• Population: 57.000
• Region: Indre Østfold Region (10 municipalities) is a subregion of Østfold County
• Area: 2200 sq km
• Government of the region: Østfold County Council

Co-partners:

• Aremark Municipality
• Askim Municipality
• Eidsberg Municipality
• Marker Municipality
• Rømskog Municipality
• Spydeberg Municipality

Østfold means “East Side” (of the Oslo fjord) On the opposite side there is Vestfold (“West Side”). Indre Østfold means “Inner Østfold”. The region’s history is full of national events, mostly caused by the close relation to Sweden and Oslo. The famous Swedish warrior King Karl XII was killed in Halden in 1718, after many years of war between Sweden and Norway. Sarpsborg is one of the oldest towns in Norway and was founded by King Olav in 1016.

The Glomma river and the Halden waterways have been important for the development of some of the most important industries and companies in Norway. Wood industry and papermills were established in Halden and Sarpsborg and upstreams forestry were important for the economic development in many smaller towns and settlements in Indre Østfold. Today there are 3 big hydro power stations in Glomma river. Askim municipality is hosting all of them but also other municipalities can benefit from taxes emerging from the energy plants.

Folkenborg is a significant historical place in Eidsberg as the Norwegian king Håkon Håkonsson was born there in 1204. Today there’s a museum with focus on the medieval period. Momarken horse racing arena is also a popular place for sport and exhibitions. Halden waterways with lakes, channels, boats and water locks are popular places to visit.

The border municipalities are also cooperating with neighbour municipalities in Värmland Region in Sweden. However, also other places are providing tourism services directed to the Oslo market based on the exploration of forests and farms. Today there are plans for investments in new hotels several places in the region and already there is already a popular Zen Spa resort established in Rømskog.

Østfold county has 2 highways running from Oslo to Sweden. Many politicians in the Indre Østfold Council are concerned about establishing a better train connection to Sweden in direction of Karlstad and further on to Stockholm. In addition there is a rather good express bus connection between Sweden and Oslo.

Momarken horse racing arena is also a popular place for sport and exhibitions. Every year there is Momarken festival (market days) with concerts and tivoli.

Another popular event is “Kraftfestivalen” a music festival in Askim every August. Halden waterways with lakes, channels, boats and water locks are popular places to visit. The border municipalities are also cooperating with neighbour municipalities in Värmland Region in Sweden and the Interreg project “Childrens Borderland” has been implemented. The new story and fantasy concept about the “Stubbefolket” has been created through this cooperation. However, also other places are providing tourism services directed to the Oslo market based on the exploration of forests and farms, recration and historical sites. Today there are plans for investments in new hotels several places in the region and already there is already a popular Zen Spa resort established in Rømskog.

The region is growing rather fast and especially the places closest to Oslo are popular places to settle down for commuters and for families. The economy is growing and many new jobs are created every. Immigration is the main driver behind this development and gives also many challenges connected to integration and multicultural communities.

The culture is historically connected to farming and forestry and manufacturing industry. The region does not have a big trade or service industry compared to many other regions in Norway. However, the regional identity is changing. The towns are becoming more urbanised and the immigration makes towns more multicultural. The big challenge is to avoid a situation where the towns and neighbourhoods are simply developing to suburban dwelling areas for Oslo and where the local engagement in community matters will be weakened.

The regional coat of arms is consisting of 4 arrows, meaning that many important roads are running through the region. The regional slogans are: “Indre Østfold – a different way” and “Close enough”

Current events that are held:

• Momarkedet (Mysen)
• Slusefestivalen (Ørje)
• Kraftfestivalen (Askim)