During late summer and autumn, the project has placed cross-border preparedness firmly on the political agenda. The findings, networks and knowledge developed have acted as a catalyst for new initiatives in the region. Existing relationships are now being expanded and a shared vision is under development.
Political focus on preparedness
One of the most important outcomes of the project is that preparedness in the ARKO cross-border region (Sweden-Norway) has now become a political issue. The project has been presented in municipal councils, executive committees, and inter-municipal councils on both sides of the border – including Kongsvinger, Eidskog, Sunne, Torsby, and Arvika. This demonstrates that preparedness is no longer only an administrative or technical matter, but part of the political processes in the border region.
The project was also presented at a joint meeting of all border committees in Norway and Sweden, attended by their executive leaders, providing valuable feedback on the way forward and highlighting the potential transfer value of the work to other border regions.
A catalyst for new projects
The preparatory work has raised awareness and also served as a catalyst for several follow-up initiatives. The networks, mapping, and knowledge base developed are now being applied directly in other projects:
- A preliminary project owned by the Kongsvingerregionen inter-political council, funded by the County Governor of Innlandet. It explores a joint regional vision for preparedness, with a focus on improved organizational structures, cross-border crisis management, and dual-use initiatives in areas such as energy, mobility, competence, and supply security.
- Gränslös Beredskap (Borderless Preparedness): a two-year project running until 2027, focusing on strengthening total preparedness through cooperation between municipalities, voluntary organizations, and local businesses. Two conferences are planned – the first in October 2025 and a national-level event in September 2026.
Building on networks and relations
The project has fostered closer dialogue between Norwegian and Swedish preparedness coordinators. These relationships are now being embedded into new projects, ensuring continuity and long-term structures for cooperation.
New landing page and shared vision
A dedicated landing page is under development. It will present results from the preparatory project and provide an overview of ongoing and upcoming cross-border initiatives in the ARKO region. The page is designed to provide a clear and accessible overview of ongoing work – for internal use, enabling municipalities to share information within their organizations, and for external use, helping politicians highlight the region’s efforts when addressing national decision-makers.
The experiences from the preliminary project also provide the foundation for an updated overview of ongoing preparedness collaborations and focus areas in both Sweden and Norway. This forms an important basis for the overlapping projects and ensures that the knowledge generated is used strategically to strengthen resilience across the entire border region.
Highlighted on the European stage
The topic is also being addressed internationally. The Chair of the ARKO Border Committee, Kamilla Thue, will contribute with a presentation during the European Week of Border Regions, where preparedness and cross-border cooperation will be discussed. This provides ARKO with an opportunity to showcase its work in a broader European context.
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