About the Nordics
WHAT IS THE NORDICS? Is it simply a group of countries populated by more than 27 million people? Or is it rather a state of mind, greater than our combined landmasses? We think so!
This time we are not trying to conquer the world.
Core story
When The Nordics collaborate on a unified branding of the Nordic countries, it is not about achieving world domination. It's not about asserting our superior culture, wonderful nature and creativity. It's not even about conquering investments, growing tourism and creating jobs.
It is about inviting. Inspiring. About conversation and cooperation, exchange of thoughts and ideas.
It’s about making the Nordic perspective applicable as a human competitive parameter.
We are not going to show the Nordics to the world, we will show the Nordics in the world. As traces of North.
Our values
The Nordic perspective, our common Nordic values, constitutes the foundation of the Nordic brand. It is precisely this perspective that positions the Nordic region in relation to the rest of the world, and the values can in all cases be used as a common tool and explanation framework for who we are and what we stand for.
The more we "live the brand" in practice and show the outside world that there is truth behind the words, the greater impact we create.
A set of values
Openness and a belief in everyone's right to express their opinions.
Trust in each other and also, because of proximity to power, trust in leaders in society.
New ways of thinking, focusing, creativity and innovations.
Sustainable management og the environment and development of natural resources.
Compassion, tolerance, and conviction about equal value of all people.
Want to know more about the Nordic region and the Nordic countries?
What is...
Most of the world doesn’t distinguish between the Nordic countries, they see a group of countries characterized and inspired by common ideas and values like openness, trust, and new ways of thinking, sustainability, and the equal value of all people. Our aim is to create a unified brand for The Nordics, a brand that shares its relevance with the world. Showing how Nordic thinking has inspired many, showing how Nordic values can work across borders, cultures and generations.
The Nordics in the world
With The Nordics we want to turn the challenge and re-think the usual concepts of place branding. So we turned it all up-side down. Instead of showing The Nordics to the world – we will show The Nordics in the world.
We’re searching the globe to find Traces of North with the aim to share them, using them as a way to tell our common story, and sharing Nordic ideas that will start conversations with the rest of the world.
Starting new conversations
When we collaborate on mutual branding of The Nordics, It’s about inviting. Inspiring. And starting new conversations with each other, as well as the world.
To help others taking part, we have developed a digital brand toolbox that aims to help you get the Nordic vibe across all of your projects. Use the toolbox to create your material, everything from print to social media templates are available, or you can simply collect films, images or even slides for your next presentation.
Behind the project
The Nordics is a branding project for Aaland, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden commissioned by The Ministers for Nordic co-operation.
The vision declaration of the Nordic Ministers for Co-operation: Together We Are Stronger identifies an innovative, visible and outward-looking Nordic region as important characteristics for this co-operation.
The Strategy for the International Branding of the Nordic Region lays down guidelines for how to brand the Region and is designed for use by us all, not just by the official Nordic bodies. You can read the full report HERE.
www.thenordics.com is a joint initiative under the Nordic Council of Ministers (www.norden.org) If you are looking for more information about the Nordic countries you can visit one or more of the following official webpages.
News and press releases
The world is turning to the Nordic Region at the moment, and branding will help draw attention to what we have in common: our Nordic perspective, our values and a culture that stems from a shared history.