Stärk Övre Norrlands framtid genom kompetens och lärande

This grant opportunity from Tillväxtverket (Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth) supports projects that promote flexible and needs-based competence development initiatives in the business sector of Västerbotten and Norrbotten regions. The funding addresses the region's competence supply challenges, which stem from large industrial investments, sparse population structure, aging population, gender-segregated labor market, low digitalization, and long distances to higher education institutions. Projects should contribute to meeting the business sector's competence supply needs through strategic collaboration, lifelong learning initiatives, and career transitions. The funding is available for both implementation projects (up to 40 months) and feasibility studies (up to 12 months). Projects must have clear connections to the regions' smart specialization strategies and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with particular focus on Gender Equality (Goal 5), Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10), and Partnerships (Goal 17). Eligible activities include reskilling within industry focusing on green transition, development of distance education, local competence matching through labor market hubs, branch-specific training centers for green transition, mentorship programs, and company academies. The program emphasizes structural changes through investments in physical infrastructure, digital solutions, and innovative learning methods.