{"id":21976,"date":"2024-12-13T14:11:18","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T11:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kvarken.org\/?p=21976"},"modified":"2024-12-13T15:17:58","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T12:17:58","slug":"letter-from-our-director-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kvarken.org\/en\/letter-from-our-director-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Letter from our Director: Kvarken Council EGTC \u2013 A Model for Nordic Cooperation"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Kvarken Council EGTC <\/strong>(European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation<\/em>) is a unique and groundbreaking organization that plays a crucial role in promoting Nordic cooperation and cross-border regional development. Through its innovative Board composition and by delivering tangible projects, the Kvarken Council EGTC has become a model for how regions can collaborate across national borders to foster sustainable development and strengthen regional ties.<\/p>\n

Unique Board Composition<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the many aspects that make the Kvarken Council EGTC particularly unique is its Board composition; the Board consists of representatives from both Finland and Sweden, ensuring that decisions and strategies reflect the interests and needs of both sides of the Kvarken. The Kvarken Council\u2019s members have decided to prioritize cooperation, and the Board is a distinguished assembly of 21\u00a0members, including active politicians and officials from both sides of the Kvarken \u2013 all with significant influence within their respective organizations. This cross-border representation is not merely symbolic but also practical, enabling a more integrated and coordinated development of the region and ensuring an efficient process from idea to concrete cooperative measures.<\/p>\n

Tangible Cooperation Projects and Initiatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Kvarken Council EGTC is engaged in a range of concrete projects that are of great importance for the region\u2019s development. One of the most prominent and visible projects is, of course, the development of a new ferry line between Vaasa in Finland and Ume\u00e5 in Sweden. This ferry, jointly owned and operated by the two cities in two different countries, is an example of how long-term and well-structured Nordic cooperation can lead to practical solutions that benefit both countries, regions, and local businesses.<\/p>\n

Another significant initiative is the regional electric aviation project, which aims to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions. By promoting innovation and sustainability, the Kvarken Council EGTC helps reduce the region\u2019s carbon footprint and contributes to creating a greener future.<\/p>\n

Next in line is, of course, the Nordic Connector project, which seeks to develop a fixed connection across the Kvarken. Nordic Connector is an incredibly important strategic project rooted in solid political cooperation, evidenced by its inclusion in the Finnish Government Programme, which led to the launch of the ongoing feasibility study.<\/p>\n

However, it is essential to remember that the goal is not merely to create projects \u2013 the projects are tools in this process, albeit vital ones.<\/p>\n

Nordic Cooperation and Cross-Border Regional Development<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Kvarken Council EGTC plays a central role in strengthening Nordic cooperation and actively contributes to realizing the Nordic Council of Ministers\u2019 Vision\u00a02030, which envisions the Nordics as the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. The Kvarken Council helps to build bridges and foster understanding between Finland and Sweden by serving as a platform for dialogue and collaboration between the two countries. This is particularly important at a time when cross-border cooperation is increasingly necessary to address shared challenges, such as geopolitical tensions, the green transition, climate change, and economic development.<\/p>\n

The Kvarken Council EGTC holds a significant role in cross-border regional development. The organization contributes to strengthening the region\u2019s competitiveness and attractiveness by driving projects that enhance infrastructure, promote innovation, and create new opportunities for businesses, such as in the tourism sector through the Bothnian Coastal Route project. This, in turn, leads to increased growth and prosperity for the region\u2019s inhabitants.<\/p>\n

World\u2019s Most Democratic Organization?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Kvarken Council EGTC is a shining example of how cross-border cooperation can lead to tangible results and positive change. Through its unique Board composition and innovative projects, the organization sets a path for how regions can work together to create a sustainable and successful future. It is a model that other regions in Europe and beyond can learn from and be inspired by. Remarkably, this has been achieved without top-down direction; there are no laws or regulations mandating regions, municipalities, and organizations to coordinate at the Nordic level across national borders. This collaboration has been created single-handedly and voluntarily by the region\u2019s inhabitants, because it is important. The foundation of this cooperation is trust, and its structure fosters even more trust. For this reason, I often refer to this collaboration as the world\u2019s most democratic organization. In today\u2019s turbulent world, where nations are divided and wars rage in various corners of the globe, this achievement is something we can and should be immensely proud of. Trust is the greatest treasure of the North.<\/p>\n

I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone contributing to the Kvarken Council\u2019s success \u2013 our dedicated staff, Board, members, regional politicians and officials, and our funders from the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Interreg Aurora program. Your efforts are invaluable and deeply appreciated.<\/p>\n

Forwards \u2013 together!<\/p>\n

Mathias Lindstr\u00f6m<\/strong>
\nDirector
\nKvarken Council EGTC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A greeting from our Director Mathias Lindstr\u00f6m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":14676,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"

Mats Brandt, Regional Mayor at the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia and representative of the Kvarken Council, participated in Europaforum Norra Sverige in Sundsvall, Sweden, and took the opportunity to emphasize both Finland\u2019s long tradition of security of supply and the forward-looking Nordic Connector project.<\/p>

The forum\u2019s theme, \u201cNorthern EU in a New Geopolitical Perspective\u201d, provided Brandt with a perfect stage to discuss how regions can play a larger role in Europe\u2019s geopolitical development. Brandt reminded that Finland\u2019s security of supply has deep historical roots dating back to the First World War.<\/p>

\u2013 Iron, gunpowder, and grain \u2013 that\u2019s where it starts. We are very proud of our capacity to maintain continuity during crises, which has been proven several times throughout history, not least during the oil crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, he explained.<\/p>

However, the central part of Brandt\u2019s presentation was dedicated to the Nordic Connector project, which he describes as a lifeline for the security and development of the region and the entire Northern Nordics.<\/p>

Brandt emphasized that the project offers a new dimension of cooperation and integration across regional borders. It can act as a catalyst for further collaboration and development and has the potential to radically reshape future landscapes in both the Northern Nordics and Europe.<\/p>

\u2013 Through Nordic Connector, we are not only creating new trade routes and communication lines but also stronger ties between communities across regional borders, which enhances our collective resilience up here in the North, he explained.<\/p>

\u2013 This vision of connectivity has occasionally been forgotten but is today more relevant than ever. We are facing not just an opportunity to physically connect two coasts but also to ideologically and economically integrate the northern parts of Europe, Brandt concluded.<\/p>

In his speech at Europaforum, Brandt emphasized the importance of continuing to promote development initiatives like these at regional, national, and European levels to ensure success and to strengthen security and development in northern Europe.<\/p>

Watch and listen to Mats\u2019s speech here (in Swedish): https:\/\/youtu.be\/DR4BFEE5lBQ<\/a><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"amnen":[95,99,89,77],"class_list":["post-21976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","amnen-cooperation-structures","amnen-egtc","amnen-greeting","amnen-halsningar"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLetter from our Director: Kvarken Council EGTC \u2013 A Model for Nordic Cooperation - Kvarkenr\u00e5det<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kvarken.org\/en\/letter-from-our-director-2024\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Letter from our Director: Kvarken Council EGTC \u2013 A Model for Nordic Cooperation - Kvarkenr\u00e5det\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A greeting from our Director Mathias Lindstr\u00f6m.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kvarken.org\/en\/letter-from-our-director-2024\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kvarkenr\u00e5det\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-13T11:11:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-12-13T12:17:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kvarken.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mathias_liten2-1024x640.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Huuhka Ida-Maria\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Huuhka Ida-Maria\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kvarken.org\\\/en\\\/letter-from-our-director-2024\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kvarken.org\\\/en\\\/letter-from-our-director-2024\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Huuhka Ida-Maria\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kvarken.org\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0da9a52b8b8962cba7c963d7189046b5\"},\"headline\":\"Letter from our Director: Kvarken Council EGTC \u2013 A Model for Nordic Cooperation\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-13T11:11:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-13T12:17:58+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kvarken.org\\\/en\\\/letter-from-our-director-2024\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":797,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kvarken.org\\\/en\\\/letter-from-our-director-2024\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kvarken.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/Mathias_liten2.jpg\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kvarken.org\\\/en\\\/letter-from-our-director-2024\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kvarken.org\\\/en\\\/letter-from-our-director-2024\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kvarken.org\\\/en\\\/letter-from-our-director-2024\\\/\",\"name\":\"Letter from our Director: Kvarken Council EGTC \u2013 A Model for Nordic Cooperation - 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