Summer is around the corner, and while we are all looking forward to celebrating the long Nordic summer nights, we are busy planning our participation at the Nordic Democracy Festivals.
Are you curious to know more? We have collected an overview of our activities across all festivals:
Folkemødet, 11-13 June
First stop on the tour is Folkemødet in Denmark where Nordic Innovation’s CEO, Sindre Bornstein, will participate in the event Arktis i opbrud: Nordiske styrker og nye muligheder.
The event explores how the Nordic Arctic can help strengthen the Nordic region’s competitiveness towards 2030. Which areas of strength should we develop? Which untapped opportunities in business and innovation should we unlock? And how can we ensure that growth is sustainable, resilient, and firmly rooted in local Arctic communities?
The event is organized by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Arctic Economic Council.
When and where: 11. June, 13.00-14.30, Nordens Telt
Will you be at Folkemødet, and would you like to get into contact with Nordic Innovation? Feel free to reach out to Communications Advisor Sarah Hitz: sarah.hitz@nordicinnovation.org
Almedalsveckan, 23-26 June
Second stop on our Democracy Tour is Almedalsveckan, Gotland, Sweden. Nordic Innovation organizes one event in Nordens Tält.
The Nordic countries have strong conditions for innovation, but new ideas do not always automatically become successful products and services in the marketplace. The event Från nordisk innovovation till globalt genomslag explores the most significant commercialization barriers in the Nordic region and discusses how the Nordic countries can join forces to create a more competitive Nordic region.
When and where: 25. June, 17.00-17.45, Nordens Tält
Nordic Innovation is always aiming to be present at other events. This year at Almedalsveckan is no exception.
AI is reshaping the foundations of industry, innovation, and global competitiveness. For the Nordic region, the next step is not only about keeping pace with developments, but also about shaping them together.
In the event Nordisk AI suveränitet för global konkurrenskaft, Nordic Innovation’s CEO, Sindre Bornstein, takes part in a panel discussion on how we can strengthen the Nordics’ position in the age of AI. The question is how can we create meaningful transformation through collaboration between industry, academia, startups, and the public sector?
When and where: 25. June, 11.30-13.00, Kinbergsplats 8, Visby
Will you be in Almedalsveckan and would you like to get in contact with Nordic Innovation? Feel free to reach out to Head of Communications Lena Henriksson: L.Henriksson@nordicinnovation.org
SuomiAreena, 22-26 June
Third stop on our Democracy Tour is SuomiAreena in Finland. This year, the Nordic Council of Ministers organizes a Nordic Day. Nordic Innovation will take part in a session on Arctic security, resilience and competitiveness.
Minerals, energy, and security: why is the Nordic region strategically at the centre? What key resources lie beneath our soil? What do we mean when we talk about self-sufficiency in critical minerals? And what happens if we leave technological development in the hands of China and Taiwan?
The event Pohjoinen ratkaisee: mineraalit, energia ja digitaalinen suvereniteetti uuden geopoliittisen murroksen keskellä will highlight the key results from the Nordic Innovation funded report The Nordic Supply Potential of Critical and Strategic Raw Materials Under a Twin Transition and Geopolitical Reordering. Joonas Leppänen, advisor at Nordic Innovation takes part in the discussion together with Saku Vuori, Director from Geological Survey of Finland. Geological Survey of Finland is co-author of the report.
When and where: 24. June, 16.00-16.30, Nordic Stage
Will you be in SuomiAreena and would you like to get in contact with Nordic Innovation? Feel free to reach out to Communications advisor Nils Arne Haagensen: nils.haagensen@nordicinnovation.org
Arendalsuka, 10-14 August
The fourth stop on the Democracy Tour is Arendalsuka in Norway. Nordic Innovation organizes a total of four events in Nordens Telt.
Space is again at the top of the geopolitical agenda. It is not just about presence, control, and power, but also about building competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy at a time when these capabilities matter more than they have in decades.
The event Kampen om verdensrommet – hvordan kommer Norden først? explores the opportunities to strengthen the Nordic region’s position in the space sector. The Nordic countries are too small to build globally competitive space ecosystems on their own. But together, they are large enough to make a meaningful impact. The question is what will it take?
We kick start the event with a space-breakfast.
When and where: 12. August, 09.00-09.45
Europe is facing an increasingly unpredictable geopolitical and industrial landscape, with growing rivalry, trade tensions, and reduced access to critical and strategic minerals and metals. This has brought renewed attention to those who actually controls the value chains that underpin the energy transition, industrial competitiveness, and national security.
The event Fra geologi til geopolitik. Norges og Nordens posisjon i kritiske og strategiske verdikjeder we explore how Norway and the Nordic countries can leverage their competitive advantages to secure meaningful positions in strategic value chains. And what can we learn from our Canadian friends?
When and where: 12. August, 13.00-13.45
The event is organized in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Norway and Process21.
Other events: Små markeder – store muligheter: reisen mod et konkurrensedygtigt Norden.
When and where: 11. August, 14.30-15.15
Our activities at Arendansuka are still under development. Follow us to stay updated on the latest news.
Will you be in Arendalsuka, and would you like to get in contact with Nordic Innovation? Feel free to reach out to Head of Communications Lena Henriksson: L.Henriksson@nordicinnovation.org
Arctic Circle Assembly, 8-10 October
The last stop on our Democracy Tour is the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland. Nordic Innovation organizes one session in collaboration the Arctic Economic Council and Iceland Ocean Cluster. The Nordic Council of Ministers will again this year host a common Nordic stand for the different Nordic institutions.
The Nordic countries are among the world’s most innovative regions, yet too many strong ideas fail to become scalable products and services. This gap between research, innovation and commercialization is highlighted as one of Europe’s key competitiveness challenges, and it is particularly pronounced in the Nordics due to small domestic markets, fragmented demand, limited risk capital and weak scale-up pathways.
The event Escaping the Valley of Death in Arctic commercialization brings together Nordic and Arctic actors to identify the most critical barriers to commercialization and scaling, viewed through an Arctic lens.
When and where: (TBC)
If you are interested in collaborating with Nordic Innovation during the Arctic Circle Assembly, feel free to reach out to Head of Communications Lena Henriksson: L.Henriksson@nordicinnovation.org
We look forward to meeting you on our Democracy Tour 2026!
