Policy areas

Similar legislation and interpretations of the law will play an important role in achieving the prime ministers’ objective of becoming the world's most integrated region.

A good working life has always played a crucial role in the evolution of the welfare state, in business growth and in the personal development of the people of the Nordic Region.

The aim of the digitisation partnership is to strengthen the Nordic and Baltic countries as a coherent and integrated digital region. Joint efforts to promote the green digital transformation will benefit citizens, businesses and public administrations right across the region.

Nordic co-operation on disability contributes to the inclusion of people with disabilities by way of the enhanced sharing of knowledge throughout the region and close co-operation with regard to disability policy issues.

Food is a central part of our wellbeing, life, and culture; but the food we consume can also have a negative impact on our health and the health of our planet. Transitioning our food systems is a necessity for achieving the goals set out in the Nordic vision and Agenda 2030.

The Nordic Region is seen as a role model with regard to the environment and climate. An important reason for this is the region’s long tradition of political co-operation. The challenges we face are growing in size and number, which makes co-operation even more important going forwards.

The Nordic countries agree that the whole Region has to work together towards sustainable development. Achieving sustainable development is an ambitious but necessary goal.

The Nordic Council of Ministers’ strategy states that “the Nordic Region must be the best place in the world for children and young people”.

All the Nordic countries have ambitious national targets for switching to sustainable energy and are pioneers of green energy solutions in a global context. Nordic co-operation aims to support these national targets so that the Nordic Region can maintain its world-leading position.

Nordic cultural co-operation forms a strong overall unit in which art and culture make up the cornerstone of the community spirit that binds the Nordic countries together. This cultural cooperation greatly influences the world around it and reflects the foundation of our common Nordic values.

One of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ political priorities is to ensure that people of all ages have access to the highest quality education and research community possible throughout the Region .

Gender equality is a cornerstone of the modern Nordic welfare societies, and Nordic co-operation on gender equality has been a precondition of the successful Nordic labour market model.

Mutual understanding of each other’s languages promotes mobility between the Nordic countries and enhances the sense of affinity between the peoples of the Region.

The aim of Nordic co-operation on health and welfare is to ensure social security and social rights for everyone living in the Nordic Region. We work to prevent social inequality and avoid the marginalisation of socially vulnerable individuals and groups.

Promoting freedom of movement is about creating a more open Nordic Region, where it is possible to relocate, commute, study and run a business across national borders without getting bogged down in grey areas or caught up in ambiguous red tape. An open Nordic Region benefits us all.

The Nordic programme is designed to underpin the work done at national level, encourage the countries to work more closely together on the integration of refugees and immigrants, share experiences and generate new knowledge.

The Nordic bioeconomy is about a green transition. It is about the replacement of unsustainable and fossil-based resources, through the upgrading of side streams and waste, and by creating circular and sustainable local solutions.