Article categories: News
Opportunities and cooperation at the heart of the Umeå–Vaasa joint strategy day
Published: 17.12.2025
On 11 December, politicians and senior officials from Umeå and Vaasa met for a joint strategy day. The purpose of the day was to review the strategic cooperation approved by the Umeå Municipal Council and the Vaasa City Council in August 2023, and to assess and further develop it.
The cooperation is organised around four focus areas, which were also at the heart of the strategy day. Participants reviewed reports from the focus groups covering business and industry, attracting talent, urban and living environments, and shared experiences. Discussions based on these reports looked at the region’s development up to 2035 and the concrete steps needed to reach these goals.
Hans Lindberg, chair of the Umeå Municipal Executive Board and the driving force behind the closer cooperation, was very pleased with the day.
– The discussions show that, together, we can create an even stronger and more attractive region for residents, businesses, and the tourism sector. Vaasa is our closest neighbouring city, and with the world facing challenging times, it is especially important for us to maintain close ties, says Hans Lindberg.
Vaasa’s City Board and elected officials took part in the day for the first time in their new composition. Frans Villanen, the current Chair of the City Council, participated in the event in this role for the first time.
– Cooperation with Umeå is important to us so that we can strengthen each other and realise our shared visions across the borderless region. As we continue building for the future, I look forward to further developing the cooperation between Umeå and Vaasa. We have everything it takes to succeed, says Frans Villanen.
Read more about the cooperation.
In 2023, Vaasa and Umeå agreed on a joint development strategy. Its main goals are sustainable growth, well-being and equality, as well as increasing the region’s combined total population to 300,000 by 2050.