EARLALL Welcomes Two New Associate Members from Norway: Trøndelag European Office and Hamar Region
26/06/2026
EARLALL is pleased to welcome two new Associate Members from Norway: the Trøndelag European Office (TEO) and the Hamar Region. Their membership further strengthens EARLALL’s network of regions committed to advancing lifelong learning, skills development, and regional cooperation across Europe.
Trøndelag European Office: Strengthening European Cooperation on Skills and Lifelong Learning
The Trøndelag European Office (TEO) represents the Trøndelag region in Brussels, supporting regional stakeholders in engaging with European policies, programmes, and partnerships. Through its work, TEO contributes to strengthening regional development by connecting its members with European knowledge, funding opportunities, and collaborative networks.
Trøndelag is recognised as one of Norway’s leading knowledge regions, characterised by strong cooperation between public authorities, education providers, research institutions, and industry. Competence development and lifelong learning are firmly embedded in the region’s strategies for sustainable growth, innovation, and social inclusion.
The region works systematically to align education and training with labour market needs, with a particular focus on vocational education and training (VET), higher education, and continuous upskilling and reskilling. International cooperation is also a central priority, with extensive participation in European programmes such as Erasmus+.
At the same time, Trøndelag is addressing important challenges linked to skills shortages and mismatches resulting from technological developments and the green transition. Ensuring equal access to education and lifelong learning opportunities across a geographically dispersed region remains a key priority, particularly for adults, SMEs, and rural communities.
Through TEO, several key regional actors engaged in competence development and lifelong learning are represented within EARLALL, including:
- Trøndelag County Authority, responsible for upper secondary education, vocational training, and regional skills strategies;
- Trondheim Municipality, working actively on skills development and innovation in public services;
- The County Governor of Trøndelag, contributing to coordination, governance, and implementation of national policies related to education, inclusion, and regional development;
- Nord University, providing higher education and flexible learning pathways;
- Namdal Regional Council, supporting regional competence needs, particularly in rural areas.
By joining EARLALL, Trøndelag aims to strengthen its engagement in European cooperation on lifelong learning and skills development, collaborating with regions facing similar challenges related to skills mismatches, inclusion, and the green and digital transitions.
“Lifelong learning and competence development are key priorities for our region. Similar to other European regions, Trøndelag is facing challenges related to skills shortages and mismatches driven by the green and digital transition. A membership in EARLALL is one of the tools we believe can help meet these challenges, as the network provides a platform for collaboration with other regions facing similar challenges.”
Håvard Tangvik
Director, Trøndelag European Office
Hamar Region: Advancing Regional Development Through Cooperation and Lifelong Learning
EARLALL is equally pleased to welcome the Hamar Region as a new Associate Member. The Hamar Region considers European interregional cooperation a strategic priority and sees participation in EARLALL as an important opportunity to engage in fruitful co-creation with other European regions sharing similar challenges and ambitions.
The Hamar Region is an established inter-municipal cooperation comprising the municipalities of Hamar, Løten, Ringsaker, and Stange in Innlandet County. Working closely with Innlandet County Municipality through a partnership agreement, the Hamar Region focuses on promoting regional societal development and strengthening local capacities.
Its regional strategy prioritises four key areas where cooperation offers significant potential for progress:
- Education;
- Competence development;
- Business development;
- Population and employment growth.
By joining EARLALL, the Hamar Region seeks to benefit from the network’s extensive experience in lifelong learning and regional development. Membership will provide valuable opportunities for exchanging expertise, experiences, and knowledge, directly supporting the region’s development goals.
As highlighted by the Hamar Region:
“European interregional cooperation is important to the Hamar Region, in line with our priority areas. By being associate partners in EARLALL, we are well-positioned to be part of a fruitful co-creation with other European regions facing the same challenges and goals. EARLALL’s many years of experience within lifelong learning, and their understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing regions, provides our region with an arena rich in valuable exchange of expertise, experience and knowledge that directly and positively impacts our regional development goals.”
Strengthening the EARLALL Community
The arrival of the Trøndelag European Office and the Hamar Region further reinforces EARLALL’s mission of supporting regions in addressing shared challenges related to lifelong learning, skills development, inclusion, and the green and digital transitions. We look forward to collaborating closely with both new Associate Members and to benefiting from their valuable expertise and perspectives.