As 2025 comes to an end, we at NIVA take a moment to reflect on a productive and inspiring year. Together with our network of experts and partners across the Nordic region, we have continued to strengthen our mission of promoting healthy, safe, and sustainable working lives.

Hundreds benefit from NIVA courses

This year, NIVA organised more than 20 events, including onsite courses, online events, webinars, and conferences. NIVA held onsite courses in Gothenburg (SE), Sønderborg (DK), Reykjavík (IS), Oslo (NO), Malmö (SE), and Helsinki (FI).

In 2025 our events have attracted more than 1,289 participants from 58 different countries in total. Lecturers from 14 different countries contributed to NIVA’s events. Approximately 61 % of the participants came from one of the Nordic countries, 14 % from the Baltic States, 15 % from the rest of Europe, and 10 % from other parts of the world.

We are proud to see that the interest in NIVA’s activities continues!

Positive feedback from participants

We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants in both our onsite courses and webinars this year. Here is a selection of comments from satisfied course attendees:

“Excellent in terms of the possibility of meeting people from other countries and professional areas with the same interest in these subjects. The social moments, as well as the activities in the sessions, allow for a great deal of exchange and learning with classmates and teachers. I especially value the fact that the teachers are integrated and participate in the whole course.”

“The course was both exciting and educational, and I’m looking forward to continuing the work at home. The hotel and facilities were excellent and supported a great learning environment. The social program worked really well, and it was a pleasure to take part in. A big thank you to the course instructors, NIVA, and Nora for a wonderful course! I’m already looking forward to next time.”

“Excellent course, keep this format as it is an experience with unique opportunities. The fact that the speakers are integrated into the course allows the participants to create relationships between themselves and the speakers and to learn much more from the exchanges they make during the activities, lunches and socialising.”

Thank you to everyone who joined our courses, webinars, and seminars in 2025, and welcome to join us again in 2026!

Group work during a NIVA course in 2025.

NIVA is moving to a new office

In 2025, the NIVA team prepared for an exciting move. From January 2026, our new address will be Kaisaniemenkatu 13, located in the heart of Helsinki. Over the past months, we have inventoried decades of archived materials and are soon ready to begin a new chapter in NIVA’s history.

At our new location, we will be sharing office space with our friends at the Nordic Welfare Center, and the Nordic Culture Point is also located in the same building. We look forward to continuing strong collaboration with our Nordic colleagues and to welcoming our other partners to visit at the new office in the spring!

Work in progress! Picture taken in November 2025 in NIVA’s and NVC’s future conference room.

A diverse course program for 2026

At NIVA’s annual board meeting in Helsinki, we approved the course program for 2026 – a rich and diverse selection reflecting the latest research and best practices in occupational health and safety.

In the spring of 2026, we will offer courses such as:

• Ergonomic Work Exposures and their Relation to Musculoskeletal Disorders and Sickness Absence (February, Oslo, Norway)
• Innovative Methods for Studying Working Life Patterns (March, Helsinki, Finland)
• Workers in the Cold (March, Tromsø, Norway)
• Solutions for Identifying Migrant Worker Exploitation (March, Helsinki, Finland)
• Safety Culture and Safety Behaviors in Military Operations (April, Linköping, Sweden)
• Work Disability Prevention – Bridging Research and Practice (April, Stockholm, Sweden)
• Occupational Health Research Using Job Exposure Matrices (JEM) (April, Oslo, Norway)
• Effective Strategies for Healthcare Leaders: Enhancing Well-Being at Work (May, Stockholm, Sweden)
• Occupational Safety Promotion in the Construction Industry (May, Malmö, Sweden)
• Occupational Health in the Seafood Industry (June, Bodø, Norway)

Do also get acquainted with NIVA’s webinars in the spring of 2026:

• How to close the gender pay gap? Pathways to equal pay for work of equal value (27 January)
• Work Disability Prevention Around the World (4 February)

Explore the full program and register at niva.org

Submit course ideas for 2027 – deadline February 28th

Do you have an idea for an advanced course in occupational health and safety? NIVA invites experts to submit proposals for 2027, or to simply share ideas even if they are still in the planning stage.

We handle all course logistics – including bookings, participant communication, and on-site coordination – so you can focus on creating and delivering high-quality content. NIVA covers all expenses for course leaders and lecturers, including travel, accommodation, and meals.

Submit your proposal by 28th of February 2026 for courses planned in 2027 and beyond. For full details, visit niva.org

Thank you for 2025 – here’s to an inspiring 2026

Thank you all for being part of the NIVA network and for your valuable contributions throughout 2025.

We look forward to another year of learning, collaboration, and innovation in 2026!

Happy Holidays from the NIVA team