Themes and focus areas
Nordplus focus highlights knowledge and skills for a competitive Nordic and Baltic region, supporting the Nordic Council of Ministers’ vision of the world’s most sustainable and integrated region.
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Nordplus focus: A competitive Nordic and Baltic region
Nordplus works in line with the Nordic Council of Ministers’ vision that the Nordic region should be the world’s most sustainable and integrated region by 2030. After a couple of years of focus on social sustainability and inclusion, it is now a competitive Nordic and Baltic region that is in focus.
About the Nordplus focus area 2025
In line with the Nordic Council of Ministers’ vision of the Nordic region as the world’s most sustainable and integrated region by 2030, Nordplus presents a new focus area from 2025: Knowledge and skills for a competitive Nordic and Baltic region.
A competitive region is a sustainable and equal region that promotes education that meets the need for competence. The emphasis within the focus area is therefore on improved basic skills in language and mathematics, which are crucial for succeeding in studies. Knowledge in STEM subjects, AI and green competences is also important in order to stand up to competition from the outside world.
That individuals through mobility develop, gain new perspectives and experience from other cultures also increases the opportunities to establish themselves in the labour market and contribute to a sustainable society.
The different Nordplus focus areas apply to all Nordplus sub-programmes and are a way to encourage initiatives on a particular theme, but there are no requirements that they should steer the content of new projects. What determines which projects have their application approved is always quality.
"The Nordic region shall be the world’s most sustainable and integrated region by 2030"
The vision of the Nordic Council of Ministers is that the Nordic region shall be the world’s most sustainable and integrated region by 2030. The vision is in line with Agenda 2030 and the UN’s seventeen global goals for sustainable development. Within the vision there are several themes that you as a project owner within Nordplus can keep in mind when choosing the subject of your project.
- Contribute to good health and well-being for all.
- Strive to involve all Nordic citizens in the green transition and prevent the emergence of social divides.
- Give children and young people a stronger voice and greater engagement in Nordic cooperation.
- Maintain social trust and Nordic cohesion with a focus on culture, democracy, equality and integration.
On social sustainability – Nordplus focus area 2023–2024
The Nordic ministers of education have discussed the importance of education for inclusion and development and have concluded that the Nordic region must invest more in language teaching for children with a different linguistic and cultural background.
Language is the key to society and society is the key to language! (norden.org)
A Nordic pilot study on working with social sustainability in everyday life:
The Public Health Agency of Sweden on social sustainability:
What does sustainability mean for us? (Website of the Public Health Agency of Sweden)
Reports stating that all pupils and students by 2030 should acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development:
UNESCO’s Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)