In June 2013, a unanimous Storting adopted Report no. 35 "Framtid med fotfeste" (Future with a foothold) (2012/2013), which presents a comprehensive policy for World Heritage in Norway. The White Paper prioritizes work areas such as the organization of World Heritage work at the sites, the development of management plans and the establishment of World Heritage Centres at all sites. The report therefore provides important guidelines for the national World Heritage work. For Vega, this has also led to the Ministry of Climate and Environment allocating NOK 14 million in 2013 for the construction of a World Heritage Center. This was followed up by Nordland County Council, Vega Municipality and sponsors. The last bit of funding was secured through the national budget for 2016 and the center was completed in 2019. Sponsors contributed to the financing of the exhibition.

In 2020, Meld. St. 16 (2019-2020) New goals in cultural environment policy. The report presents three new national goals for cultural environment policy, with an emphasis on engagement, sustainability and diversity. With this report, the government introduces the term "cultural environment" as a collective term. The term emphasizes the importance of wholeness and coherence, while at the same time making the connection to other climate and environmental policies clearer. Among other things, the government will prepare a new Cultural Environment Act and structure and coordinate conservation work so that the three national goals are achieved. The goals for world heritage sites as beacons in cultural heritage management are emphasized.

The World Heritage status has given Vega and Vegaøyan new opportunities through national, regional and local guidelines. The World Heritage area and the buffer zone have been prioritized in terms of projects and funding. This has resulted in a positive development locally. The number of birdwatchers and birds in the World Heritage Area has tripled, from five or six birdwatchers and 500-600 eiders in houses in 2000 to 21 birdwatchers and around 1,100 nesting eiders in the downy areas in summer 2020. Larger areas are also grazed and mown.

In total, more than NOK 250 million has also been invested in the Vega community in the years following World Heritage status. This includes a new school, a new nursing home, a kindergarten, road paving and tourism developments. As a knowledge, communication and visitor center, the World Heritage Center will make an important contribution to local value creation.

Through the World Heritage of Norway and the Vegaøyan World Heritage Foundation, the state party is requested to establish a separate world heritage fund for value creation based on the world heritage values. Such a national boost is necessary for the world heritage to be perceived as relevant in local community development.

The challenges

Both nationally and internationally, many World Heritage sites are under pressure. In 2017, Norway adopted a regulation on impact assessments to ensure that environmental and social considerations are taken into account during the preparation of plans and measures. In 2021 - 2022, a study was carried out on the boundary between conservation and sustainable development with regard to aquaculture; "Supplementary Impact Assessment of the Helgeland Coastal Plan for the World Heritage property of 'Vegaøyan - The Vega Archipelago'". The Supplementary Impact Assessment is a complete impact assessment in accordance with UNESCO's guidelines for follow-up of the World Heritage Convention and thus a follow-up of UNESCO's inscription text and the area's unique values.

An important challenge in the future will be to ensure continued national investment in world heritage through funds for safeguarding world heritage values and value creation based on world heritage. The Vegaøyan World Heritage Foundation and World Heritage Norway are calling for a World Heritage Fund that provides opportunities for greater investment.

Furthermore, incentive schemes are required to ensure that farmers/landowners and birdwatchers are given the opportunity to maintain and further develop the area's traditional activities of conservation and birdwatching, communication and local value creation. Continuous efforts must also be made to ensure recruitment to the eider bird tradition, measures to avoid disturbing traffic and to initiate management of larger areas.

Similarly, the emergency situation must be continuously assessed and followed up, so that if, for example, a point source oil spill occurs, there is a local contingency plan that can be implemented immediately.