Enhancing resilience against biological threats in the Nordic and Baltic countries (BIO-NORD)
The overall aim of this project is to strengthen the preparedness against the full spectrum of biological threats; from natural, accidental, to deliberate, by increasing awareness and best practices for effective and harmonised total defence strategies in the Nordic-Baltic region.
About the project
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Project period: 28.02.2026 - 30.10.2029 (Not started)
- Coordinating Institution: Norwegian Institute of Public Health
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Project Manager:
- Tone Kristin Bjordal Johansen, Infection Control and Preparedness
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Project Participants:
- Elisabeth Henie Madslien, Infection Control and Preparedness
- Anders Bekkelund, Infection Control and Preparedness
- Siri Laura Feruglio, Infection Control and Preparedness
- Kjetil Berg Veire, Communication
- Marius Dybwad, Total Defence
- Else-Marie Fykse, Total Defence
- Joanne Michelle Fernandez Ocampo, Total Defence
- Eskil Grendahl Sivertsen, Total Defence
Summary
The geopolitical climate surrounding the Nordic-Baltic region has deteriorated over the past years, introducing complex challenges impacting security and resilience within the region. The importance of building resilience in the whole-of-society, often referred to as a total defence approach, has been revitalised due to the changing security dynamics. Biological threats pose a profound risk, capable of causing human suffering, fear, societal disruption, and economic devastation. Sabotage or antagonistic use of biological agents is usually referred to as bioterrorism, and the use, or threat to use, biological agents is a potential method in hybrid warfare strategy. The advent of advanced life science technologies and synthetic biology has introduced new dimensions to these risks, accelerated by artificial intelligence and easy access to genomic data. A tense geopolitical situation including vast amounts of mis- and disinformation, proliferation of an “infodemic,” and cybersecurity concerns further adds to the complexity. The overall aim of this project is to strengthen the preparedness against the full spectrum of biological threats; from natural, accidental, to deliberate, by increasing awareness and best practices for effective and harmonised total defence strategies in the Nordic-Baltic region.To achieve this aim, our primary objective is to perform a comparative study in the Nordic and Baltic countries, focusing on identifying gaps, needs, and best practices regarding i) biological threat detection, ii) risk assessment, iii) risk mitigation, and iv) communication. The consortium includes partners from institutions and stakeholders across the Nordic and Baltic countries, specializing in biological preparedness and crisis communication. The project will improve regional cooperation, resilience, and preparedness against biological threats. It will strengthen detection capabilities, provide risk assessment frameworks, mitigation strategies, and strategies for crisis communication and mitigation of disinformation. Recommendations will assist decision-makers with informed strategies to enhance security and societal resilience in the Nordic-Baltic region.
Participants
The project is lead by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, in close collaboration with the consortium partners:
- Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (NDRE)
- Statens Serum Institut (SSI)
- LUT University (LUT)
- Vilnius University (VU)
- The Public Health Agency of Sweden (PHAS)
- Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)
Work packages
Work package 1: Detect
Task objectives are to compare and assess different approaches to detect usage of biological warfare or bioterror agents in the Nordic-Baltic region with special focus on rapid warning systems in a one
health and a total defence perspective. The scope will be various sources and methods of detection
such as healthcare systems and epidemiological surveillance systems.
- Lead: Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), Sweden
- Partners: The Public Health Agency of Sweden (PHAS), Sweden, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (NDRE)
Work package 2: Assess
Task objectives are:
- To identify and assess current trends in synthetic biology in combination with
other emerging technologies that might be misused (dual-use), thereby affecting the risk of intentional or accidental, incidents from biological agents. - Develop a common “best practice” risk assessment framework for biological threats, with accessible and easy-to-use procedures.
- Lead: Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH)
- Partners: Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (NDRE), LUT University (LUT), Finland
Work package 3: Mitigate
Task objectives are to map strategies and initiatives and identify best practices in the Nordic-Baltic
region aiming to mitigate the risk of biological threats. Results will be used to develop dual-use
awareness building programs, with a special focus on initiatives and training programs directed
towards academia in the region.
- Lead: Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Denmark
- Partners: Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (NDRE), The Public Health Agency of Sweden (PHAS), Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI). LUT University (LUT), Finland, Vilnius University (VU), Lithuania
Work package 4: Communicate
Task objectives are to investigate the integration of crisis communication and disinformation mitigation in the context of biological threats within total defence models of the Nordic and Baltic countries. Through comparative policy analysis and online data examination, the study aims to identify current practices, underlying value propositions, differences, and gaps. Grounded in institutional theory and crisis communication and management literature, the project will generate new knowledge on what kind of institutional work —cultural, technical, and political—is required to adapt the total defence model to account for disinformation mitigation. A key outcome is the development of practical tools, based on digital forensics and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), to support the operational integration of disinformation mitigation into total defence planning and to enhance the effectiveness of crisis communication for biological threat scenarios.
- Lead: LUT University (LUT), Finland
- Partners: Vilnius University (VU), Lithuania, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (NDRE)
Funding
The project has received funding from NordForsk.