As Director of Regional Development at Region Norrbotten, Janus Brandin is one of the central voices in northern Sweden’s accelerating transformation. In this interview, he explains why the Arctic matters now more than ever – and why global investors should pay close attention. Learn more at Demo North Summit 14-15 April 2026, in Luleå.
Insights from speaker Janus Brandin, Director of Regional Development at Region Norrbotten.
With experience ranging from EU policy to local governance and international development, he approaches the region’s opportunities through the lens of resilience, strategic partnerships and long-term competitiveness. In this interview, he explains why the Arctic matters now more than ever – and why global investors should pay close attention.
Why is resilience such a central issue for Norrbotten right now?
– From an Arctic perspective, resilience is far more than preparedness. Norrbotten sits in a geopolitical and security landscape where strong, resilient communities essentially form the first line of defence in any crisis. That makes it crucial to build resilience across society — economically, socially and infrastructurally. It’s what allows us to maintain stability in uncertain times and continue to develop at the pace required by the major industrial investments underway.
How can Arctic cooperation strengthen the region’s long-term development?
– Arctic regions share similar conditions: climate, distance, competence supply and security considerations. That creates a natural foundation for collaboration. By working together, we can build alliances that increase our collective strength and improve our ability to attract both capital and strategic partners. The scale of the transition we are experiencing requires cooperation beyond local and national borders. Arctic collaboration gives us the momentum needed to match that scale.
You often describe Norrbotten as the “epicenter of Europe’s green transition.” What does that mean in practical terms?
– Quite simply, nowhere else in Europe and very few places in the world are seeing the same concentration of private investment in future industries. The shift from fossil-dependent to fossil-free production is happening here at an unprecedented speed.
– You see it in new factories, massive construction projects, and large-scale industrial initiatives driven by technology and innovation. But with this momentum comes significant societal demands: housing, infrastructure, skills, energy systems and community development. If we want this transformation to be sustainable, these investments must grow in parallel.
What role do international strategic partners play in Norrbotten’s development?
– A crucial one. Norrbotten has several strategically important strengths — minerals, wireless communication, vehicle testing and the space sector — but developing them to their full potential requires more than our own regional resources.
– We need partners who can contribute capital, competence and long-term collaboration. Investors who want to be part of shaping new value chains. When these partnerships come together, they create clusters that accelerate development and generate opportunities far beyond individual sectors.
– Another important dimension is multi-level governance. Operating across EU, national, regional and local levels has enabled us to access European funding and build strong research and innovation ecosystems. When research progresses, companies follow — and when companies grow, investments multiply.
What is your message to investors and companies that haven’t yet engaged in Norrbotten?
– Norrbotten is one of the places where the future is genuinely being built, not only in theory, but in practice. If you want to be part of the most ambitious industrial transformation in Europe, the time is now.
– The opportunities lie not only in the core industries, but in everything that must develop around them: communities, infrastructure, technology, energy, services. The train is moving and those who join now will shape what comes next.
What types of investments and partnerships are most needed at the moment?
– There are needs on two interconnected levels. Industrial investments in new technologies, production, advanced materials, energy solutions and innovation. And societal investments in housing, infrastructure, logistics, skills development, and vibrant communities. Both are essential. Private and public capital must work together to create the conditions for long-term regional resilience and competitiveness.
How can Demo North Summit accelerate this development?
– Demo North is the only international conference of its kind in northern Sweden. It brings global investors and industry leaders directly to the epicenter of the transformation. This is where you see the reality on the ground, the scale, the momentum and the partnerships forming. It’s a platform for dialogue, for discovery and for forging the strategic relationships that drive development forward.
What do you hope participants will take away from Demo North Summit 2026?
– I hope they leave with a clear understanding of the breadth of investment opportunities in both private companies and larger societal development. And I hope they feel a sense of urgency: the transformation is happening here and now, and their engagement matters. Norrbotten is the heart of the European Arctic. Investments here are not only good business, they are essential for Europe’s long-term competitiveness and security.
