“I recently started working on the quantum project and have already become a huge fan. I really hope we can make something great out of it and build on that in our new programs,” Bergeland says.
Facts:
| Name: Stian Bergeland |
| Position: Senior Innovation Advisor |
| Age: 47 |
| Education: Journalism and Conflict Studies |
| Private: Lives in Oslo with his wife and two children aged 4 and 1,5 |
| Leisure: Chair of the housing cooperative board and at the moment busy writing a Master in Organization and Change |
| Fun Fact: Dreaming of having chickens |
Stian Bergeland started his role as Senior Innovation Advisor at Nordic Innovation in January. In his first few months, much of his work has focused on developing new innovation programs for 2025-2027. These programs will be launched on 3. April, and Bergeland will be part of a program dedicated to accelerating the green transition.
Coming from the Norwegian Environment Agency as coordinator of the Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy, the green transition and Nordic cooperation is an area which is already familiar to Bergeland. Applying for a position at Nordic Innovation was therefore an easy choice:
“I got to know Nordic Innovation through my work with the Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy. Nordic Innovation's work, especially within sustainability, made a great impression on me. So, when an opportunity came up, I had to give it a try,” Bergeland explains.
An international career within humanitarian aid, including time with the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has taken Stian Bergeland to countries such as USA, Columbia, Sri Lanka and Uganda before returning to Oslo after 11 years abroad.
Intermediary between businesses and authorities
After nearly three months in his new position, Stian Bergeland has gained a deeper understanding of the institution he has joined. He highlights Nordic Innovation’s role as a bridge between businesses and authorities as one of its key strengths:
“I think some of the biggest challenges facing the Nordic region are related to our different legislations. This is also the feedback we get from companies—they find it difficult to work across Nordic borders due to varying regulations,” Bergeland explains, before adding:
“I believe Nordic Innovation has an important role to play in providing information. We have the opportunity to shine a spotlight on these issues and raise awareness among authorities about the challenges businesses are facing.”
My dream is to have chickens. But I live in a small townhouse, which makes it a bit difficult.
– Stian Bergeland, Senior Innovation Advisor
When Stian Bergeland started his new role as Senior Innovation Advisor, his impression of Nordic cooperation and Nordic Innovation was reaffirmed:
“What has surprised me the most—or rather, what has been confirmed—is how much influence Nordic cooperation actually has. Let’s be honest, we are not an institution that most people on the street have heard of, but among those who do know us, we have an incredibly strong reputation,” Bergeland says, and continues:
“We carry significant weight both professionally and as an institution. That was already my impression while working at the Norwegian Environment Agency, but it has been fully confirmed since joining Nordic Innovation. People listen to us and see us as an important player. I think that’s really cool.”
A big welcome to the team, Stian!
