Region Norrbotten is updating its Regional Development Strategy (RUS) during 2024, with a target year of 2040, according to multiple reports. The strategy will guide decisions on what the region invests its regional development funds in. It is linked to the Agenda 2030 sustainability goals, EU regional development, and national goals. The RUS must be updated at least once between each election; the previous RUS began in 2019 and targeted 2030. The work on revising the strategy will continue until the end of 2025.
As part of the update, Region Norrbotten's Democracy Forum Future Lab gathered 37 young people aged 15–25 from across Norrbotten to explore how youth influence in regional democracy can be strengthened, according to multiple reports. The young participants met with officials working on skills supply and culture, and later worked with regional politicians.
Meanwhile, Region Västerbotten's Regional Development Committee has produced a draft strategy for the tourism industry for 2027–2030, according to official sources. The draft strategy is being sent for consultation to municipalities, the County Administrative Board, and other relevant actors, with response time during September–October. The strategy identifies areas where the region can contribute: strengthening collaboration between municipalities and businesses, developing existing destinations, and contributing to better conditions throughout the year. After the consultation period, the proposal will be processed for political handling.
Regionstyrelsen (Regional Executive Board) will meet on Tuesday, 31 March 2026 at 13:00 in the Board Room, Regionhuset in Luleå, according to multiple reports. The meeting is open to the public.
It remains unclear what specific feedback will be incorporated into the final tourism strategy for Västerbotten, and how the outcomes of the Future Lab forum will influence the Norrbotten 2040 strategy. The concrete proposals from the young participants for Norrbotten 2040 have not been detailed, and the adoption date for the final regional development strategy has not been announced. Specific budget allocations for the tourism strategy in Västerbotten are also unknown.