Haparanda - Tornio

Tornio and Haparanda are two cities situated one on each side of the Finnish-Swedish border which is marked by the Torne river.
Due to the absence of a physical border between the two cities they have been able to develop cooperation in daily life for many years. The populations communicate effectively without any language barrier and cross the border on a daily basis (work, recreation, shopping…).

The two cities have a relatively close economic profile based in the steel industry but they are working on a revitalisation of their economic and commercial sectors.

The Swedish and Finnish cities have combined numerous public services and facilities and the twin-city functions today as a truly integrated cross-border conurbation.


Territorial authorities concerned:
Sweden	Finland
• City of Haparanda	• City of Tornio


Historical and geographical context
Tornio and Haparanda are two cities situated one on each side of the Finnish-Swedish border which is marked by the Torne river. Due to the absence of a physical border between the two cities they have been able to develop cooperation in daily life for many years. The populations communicate effectively without any language barrier and cross the border on a daily basis (work, recreation, shopping…). The two cities have a relatively close economic profile based in the steel industry but they are working on a revitalisation of their economic and commercial sectors. The Swedish and Finnish cities have combined numerous public services and facilities and the twin-city functions today as a truly integrated cross-border conurbation.
Background of the move to cross-border cooperation
The cross-border cooperation between Tornio and Haparanda is one of the most successful examples in Europe. The two municipalities commenced their collaboration in the 1960s particularly in the fields of education and culture. Following the first positive results the local authorities expanded the cooperation to other sectors. Furthermore Tornio and Haparanda have signed numerous agreements regarding the combining of public services. A joint tourist office was created in 1998 and action has been taken jointly to improve the social integration of the inhabitants and develop the feeling of belonging to the cross-border area. In 1987 the two cities decided to formalise their cooperation by creating the cross-border association ‘Provincia Bothniensis’ and in 2006 the two cities acquired a joint name and logo ‘Tornio-Haparanda’.
Functioning of cross-border administration

Number of inhabitants:
Around 27,000 inhabitants of which 22,000 on the Finnish side.

The ‘Provincia Bothniensis’ structure has the role of coordinating cooperation on a political level, preparing joint projects and representing the two communities at an international level. This cooperation is equally supported at a regional and national level. The joint body includes an office, but it has no legal status. The office supports various thematic working groups.
Symbolic projects
Cross-border development project ‘On the border’: Launched in 1995, this project constitutes one of the most concrete results of cooperation between Tornio and Haparanda because it facilitated the creation of a new quarter astride the border (housing, commercial facilities…). A cross-border primary and secondary school: Haparanda is home to a school group made up of a primary and a secondary school whose pupils come from both cities. The pupils learn a second language – that of the neighbour – from their first year in primary school. Networking at a European level: Tornio/Haparanda constitutes a perfect example for many other border towns and cities participating in this project. The cross-border conurbation furthermore took part in the network of twin cities ‘City-Twins’, which itself is a partner of EUROMOT, European network of cross-border local authorities.


Conurbations