The Ministry of trade and Industry is leading an inter-departmental steering group for the project Knowledge Acquisition - Growth in the North. Geographically this investigation covers the three northernmost counties (Nordland, Troms and Finnmark), with particular focus on coastal areas. The starting point for the definition is the updated management plan for the Barents Sea - Lofoten. This study comprises an interdisciplinary study in the form of an analysis of attractive communities and labour regions within the geographical area covered by the investigation. Further description follows in Appendix 1 to the contract, Award authority's description of the assignment.