The two largest and most prosperous cities in the Kvarkenregion, Umeå and Vaasa, in northern Europe, have reached a strategic agreement regarding tackling future challenges together. The two cities already own a joint harbour company as well as a ferry company, which runs the world’s most environmentally friendly ferry Aurora Botnia across the sea between Finland and Sweden.
The cities Umeå and Vaasa have the shared vision of enhancing limitless possibilities in a sustainable growing region. Hence, they will cooperate even closer than previously within the following four focus areas:
- An innovative, integrated, growing and sustainable business sector.
- A competitive region that attracts talents.
- Attractive urban and living environments.
- Umeå-Vasa – shared experiences.
“Courage to embrace change”
Our vision is that we, Vaasa and Umeå, will be an inspirational example of a region with limitless opportunities. We have set out, in a true co-Nordic spirit, to become an integrated inclusive region that have the courage to embrace change.
Firstly, EU aims to establish an internal market within its borders, work for sustainable development based on well-balanced economic growth and price stability, market economy with high competitiveness and social progress. Secondly, according to the vision from the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2019 will the Nordic Region be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.
To realize this vision, three strategy areas are prioritized: a green Nordic Region, a competitive Nordic Region, and a socially sustainable Nordic Region. Finally, the strategies within EU as well as the visions for a more integrated Nordic region go well together with our joint strategic vision in the Kvarken region.
The municipality of Umeå and the City of Vaasa are also founding principal members of the Kvarken Council EGTC, which is the first EGTC in the Nordics and one of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ official border committees working to develop cross border cooperation and remove border obstacles.
Why are we doing this?
We believe that we need to join forces and work together to win the global competition of attractive labour markets, improve the conditions of new talents staying in our region as well as strengthen the innovative business environment for our companies and organizations.
Attractive cities with a global mindset
Our cities rank the highest in Europe, when measuring the development and well-being of the population. Social progress is a society’s ability to meet the basic human needs of its citizens, establish the building blocks that allow people and communities to improve and maintain quality of life and create the conditions for all individuals to reach their full potential. Vaasa and Umeå are great places to fulfil these goals and live a happy and good life.
500 years of collaboration
The cities of Vaasa and Umeå already have a long tradition of cooperation for several centuries. Through a long-term and developed collaboration, we will continue to focus on our urban qualities with sustainability, participation, and accessibility in focus to increase the interaction between the cities and build an even more competitive region.
We have a global mindset to everything we do. We have access to qualified labour, cost-effective and environmentally sound transport systems, as well as the proximity to innovative environments within the business sector and within our eight universities.
We have the availability of a broad internationally renowned education, qualified care, a broad labour market with global innovative companies as well as a rich cultural and leisure life that make the cities attractive to live in.
A new chapter has begun as the saga of our region continues. There are lots of opportunities and we are looking forward to welcoming you to the Kvarkenregion, where innovation, sustainability and new groundbreaking opportunities awaits you.
Hans Lindberg
Mayor
Umeå Municipality
Sweden
Tomas Häyry
Mayor
City of Vaasa
Finland
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