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Nordic cooperation

Nordic cooperation is the oldest and most developed regional cooperation in Europe. It is represented by two organizations: the Nordic Council, which was established in 1952 and brings together representatives of the national parliaments of all the Nordic countries, as well as the Nordic Council of Ministers, which is an intergovernmental cooperation body established in 1971 and implementing the decisions taken by the Nordic Council.

Nordic region

The Nordic region consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and three self-governing areas - the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland. The region covers 8 time zones, populate approximately 25 million people with 8 official languages.

A central role in facilitating and implementing Nordic cooperation with Latvia

The Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Latvia works with various cooperation projects and support programs. Openness to new thoughts, ideas and partnerships is one of the fundamental principles of Nordic co-operation.

Priority areas

The activities of the NCM Office in Latvia is coordinated within the framework of the Nordic vision which was adopted by the Nordic prime ministers in 2019. The current Vision 2030 aspire to make the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world, and includes three strategic areas – a green, competitive, and socially sustainable Nordic region. The support for the Nordic countries` ever closer partnership with the Baltic states is being developed in accordance with this vision. Different sectors of society – from government and state agencies, line ministries, regional and municipal entities, academia, NGO´s and others - participate in cooperation with the NCM via the mobility programmes and various projects. The activities of The NCM Office in Latvia are also regulated by the guidelines for NCM cooperation with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which includes activities within the following priority areas:

Education, research and innovations;
Business, cluster networks and creative industries;
Environment, climate and energy, environmental conditions in the Baltic Sea, effective environmental technologies and the development of renewable sources of energy;
The international challenges faced by society (fight against human trafficking and the spread of HIV/AIDS; improving co-operation between police forces and public prosecution services; developing hospital services, and addressing demographic challenges).
Cross-border regional co-operation to promote joint fundamental values, such as democracy, good governance, gender equality, freedom of speech and tolerance – both under Nordic-Baltic auspices and in relation to other neighbouring countries, including Belarus.

The Nordic Council

The Nordic Council was formed in 1952 and is the official inter-parliamentary body for cooperation in the Nordic Region. Each calendar year one Nordic country presides at the Nordic Council. In 2023 the Nordic Council is chaired by Norway.

The Nordic Council of Ministers

The Nordic Council of Ministers was formed in 1971 and is the official inter-governmental body for cooperation in the Nordic Region. The formal responsibility for the work of the Nordic Council of Ministers lies with the prime ministers of the Nordic countries, but in practice, the Nordic Council of Ministers' work in each Nordic country is coordinated by a Nordic Cooperation Minister and a Nordic Co-operation Committee. The Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers rotates between the five Nordic countries and is held for a period of one year.

In 2024, the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers is held by Sweden. It aims to make the Nordic region safer, greener, and freer and the most sustainable and integrated region in the world.

The Nordic Council of Ministers Vision 2030 aspire to make the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world, and includes three strategic areas – a green, competitive, and socially sustainable Nordic region. The programme of Finland's Presidency in 2021 is based on this vision and in accordance with it, the programme is based on three strategic priorities: "A green Nordic Region", "A competitive Nordic Region" and "A socially sustainable Nordic Region". We are stronger and wiser together than as individuals.

The green Nordic region

The Nordic region is recognised worldwide as a guarantor of ambitious and effective sustainability initiatives and climate solutions. The new Presidency will continue and refine co-operation on the environment, nature and climate in order to make the region even greener, to promote biodiversity and reduce plastic and waste in the world's oceans.

The competitive Nordic region

The Presidency will continue to enhance the position of the Nordic region as the most wide-ranging form of regional co-operation with cross-border freedom of movement in the world. Research, innovation, investments and digitalisation will make companies as competitive as possible during the green transition and promote circular, climate-friendly solutions that will benefit the Nordic region and the rest of the world.

The socially sustainable Nordic region

Nordic cohesion is based on shared values such as trust, democracy and gender equality. However, this cohesion is threatened by encroaching globalisation. The programme for the Presidency sees education and culture as positive platforms for efforts to preserve and enhance social cohesion and knowledge of the Nordic languages. Sustainable communities of young people will be invaluable in this context. Nordic co-operation must benefit everybody in the region.

The Nordic swan

The flying swan has been the symbol of both the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers since 1985 and represents trust, integrity and freedom. The Nordic swan – a joint corporate logo of the official Nordic co-operation – underwent transformation in November 2016. Designed by Bo Linnemann (Denmark), it pays due respect to the original model created by Kyösti Varis (Finland) in 1985, but this time in a simpler, clearer and modern version.

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Baltic offices attend meeting of the Nordic Committee for Cooperation

CONFERENCE FOR PROFESSIONALS: Dementia prevention and inclusive urban environments

LECTURE: Danish landscape architect and accessibility expert Torben Schønherr in Riga

Interview with Bryndís Haraldsdóttir, President of the Nordic Council

CULTURE: Call for applications in 2 grant sub-programmes

Funding programmes

Projects