The Nordic–Baltic Integration Lab in Palanga

How can municipalities, organisations and policymakers work together to create better integration outcomes? These questions were at the centre of the Nordic–Baltic Integration Lab in Palanga, where participants from across the region gathered to exchange experiences, test new ideas and develop practical solutions for integration.

A space for experimentation and collaboration

The Nordic–Baltic Integration Lab in Palanga brought together practitioners, policymakers and experts from across the region for a different kind of gathering. Instead of a traditional conference format, the Lab — organised as part of the FOR‑IN project — created a space for experimentation, co‑creation and practical exchange. Integration Norden participated throughout the programme.

Testing new approaches to integration

The day contained a Innovation Session, which introduced a range of promising initiatives under the theme Testing New Approaches to Integration. Participants shared concrete tools and methods that are already being used to improve integration outcomes in municipalities, workplaces and communities.  Some of the participating initiatives where Danish Red Cross, Queerstion Media, Open Nations and Saaremaa Municipality.

Cities and municipalities at the heart of integration

A particularly memorable part of the Lab was the Co‑creation Session on Cities as Drivers of Integration. Several important points emerged. First, while integration policies are often designed at the national level, their real‑world effects are carried out locally — in municipalities and cities. Second, across the region, highly committed municipal employees and volunteers work every day to improve the lives of newcomers. Third, initiatives such as the Welcome House in Stockholm — where different professional competencies are brought together to coordinate the early settlement period — show that integrated, cross‑disciplinary approaches can make a tangible difference.

Learning from Nordic experiences

The Lab was part of the For-In 2.0 project, that has had a few initiatives this year already.  In April, the FOR‑IN 2.0 initiative visited Finland for a study trip coordinated by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia. Participants explored Finnish integration practices through visits to Helsinki Central Library Oodi, the Nordic Welfare Centre, the Maritime Centre Vellamo and the Tampere Vocational College Tredu. The visit created new opportunities for adapting Finnish and Nordic approaches in Latvia.

Looking ahead, the Nordic–Baltic cooperation continues. Later this year, a regional conference will be held in Estonia on the theme Temporary Protection as the New Normal. Registration is available via the Nordic–Baltic Migration Conference 2026 page on Nordic Integration. Nordic-Baltic Migration Conference 2026: Temporary Protection as the New Normal – Nordic integration.

Strengthened through shared learning

Across all the activities, one message stood out clearly: integration is strengthened when we create spaces for shared learning, cross‑border collaboration and practical innovation. The Palanga Lab was an important step in that direction. Thank you to the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania, Diversity Development Group, Arts Agency Artscape and Lithuanian Reception and Integration agency for an inspiring day at the Baltic-Nordic Integration Lab, as part of Refugee Week in Palanga.