modules, keeping the momentum alive. Local community leaders will continue capturing real stories and innovations from the ground, helping rural voices shape policy conversations. Continue following our social media for more updates!