The food arena – for a stronger food sector in Norrbotten

Norrbotten has all the prerequisites for producing high-quality food – unique raw materials, strong food traditions and committed entrepreneurs. The Food Arena helps food processing companies to grow sustainably, increase their competitiveness and contribute to the vision of Norrbotten's food strategy Nära mat: "More Norrbotten food on the plates!"

The project is run by LTU Business together with Hushållningssällskapet Norrbotten-Västerbotten, Länsstyrelsen i Norrbotten and Luleå University of Technology. Together we strengthen small and medium-sized food companies in the region through targeted support, knowledge and contacts to create better conditions for sustainable growth and long-term competitiveness.

A joint effort for development

Many Norrbotten food entrepreneurs have the will to develop but limited resources to develop new products, business models and markets. The Food Arena acts as a hub and a meeting place where companies are supported to take the next step, whether it is to:

• Building a clearer business strategy
• Strengthening leadership
• Developing production and sustainability
• Finding routes to finance and investment

Through individual counselling, networking events and knowledge transfer, businesses get the tools and contacts they need to grow, on their own terms. The project also creates meeting places and events where businesses meet researchers, investors and other entrepreneurs to share experiences, get inspired and create new collaborations.

Pilot – an easy way in

To make it easy for companies to find the right support, there is a pilot function, coordinated by the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten. The pilot acts as the companies' route into the entire regional support system and helps to identify needs, match the right initiatives and connect companies to the right actor or project.

About the Food Arena:

• Project period: September 1, 2025 - September 1, 2028
• Total budget: 10 909 801 SEK
• Project owner: LTU Business
• Project partners: Hushållningssällskapet Norrbotten-Västerbotten, Luleå University of Technology, Länsstyrelsen Norrbotten

The project is financed by:

• EU funds (ERDF)
• Region Norrbotten
• Sparbanken Nord
• Längmanska Företagarfonden