Debunking cycling myths: Realities and recommen­dations for Nordic planning and policy

This publication is a culmination of the challenges, lessons learned, and good practices of cycling in the capital cities and regions of the Nordic countries. Derived from the research and discussions among network participants, this publication highlights eight common myths about the role of the bicycle as a mode of transport in the Nordic Region. Each myth is followed by an evidence-based rebuttal, confronting the inaccurate claims and uprooting the underlying problem. After each reality statement, we provide suggestions and good practices, based on both desk research and contributions from practitioners in the Nordic Cycle Power Network

Social acceptance as a prerequisite for the green transition

This report explores the role of social acceptance in driving the green transition across the Nordic countries. The report focuses on two cases: social acceptance of wind power development and fuel taxes and describes the situation in three Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, and Norway. However, the insights and recommendations also apply to the other green initiatives and the other Nordic countries. The report provides a status of the level of social acceptance, identifies the main challenges, and offers general lessons learned and ways forward in terms of addressing and potentially improving social acceptance for the green transition

Known and unknown PFAS in Norwegian adults: Temporal Trends and Sources

The study investigated fluorinated chemicals in humans and their changes over 2–3 weeks (T1 vs T2). Samples were collected in Norway, from September 2016 to November 2017. Exposure sources to known per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and unrecognized fluorinated chemicals were studied. Methods measured 64 PFASs and extractable organofluorine (EOF). Up to 81% of detected fluorinated chemicals were unrecognized, with a median of 38%. About 36% of participants showed EOF concentration changes >25%. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) comprised ~33% of EOF and was the most abundant PFAS. No link was found between unrecognized EOF and diet or personal care at T1, but T2 proportions correlated with vegetable/potato consumption. In a separate cohort, fluorinated medication users had higher TFA and EOF. Further research is needed to identify TFA sources and other fluorinated chemicals

Ett bättre arbetsliv för transpersoner : Nyckelbudskap från den nordiska konferensen Improving Working Life for Trans People, 23 oktober 2024

Den här publikationen sammanfattar det huvudsakliga budskapet från en nordisk konferens om transpersoners villkor på arbetsmarknaden, som hölls i Stockholm den 23 oktober år 2024.   Konferensen tog avstamp i kunskapsöversikten ”Transpersoners arbetslivsvillkor i Norden” som publicerades våren 2024 av Nordisk information för kunskap om kön (NIKK). I kunskapsöversikten sammanställs resultat från nordiska studier, och den sammantagna bilden visar att transpersoner möter särskilda hinder i arbetslivet. Fördomar och dåligt bemötande påverkar såväl rekryteringsprocesser som arbetsmiljö och möjligheter till karriärsutveckling, vilket får konkret betydelse, inte minst för transpersoners ekonomi.   Under konferensen delades kunskap och erfarenheter från forskning, politik, myndigheter, fackförbund, arbetsgivare och civilsamhällesorganisationer

Sustainability in Cultural Policy in the Nordic Countries

In this policy brief, Kulturanalys Norden provides an overview of how sustainability is integrated into the cultural policies of the Nordic governments. The focus of the policy brief is on political governance and initiatives that explicitly aim to contribute to social, economic, or environmental sustainability. The analysis is based on government budgets (2023–2025) and on current policy documents, strategies, and policy goals of relevance to cultural policy

A small step for digitalisation, a giant leap for humanity? Reflections on human-centredness in the public sector

The human being is at the heart of the Nordic cooperation project, Nordic DigiGov Lab, funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The focus is on making it easier for citizens in the Nordic and Baltic countries to navigate through various life events with the help of digital public services. In this publication, we highlight different perspectives of human-centredness and reflect on the various components from three different dimensions: governance, public services and innovation. How are these dimensions interconnected? How should priorities be set from a human-centric perspective? What are the limits and possibilities for public administration to work in a human-centric way? Our aim is not to provide ready-made answers but to encourage questions and discussions – alongside decision-makers, practitioners, researchers, and others with an interest in the topic

Network seminar for the Nordic Networks on Deafblindness 2024 : Conference report

This conference report is based on the first joint Nordic network seminar on deafblindness, held in Malmö in November 2024, and summarises key outcomes with a particular focus on video analysis as a method for strengthening professional understanding across disciplines

Nitrogen deposition in the Nordic countries : Results from two research projects focused on Nordic nature and air pollution

The report presents results from two research projects, focusing on nitrogen deposition to terrestrial nature areas in the Nordic countries. Nordic Nature & Nitrogen aimed to update the regional air pollution models used in Denmark, Norway and Sweden with a more comprehensive description of ammonia deposition, and investigate the consequences of this update for nitrogen deposition to sensitive nature areas and the impact on biodiversity. Benefit Nature aimed to establish the research base for development of an economic valuation system for air pollution (EVA-Nature) to assess socio-economic benefits from reduction of nitrogen deposition to sensitive terrestrial nature areas. An important outcome of the projects are recommendations for Nordic research priorities and policy development for air pollution, especially with respect to emissions of ammonia

Nordic Study Plan Deafblindness

This Nordic study plan provides a framework for professionals working with individuals with deafblindness. Developed through a collaborative process involving experts from across the Nordic countries, the plan supports the planning and implementation of national educational programmes

Uusi lähestymistapa väestön vähenemiseen: Älykäs sopeutuminen Pohjoismaiden kunnissa ja alueilla

Tässä raportissa esitellään Smart adaptation to Rural Realities: Approaches and Practices in Nordic Municipalities and Regions -hankkeen keskeisiä havaintoja. Havainnot perustuvat pohjoismaiseen ja eurooppalaiseen väestön vähenemistä koskevaan kirjallisuuteen, aluekehitys- ja maaseudun kehittämispolitiikkojen tutkimukseen sekä asiantuntijoiden haastatteluihin. Hankkeen puitteissa järjestettiin työpajoja, joihin osallistui edustajia kuntien, alueiden ja kansallisen tason edustajia Ruotsista, Suomesta, Norjasta, Islannista ja Tanskasta. Raportissa tarkastellaan älykästä sopeutumista demografisiin muutoksiin. Keskeisiä sopeutumisstrategioita ovat resurssien tehokkaampi kohdentaminen, palvelutarjonnan mukauttaminen ja innovatiivisten ratkaisujen kehittäminen vähenevän väestön tarpeisiin. Se tarjoaa Pohjoismaiden paikallisille, alueellisille ja kansallisille päättäjille näkökulmia päätöksenteon tueksi kuvaamalla, miten demografisiin muutoksiin voidaan vastata sopeutumisstrategioiden avulla