The Northern Dimension 

1. What is the Northern Dimension? 
2. Where is the Northern Dimension? 
3. What is the focus of the Northern Dimension? 
4. How is the Northern Dimension financed? 
5. The Northern Dimension and NORDI
6. Which are the concrete projects of the Northern Dimension? 

1. What is the Northern Dimension?

The Northern Dimension (ND) partners are the European Union, the Russian Federation, Norway and Iceland. The USA and Canada hold observer status. The objective of the ND is to support sustainable development, stability, welfare and security in the northern parts of Europe.

2. Where is the Northern Dimension?

The Northern Dimension covers a broad geographic area stretching from the Arctic and Sub-Arctic to the southern shores of the Baltic, and from North-West Russia in the east to Iceland and Greenland in the west. The ND focuses increasingly on North-West Russia, the largest territory covered by the ND policy, with its specific challenges affecting also the other ND parties. The Baltic Sea, the Kalinigrad oblast as well as the extensive Arctic and Sub-Arctic areas including the Barents Region, are priority areas for the Northern Dimension policy. The ND policy is henceforward a common project and a common responsibility. It will help to ensure that no dividing lines are established in the North of Europe.

3. What is the focus of the Northern Dimension?

The Northern Dimension covers a range of sectors, such as energy, transport, the environment, nuclear safety, justice and home affairs, the fight against organised crime, health care, the promotion of trade and investment, cross-border cooperation, information technology, and research.

4. How is the Northern Dimension financed?

The Northern Dimension is financed from various sources including individual countries, Interreg, Tacis, international financial institutions (e.g. EBRD, EIB, NIB), and the private sector. The most important and most concrete achievements of the Northern Dimension are the Environmental Partnership (NDEP) and the Partnership for Public Health and Social Wellbeing (NDPHS). Within these partnerships, all participating countries are equal and all contribute to them financially.

5. The Northern Dimension and NORDI

The Northern Dimension framework supports NORDI’s activities both geographically and through the focus of its activities. The scientific and research projects in the ND support NORDI’s aims. ND activities in the fields of economic development, logistics and information technology, environmental technology and energy efficiency are also included in the areas of strength and emphasis of Lappeenranta University of Technology.

6. Which are the concrete projects of the Northern Dimension?

According to the Northern Dimension Information System (2006), over 500 projects were concluded, ongoing or under preparation within the frames of the Northern Dimension at the end of 2006. In financial terms, over 85% of the projects (that is, 1.1 billion euros) included in the Northern Dimension Information System (2006) are implemented in the areas of environment, nuclear safety and natural resources. In addition to this amount, one could take into account the St. Petersburg South-West water treatment plant, which cost 194 million euros.

However, the number of projects involving the environment, nuclear safety and natural resources is just one fourth of all projects carried out in the five focus areas of the Northern Dimension Action Plan 2004-2006. About 75% of projects are in other areas: Human Resources, Education, Scientific Research, Culture and Public Health (35%), Cross-Border Cooperation & Regional Development (19%), Economy, Business and Infrastructure (16%), and Justice and Home Affairs (4%).

Projects in Priority Areas on the Northern Dimension Action Plan 2004–2006

*) The total minimum costs were counted on the basis of the Northern Dimension Information System (2006).

The Northern Dimension Information System (2004-2007) of European Commission is a way of sharing information between the different partners and stakeholders developing projects in the region. Projects are listed in order to avoid duplication and maximize synergies. Information on each project is basic and mainly intended to provide contact information.

Sources: Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland; European Commission; Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership, Northern Dimension Information System.

For more information on Northern Dimension, please see the links-page.

Northern Dimension