fiftyoINFORMATION ABOUT 51 KOLARCTICn ENPI CBCe PROJECTS
Kolarctic salmon Modern research combined with traditional knowledge regarding coastal salmon fisheries | P. 16 Northern Beauty The thriving art scene in the High North | P. 28 51New Horizons The largest cultural project ever in the history of the Barents cooperation 5IFTYONE| P. 48 51
»It’s all about crossing borders. Everywhere.«
This Programme is funded by the EU, Finland, Norway, the Russian Federation and Sweden FIFTYONE: Produced by Kolarctic ENPI CBC programme in cooperation with Yours communication, Luleå Sweden. TEXT: Written by Maija Myllylä and Vanessa Cicero, Yours. COVER PHOTO: Connecting Young Barents PRINT: Lule grafiska AB, October 2015. THE KOLARCTIC ENPI CBC PROGRAMME
olarctic ENPI CBC is a financing instru- results are that young people participating in the ment for cross-border projects in the Cap project have opened their eyes and realised that of the North and Northwest Russia. Some- young people across borders are just like them. The thing that, in other words, will function as languages are different, but with the motivation to Ka flexible tool for public and private organisations understand and communicate with their that are willing to implement development projects neighbours anything is possible. The purpose across the borders between Finland, Norway, Russia of cross-border partnerships between and Sweden. The range of the projects and project regions and countries is to enhance and organisers is large, which makes it possible to create maintain the social, economic and and maintain cross-border partnerships, exchange environmental well-being of the area. ideas and develop them in a broader context be- When people learn about other tween sectors. The programme has been assessed people’s way of life, exchange experi- by experts and agreed upon by consensus between ences, plan the future together and politicians and officials from the various regions and carry out joint projects, they create participating countries. The programme has created goals that they can work on together. new partnerships, both at regional and national When we learn levels, which has resulted in a better exchange of about other knowledge and expertise. It has also created new cultures, we also FRANZ JOSEFS LAND ideas, working methods and networks, which in turn learn about our helps to create stability in the Barents Region. own identity, and that also makes The programme has resulted in better cultural the region rich understanding, and tolerance for different lifestyles and varied. and ways of working together. Examples of valuable
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ST. PETERSBURG ConEct – Economical, ecological 24 HEPUPRO – Sustainably warm, 38 and social construction environmentally cool | Sustainable buildings for the high north – cross Northern Beauty – Creative 28 border research and trade facilitation cooperation in visual arts Minimizing energy waste will save money in the long run. INFORMATION ABOUT 51 KOLARCTIC The history of the High North’s visual arts offers plenty ENPI CBC PROJECTS of intriguing tales. Co-TOUR – Exchange to whet the 42 appetite | SUMILCERE – Social The barents journal | Children 30 licence for mining Practice makes perfect 6 Marine environment in need 15 and youth at risk in the Barents Work, networking and education. Three key pillars that form The CETIA-project was launched in the Barents region with region | ENERU the foundation of the project known as Practice Future. the hope of combining scientific knowledge and methods Support for leaving care in 43 regarding the protection of the environment. Murmansk region and in Lapland Safer roads for users | Russian- 31 The project assists young people who are in alternative care Kolarctic salmon – Trilateral 16 Swedish council for the SME | and are moving on towards adulthood and independence. cooperation on the Atlantic salmon A school for all – development of inclusive education | Northern Database that reduces 44 ENVIMINE | Barents 18 cross-border cultural experts environmental threats Mediasphere – Pressing forward Focus on developing a database regarding the properties of oil ArctiChildren InNet – 32 transported through the Northern seas along the coast of Russia Polaris – New winds blowing on 19 Health in public space and Norway. the tundra | (BART) – Public-private Today’s youth have a huge presence in the digital playing field. This makes it important for health information to migrate out Connecting Young Barents Young 45 partnership in Barents tourism to the web. designers create friendship. An arena for musicians and photographers where they can Raising compentence 8 Development and cultivation of 20 Kolarctic sports and recreational 33 express themselves and create art while staying in the across borders local plant resources in the activities – Playing for fun makes Barents Region. Barents Logistics 2 has succeeded – Barents region everyone a winner. increased competence is a fact. Long distances make it difficult to meet other sport enthusiasts.
In sparsely populated areas tennis courts, skating rinks and Limited abilities – 21 Crossover crafts | BCBU+ | 9 swimming halls can also be few and far away. Unlimited potential Northern Cross-border Cultural The project wants to create conditions for improving the quality Experts | Social and Economic of life and to promote community integration. Breaking records in science 34 Development of Teriberka exhibition
Radiation safety in numbers 10 Radiation does not stop at national borders, it can travel long distances in the atmosphere and oceans.
YIE | ABCG Heritage 11 Food and health security in the 46 Norwegian, Russian and the Facts about Kolarctic 12 Finnish border regions: linking local industries – External influence on the Reindeer hide | Polar Wind | 14 Barents cultural co-production 22 inside Reconstruction of the Automobile network | The Barents Freeway | KITENPI –Meeting across 36 There are clear indications that people in some parts of the border crossing point Borisoglebsk | AgroPark Alakurtti | Barents low borders | Arctic agriculture border region between Norway, Finland and Russia are affected Reconstruction of the road Kanda- volume road management by industrial pollution. laksha-Alakurtti-Salla checkpoint Mine Health – A hazardous 37 NEDA – Indigenous tourism in 23 New Horizons – With a bright 48 occupation is made safer | TEC – horizon in sight the North | Salla-Gate – Business Mussels measure pollution levels and Tourism Partnership
4 5 The project is based on a simple arrangement, a network for open innovation that consists of students who are motivated in competing to design the best business solutions for international and local pilot companies. PRACTICE Simply put, to go from idea to action « PETER FISCHER MAKES PERFECT Making reality of dreams and visions requires both work, networking and education. Three key pillars that form the foundation of the project known as Practice Future.
ractice Future is a cross-border innova- The project’s background stems from the growth tion project in the Barents Region that problems experienced by many small and medium brings together education with industry. enterprises in the Barents Region. This is due to The project is aimed at business students limited resources for international marketing and Pas well as non-business students, and has attracted research regarding innovative business models, curious students from universities in three different products and services. One solution to overcome countries. The project also involves teachers from this obstacle would be a more open approach to different subject areas and universities. In order to innovation. Rural depopulation and the lack of deliver as much expertise as possible the teachers skilled cross-border labour represents a further utilise different study methods and standards for major challenge for development in the region. higher education. Practice Future is an experiment “The need to strengthen entrepreneurship as a Students had to deal with a variety of assignments accordance with various national education systems, in several layers regarding distance learning and key driver for regional development showed that the that were requested by the companies. case studies have become part of the curriculum. intercultural communication in cooperation with overall problem was the lack of higher education in “The specific objective of the project is to develop Thanks to the international form of the project, public institutions such as municipalities and local the area of entrepreneurship and innovation. Apart relevant business ideas and business models for students have learned to work and cope in a multicul- business organisations. The viewpoint for the exper- from small local businesses in the region, the target small and medium-sized local companies that have tural environment, and to solve problems along the iment is the assumption that it is necessary to leave groups of the Practice Future project consisted of limited resources for marketing and research.” way. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. the classroom to experience the challenges that one entrepreneurial students and academic and faces in the work place. Especially in areas such as administrative staff at the university as well as A further aim is to integrate local entrepreneurs, innovation and entrepreneurship. local intermediaries”, says Peter Fischer. representatives of business organisations and “The project is based on a simple arrangement, municipalities in the network. a network for open innovation that consists of Each semester, the international teams of students The project has helped participants to build in- PRACTICE FUTURE students who are motivated in competing to design have worked on assignments for their respective pi- dividual cross-border networks and has encouraged the best business solutions for international and lot companies. At first they work online for a period, young people to stay in the region. Many students Lead partner: Finnmark University College, Norway Partners: Murmansk Humanities Institute, Russia l also showed improved communication and creative local pilot companies. Simply put, to go from idea and then the businesses get together for a week-long Murmansk State Technical University l Petrozavodsk State to action”, says project manager Peter Fischer. workshop. These seminars have served as a platform skills, and an awareness of how to make it as an University l Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Finland for the evaluation and gradual improvement of the entrepreneur. The work has also led to a broader Total budget: 838 581 € functions and methods for entrepreneurial training. integration of entrepreneurship education, and in Priority: Economical and social development
6 7 KEEPING CRAFTS- A MORE OPEN MANSHIP ALIVE IS BCBU+ COUNTRYSIDE AN ART Development of international multidisciplinary Master’s degree The social and economic programs. From handicrafts to building development of Teriberka is about helping the village in the efforts technology. The project known Lead partner: University of Lapland, as Crossover Crafts is all about Finland to develop better living conditions developing creative venues Partners: Pomor State University, and to increase economic growth. for traditional live handicrafts. Russia l Arkhangelsk State Technical Teriberka is a rural locality in the University l Karelian State Pedagogical Much of what we made in Murmansk region of Russia where Academy l Murmansk State Technical RAISING COMPETENCE earlier times is of better quality the goal is to strengthen the over- University l Murmansk State Pedagogi- all cooperation between the Finn- than today’s designs. In order cal University l Northern State Medical to allow previous knowledge to University l Petrozavodsk State Univer- mark and Murmansk regions, as ACROSS find its way into society once sity l University of Oulu, Finland l Nar- well as to facilitate cross-border BORDERS again we therefore need crea- vik University College, Norway l Luleå business. The project has been tive meeting places. It is also University of Technology, Sweden partly focused on the develop- Total budget: 944 576 € valuable to more effectively ment of the fisheries sector in Priority: Economic and social Teriberka and the establishment help individuals build identities development and create the future. The of new small and medium enter- An unmatched combination has generated a better attitude and Crossover Craft project recre- prises based on local labour and opportunities. It has also put effort increased students’ interest. The project, Barents Logistics 2, has, ates, maintains, communicates and documents traditional into municipal cooperation on in other words, succeeded – increased competence is a fact. craftsmanship and guarantees issues such as agriculture and future knowledge and traditions. waste management. The project The project has worked towards has resulted in the re-establishment of coastal fisheries in Teriberka and he project involved a total of 600 partici- operations as well as transport and storage compa- a broad audience, and lets increased growth in the local small pants from various fields, as well as four nies. A milestone in the project was to widen the museums and historical cultural business sector creating new jobs international conferences and seminars knowledge of the Barents business among students, festivals serve as a centre for for residents as well as people out- of different types. Barents Logistics 2 is a and the interest from their side has definitely the development of traditional side the municipality. It has also Tproject developed with the aim of improving skills increased. methods and techniques. meant increased efficiency regard- in terms of effective planning and management of The project has resulted in three doctoral studies, ing cross-border agricultural activi- production and transport logistics. This is to help one at Luleå University of Technology and two at the ties and the better living conditions stimulate trade and exchange in the Barents Region. universities in Oulu, Finland. for the residents in the area can be The project has mainly targeted students in interna- Developing and broadening education and re- clearly seen. tional logistics, managers for logistics of companies, search has undoubtedly increased the understanding CROSSOVER CRAFTS regional authorities and development organisations. of efforts needed to find business opportunities in – ARTISANS WITHOUT BORDERS “It’s been a really fun project that has culminated the area of logistics. NORTHERN in a collaboration, which was not at all expected”, SOCIAL AND ECO- says Anders Segerstedt from Luleå University of Lead partner: Midt-Troms Museum, CROSS-BORDER Norway CULTURAL EXPERTS NOMIC DEVELOP- Technology. Partners: Ájtte, Swedish Mountain Company representatives and students from BARENTS LOGISTICS 2 Deepening the expertise and inte- MENT OF TERIBERKA and Sámi Museum and Arkhangelsk rest of teachers and students in the Finland and Sweden have participated in study trips Museum of Regional Lore, Russia. Lead partner: University of Oulu l Oulu Business School, culture of the neighboring country. Lead partner: Autonomous Non- In addition there are 15 different to the Murmansk region to visit local businesses. Finland Commercial Organization “Murmansk associates involved in the project. Staff from a logistics company in the Murmansk Partners: Luleå University of Technology, Sweden l Autono- Lead partner: Calotte Area Learning Regional Small & Medium Business Total budget: 1 215 983 € region have in turn visited Oulu and Kemi in Finland, mous non-commercial organization “Arctic Centre for Training Centre, Finland Support Agency, Russia Priority: People to people cooperation and the Luleå region to map out their business. of Oil and Gas Specialists”, Russia l Non-commercial partner- Partners: Moscow Academy of Entre- Partners: Finnmark fylkeskommune, and identity building “We saw that there was a need to organise the ship “Education, Innovation, and Scientific-Research Union preneurship Murmansk Branch, Russia Norway l Administration of Teriberka l Murmansk Industrial College l Sámi municipality, Russia l Association of exchange of experiences. It has certainly facilitated Socium+” l Association of Suppliers for Oil and Gas Industry “Murmanshelf” l The Ministry of Economic Development of Education Institute, Finland l Sodankylä Coastal Fishermen and farmers of cross-border business”, says Anders Segerstedt. the Murmansk region l Port of Kemi, Finland l Port of Oulu Institute l Inari municipality Murmansk l Shtokman Development Public Utility Total budget: 555 436 € AG l Kola Municipality Anders Segerstedt says that study trips to Total budget: 1 723 277 € Priority: People to people cooperation Total budget: 1 129 240 € Murmansk were organised twice with visits to port Priority: Economic and social development and identity building Priority: Economic and social development
8 9 BUSINESS WIZARDS OF THE FUTURE YIE – YOUNG INNOVATIVE Young Innovative Entrepreneurs project in the Barents region created a support system for aspir- ENTREPRENEURS RADIATION ing young business people. The goal was to make Lead partner: Lapland University of Applied Sciences, it more attractive for young entrepreneurs to stay Finland SAFETY IN and do business as well as to initiate projects in Partners: Norwegian Barents Secretariat, Norway l Edu- the Barents region. cation, Innovation, and Scientific-Research Union Socium+, National borders are no hindrance to the young Russia l Murmansk State Humanities University, Russia l NUMBERS Murmansk State Technical University, Russia l Murmansk people of today. Innovative ideas are international. The YIP project, managed by the Rovaniemi Humanities Institute, Russia l The North Chamber of Commerce and Industry l Rovaniemi University of Applied There are many potential sources of radioactive contamination in the Euro-Arctic University of Applied Sciences, facilitated cross Sciences, Finland l Länsipohjan yrittäjät ry, Finland l border contacts by organizing business camps and Association of Higher Education in Eastern Norrbotten, Region. Contributors include nuclear power plants, storage of nuclear waste and workshops. Business contacts were maintained Sweden contamination spread by ocean currents. Radiation does not stop at national and new contacts established using social media. Total budget: 1 365 939 € Priority: Economic and social development borders, it can travel long distances in the atmosphere and oceans. These factors The young entrepreneurs have vowed to con- tinue cooperation in order to reach the next level are among the main reasons that the national organizations responsible for of entrepreneurship. They strive to work towards a radiation protection must collaborate in emergency preparations. vigorous Barents Region in which young entrepre- neurs see more possibilities than obstacles.
ON COMMON GROUND
here is also demand The research results have proven valua- Geotourism was one of the fields of develop- The project produced study materials for school for up-to-date infor- ble, but the contacts established between ment in the ABCG Heritage project. The project’s students and information for people working in mation regarding the various institutions may be even more partners developed environmental education ma- education and in tourism as well as for local radioactivity and the important. The CEEPRA project terials and sustainable recreational use of nature decision makers. Geological and cultural herit- Tassociated risks. In the event provided ways to strengthen in tourism under the main themes of the project: age sites in the project region were surveyed, of an emergency in the Barents links between the Finnish Arctic biology, cultural heritage and geology. The and new networks were developed across the Sea region, all parties, including and Norwegian partners activities were located along the Green Belt of borders. neighbouring countries, must be able with partners from Russia. Fennoscandia, which is the chain of nature pro- to share the available information in a Common strategies for emer- tection areas along the national borders between consistent manner. Different equipment gency situations and routine Russia and Norway and Russia and Finland. and data systems might provide different monitoring were developed. results regarding danger levels. Cross-border cooperation in radiation The Collaboration Network on Euro Arctic preparedness makes everyone safer. ABCG HERITAGE Environmental Radiation Protection and Research Arctic Biological, Cultural and Geological heritage. (CEEPRA) was established to respond to these issues. The work was very practical. Project associates Lead partner: Metsähallitus (Lapin luontopalvelut), Finland collected samples from Finnish Lapland, Finnmark, CEEPRA Partners: Geological Survey of Finland, Northern Finland Office, Finland l Centre for Economic Development Transport Troms and the Kola Peninsula as well as from the Collaboration Network on EuroArctic Environmental Radiation Protection and Research. and the Environment l Geological Institute of the Kola Barents Sea. The results provided information Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia regarding the occurrence of radioactive material in Lead partner: Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, l Lapland State Natural Biosphere Reserve, Russia l State the Arctic environment and food chain. There was Finland Nature Reserve Pasvik, Russia l Office of the County Governor special focus placed on analysing natural products Partners: Murmansk Marine Biological Institute of the Kola of Finnmark, Norway l Finnmark county authority l Bioforsk widely used by the population, such as berries, Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia Soil and Environment Svanhovd l Nordland Research Institute mushrooms, fish and reindeer meat. l Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority / Environmental Total budget: 1 820 229 € Unit, Norway l Finnish Meteorological Institute, Arctic Priority: Common challenges The project also studied long-term effects of po- Reseach Center/Sodankylä, Finland l Pöyry Finland Oy tential nuclear accidents on the region’s indigenous Total budget: 987 069 € population, reindeer husbandry, tourism and other Priority: Common challenges industries.
10 11 TOTALLY MALES UNDER FEMALES UNDER 51 53% 29 YEARS OF AGE 47% 29 YEARS OF AGE 33 420 APPROVED PARTICIPATED IN KOLARCTIC CONNECTION PEOPLE PARTICIPATED 4 PROJECTS 12 COUNTRIES REGIONS
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R u s s 1.049.682 km ia ) ( 2 12 14 2 ) a ( 732 200 km (Russia) Russi 204 437 km2 (Norrbotten, Lapland) 112 945 km2 (Northern Norway) 150 Km 3 100 of riverwater has been researched e.g. for Heavy metals As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, YOUNGSTERS HAVE PARTICIPATED Ni, Zn, Ba, and BCP, and the status of River IN PROJECT ACTIVITIES Pearl Mussel 1 500 000 Km 801 of sea has been researched e.g. its radio- ecological status, harmful substances ENTERPRISES HAVE PARTICIPATED IN such as oil spill, and the status of PROJECT ACTIVITIES migrating Atlantic Salmon OULU
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ST. PETERSBURG REINDEER HIDE – QUALITY HIGH RECONSTRUCTION Better quality raw reindeer hides for processing and reduced OF THE AUTO- proportion of wasted hides. MOBILE BORDER MARINE
Lead partner: Lapin Nahka Oy, Finland CROSSING POINT Partners: ALEX Co. Ltd, Arkhangelsk, Russia l Autonomous Non-Profit BORISOGLEBSK ENVIRONMENT Organisation Information-Research Centre Yasavey Manzara, Nenets AO, Russia Total budget: 387 520 € Lead partner: Federal Agency for Priority: Economic and social development the Development of the State Border facilities of the Russian Federation Partners: Northern Dimension Partnership on Transport and Logistics / Nordic Investment Bank, Finland l IN NEED The Federal State Public Institution Rosgranstroy, Russia Current and planned offshore Total budget: 27 280 000 € Priority: Large scale project activities in the Barents region makes the need for innovation vital. Ideas that help to monitor the coastal RECONSTRUCTION environment and develop new OF THE ROAD technologies to combat pollution KANDALAKSHA- ALAKURTTI-SALLA are sorely needed. CHECKPOINT Reconstructing the highway linking he CETIA project was launched in the The industrial development occurring in the Arctic Kandalaksha and Alakurtti to the Barents region with the hope of combining shows that there is need of a major knowledge bank Salla border checkpoint and the EU. scientific knowledge and methods regard- regarding how to tackle environmental problems, Lead partner: State Regional Official ing the protection of the environment. The and there are also the means to apply interdiscipli- Establishement for Management of Taim was to let innovation and expertise help to deal nary approaches to the issue. Roads of the Murmansk region, with the challenges of offshore development in the “Overall, the results have been very positive. Most Murmanskavtodor, Russia sensitive marine environment of the Arctic. It is also of the data resulted in scientific work at or beyond Partners: Murmansk Centre of Project a known fact that technological innovation regard- the expected levels, and the possibilities for further Management, Russia l Salla munici- ing oil spills has been low priority in recent decades, cooperation have been identified by the partners. pality, Finland l Lapland’s Centre for Economic Development, Transport and something CETIA is striving to change. The project In short, a platform for future projects has been the Environment resulted in an integrated approach, with specific created”, says Are Sydnes. Total budget: 2 228 440 € work packages on environmental science, technol- Priority: Large scale project ogy, innovation and education. Special focus was directed to oil discharge, monitoring of coastal envi- ronments as well as safety training and education on environmental issues. It also concerned bioremedia- tion, a process of using biological organisms to solve CETIA environmental problems. Coastal Environment, technology and innovation in the Arctic. “Work has been both challenging and reward- POLAR WIND ing. In a project involving nine partners and eight Lead partner: University of Tromsø, Norway Developing the energy supply system of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug assignments, there has been a need for a high degree Partners: Murmansk State Technical University, Russia l by transferring from fossil fuels to alternative local energy sources. of coordination between the partners and funding, Murmansk Marine Biological Institute of the Kola Science particularly regarding the reporting procedure. Center l Murmansk State Humanities University l Knipovich Lead partner: North-Western United Power Generating Company, Russia On the other hand, the project has helped to identify Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanog- Partners: Construction, Housing and Communal Services Department of Nenets raphy l Arkhangelsk State Technical University l Institute of a number of common research interests and capa- AO, Russia l Non-profit Partnership “North-West Funding Service”, Russia l Finnish Industrial Ecology Problems in the North l Luleå University of Meteorological Institute, Finland bilities between partners who have previously Technology, Sweden Total budget: 2 300 000 € had limited cooperation”, says project manager Total budget: 1 916 268 € Priority: Large scale project Are Sydnes. Priority: Common challenges
14 15 One of the aims of the project was to ascertain the Farmed salmon that escape from cage environ- migratory patterns of different salmon stocks re- ments can threaten the diversity of the wild salmon garding time and space along the coastal lines of the in the Kolarctic area. During the project it was possi- TRILATERAL COOPERATION Barents and White Seas. ble to study the numbers and proportions of escaped “The question is important for management of salmon in the different parts of the North-Norwegian ON THE salmon stocks, because almost 200 stocks migrate coast. The impact of climate change, i.e. sea tempera- ATLANTIC SALMON simultaneously in the outer coastal areas. Managing tures on some salmon stocks was also studied. In all, fisheries of these mixed stocks pose a real challenge over 20 scientific reports were produced. for the authorities in charge.” “Our project was a great one because we had a The Kolarctic Salmon project (2011–2013) was established to combine The researchers mapped the genetic structure of real challenge to solve, and with the help of Kolarctic the salmon in the project area. They also provided an ENPI CBC funding we were able to do so. We are modern scientific research with traditional knowledge regarding overview of the salmon resources in terms of salmon looking forward to the new Kolarctic CBC programme coastal salmon fisheries. The goal was to create better methods for catches. The results are available for the relevant period, because we are ready to prepare an even authorities in each country when they discuss future more extensive project”, Tiia Kalske says. implementing future sustainable management of the joint Atlantic salmon management. “We hope that we can continue to cooperate salmon stocks in the Barents region. “It is important to have scientifically sound and with at least parts of the consortium we built, and jointly aggregated data. Project results, for example in a new project to look deeper into the traditional show that the number of Russian salmon caught in knowledge of salmon and local socio-economy.” “The project constellation was unique. We had The geographical area of the project is enormous, the coastal fisheries off Norway are geographically representatives from management as well as re- stretching from the Lofoten in the west to Pechora more limited than earlier assumed”, Tiia Kalske searchers from various disciplines representing all River in the east. The amount of data collected is explains. three involved countries (Norway-Russia-Finland), unprecedented. and fishermen from both the White Sea and north- “Our geneticists say that in regards to both ern Norway, all working together for the same goals”, geographical area and number of samples, this is says project coordinator Tiia Kalske from the Office the most comprehensive genetic study of salmon of the Finnmark County Governor. conducted so far.” Researchers visited over 200 rivers to collect Managing a project in three countries is no easy samples of juvenile fish. Some 90 fishermen collect- task. But Tiia Kalske feels that the work ran surpris- ed samples of adult salmon from coastal waters. ingly smoothly. “Without the local fishermen we could never “The researchers were enthusiastic; their goal have compiled the basic data we now have. Many of was to produce reliable scientific results. Of course them have fished the waters since their early teens, there are always differences in working cultures, they know where the fish will be.” but everything went fine because everyone shared a common purpose.”
KOLARCTIC SALMON Trilateral cooperation on our common resource; The Atlantic salmon in the Barents region.
Lead partner: Office of the Finnmark County Governor, Norway Partners: Institute of Marine Research Department, Norway l Norwegian Institute of Nature Research / Dept. of Arctic Ecology l The Knipovitch Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography, Russia l University of Turku Our project was a great one because / The Kevo research station, Finland l Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute / River Teno Fisheries Research we had a real challenge to solve, and Station with the help of Kolarctic funding we Total budget: 3 092 729 0 € Priority: Common challenges » were able to do so « TIIA KALSKE
16 17 ENVIRONMENTALLY PRESSING FORWARD NEW WINDS BLOWING ON THE TUNDRA SAFE MINE CLOSURE Journalists working in the Kolarctic region have a long history of Abandoned mines can pose cooperation in the Barents Press network, but changing times call great environmental hazards. for new initiatives. The Barents Mediasphere project carried out These problems can be pre- a survey to find out if journalists working in Finnish, Norwegian, vented by proper planning, and Swedish and Russian Barents regions were interested in cross- that requires accurate, detailed border issues. As it turned out, indeed, they were! information regarding the mine To strengthen the flow of information across borders, Barents and its surroundings. Mediasphere arranged training courses and informational briefings The ENVIMINE project has for media professionals. For the first time, the project brought created an updated database together editors-in-chief from all four Barents countries to share of mine sites and developed best practices and to learn how neighbours have solved the multilateral cooperation be- challenges brought forth by the transformation of the media tween different environmental market. Personal contacts on the editorial management level are management organizations in necessary, and the editors are planning to continue their meetings. Finland, Russia and Sweden. Journalists coming from outside the region can now find The organizations exchanged invaluable practical information in the Barents Media Guide at joint experiences and scientific www.barentsinfo.org/guide. knowledge using the best available technology. The project focused on two BARENTS MEDIASPHERE closed mines - the Laver mine The Nenets Autonomous Okrug is a vast and Substituting diesel fuel with an alternative energy that produced iron sulphide ore Lead partner: Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland, Finland sparsely populated area. For energy supply the resource also reduces the risks of soil and water in Norrbotten and the Umbozero Partners: State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company “Murman”, Russia l region is dependent on fuel oil brought in from contamination. mine with loparite ore and rare The Norwegian Barents Secretariat, represented by BarentsObserver, Norway Total budget: 899 730 € other regions. The project, Polar Renewables: Polar Renewables has raised public awareness metals in Murmansk region. Priority: People to people cooperation and identity building Independent Energy Supply – POLARIS, focused regarding renewable energy issues. The know- The still operating Kemi chrome on increasing the use of renewable energy ledge and technologies related to wind energy, and mine in Western Lapland was sources in the region, especially wind energy. its use in harsh climates, has also improved. also studied as part of the project. The surrounding soil, surficial deposits, ground water and surface water were studied, POLARIS as well as the tailings and waste Polar Renewables: Independent Energy Supply – POLARIS. rock areas looking for potential releases to the environment. Lead partner: Autonomous non-commercial organization “Nenets Energy Efficiency and Cleaner Production Center”, Nenets Autonomous district, Russia The project drafted recommen- Partners: Northwest United Power Generating Company, Narjan-Mar Branch, Russia l FCG Finnish Consulting Group Oy, dations for remedial plans of Finland the closed mines including envi- Total budget: 3 072 989 € ronmental monitoring. Priority: Economic and social development
ENVIMINE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN BARENTS TOURISM (BART) Cross-border cooperation of tourism stakeholders in the Barents region. Lead partner: Geological Survey of Finland, Northern Finland office, Lead partner: Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences, Finland Finland Partners: Murmansk State Pedagogical University, Russia l Murmansk State Technical University l Ministry of Economic Partners: Mining Institute of the Development of Murmansk Region l Monchegorsk Town Authorities l Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sport and Tourism of Kola Science Center of the Russian Arkhangelsk Region l Northern (Arctic) Federal University l Arkhangelsk Regional Non-Governmental Fund of Public Initiatives Academy of Sciences, Russia l “Perspektiva” l Luleå University of Technology, Sweden l Barents Institute, Norway l University of Lapland, Finland l Regional Luleå University of Technology, Sweden Council of Lapland l Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences l Perspektiva, Arkhangelsk, Russia Total budget: 628 586 € Total budget: 921 524 € Priority: Common challenges Priority: Economic and social development
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KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY SEEING THE FORCES FOR NATURE POSSIBILITIES
Timothy, fescue, bilberry and angelica. These have been the musical instrument lessons, dance training and much more. This has been very important for the main focus of the project designed to cherish our sustainable participants.
natural resources. A number of concerts and performances have also taken place during the project. The event entitled “The dark café” was arranged. This allowed people n the Kolarctic region there is a very limited cultivation and production of bilberries and angelica, without eyesight problems to experience what it is availability of crop plants adapted to the speci- where the methods of cultivation and semi-cultivation like not to be able to see. Participants were given fic growing conditions of the north. Plant of the natural stocks have been researched. blindfolds and spent an entire evening together in material suited for southern latitudes “The work has delivered better results total darkness. During the evening there were also Idoes not grow well in northern climates. This than expected, we have achieved what we several musical numbers performed by people with is definitely a limiting factor for fodder crops. planned. The level of coopera- some form of disability. “Knowledge of cultivation, genetic diversity tion between the parties has Something else that has elicited much laughter and production technology are necessary to been different in the two sepa- and smiling faces are the dance courses that lasted allow a wider use of these resources. The rate parts of the project. Work throughout the project, and that have been very project will increase the utilisation of on seed production has involved important for the health of people with disabilities. existing natural resources in the Barents all parties and required cooperation “In a gym we held lessons in classical ballroom Region and create new opportunities for at all phases. Work with bilberries dancing for the blind, where they had the opportu- natural products in the region by making more and angelica has been carried out nity to learn to dance the waltz, tango, and rock and natural resources available to producers and in Norway and Finland, but all roll. In addition to straight posture and coordination consumers”, says project manager Eivind Uleberg. parties have participated in the training it has resulted in much better self-confi- The project Eivind Uleberg is talking about is planning and implementa- dence”, says project manager Irina Ushakova. called, Development and cultivation of local plant tion of the operations”, says To create conditions for improv- Other main activities focused on the develop- resources in the Barents Region, and has involved Eivind Uleberg. ment of services for the disabled, and the exchange partners from Norway, Finland and Russia. The goal ing the quality of life and to of knowledge, skills and training methods. Partners of the project was to increase the production of food promote community integration. from Sweden, Russia and Finland took up joint plans and other products based on sustainable natural to influence society and to change negative attitudes resources in the Barents Region. That was the case with Limited against the integration of the disabled. “We wanted to preserve and use genetically Abilities – Unlimited Potential. adapted plant resources for agricultural production in the North. In addition, the project has focused on stronger cooperation and social development he project caters to people with various between research institutions in the field of north- DEVELOPMENT AND disabilities, as well as the elderly. Organisa- ern agriculture.” CULTIVATION OF LOCAL PLANT tions and authorities working with people RESOURCES IN THE BARENTS with disabilities were also included in the LIMITED ABILITIES – The project has had two main focus areas. Partly a REGION Ttarget group for the project. By offering equal oppor- UNLIMITED POTENTIAL development of seed stocks of local grass varieties, tunities to education, culture, vocational guidance, timothy and fescue from northern Russia, where the Lead partner: Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and employment, sports and health promotion programs Lead partner: The Regional Public Organization of the goal was to get the varieties approved to qualify on Environmental Research the prospect was to improve the lives and social Disabled “Nadezhda”, Arkhangelsk, Russia Partners: Branch of State Research Institution “State Partners: Svefi Academy, Swedenl Peräpohjolan opisto, the official list of Russian seed varieties. Research Center of the Russian Federation” l MTT situation of the target group. In order to achieve the Finland l The Murmansk State Regional Special Library for The hope was to develop models and methods Agrifood Research Finland objectives, a number of activities were organised. the Blind, Russia for the production of seeds for Russian farmers. The Total budget: 1 024 992 € Among these were training on personal computers Total budget: 711 171 € other main element of the project has focused on the Priority: Economic and social development for the blind, handicrafts, health and wellness, Priority: People to people cooperation and identity building
20 21 INDIGENOUS TOURISM IN NENETS BARENTS CULTURAL CO-PRODUCTION AGROPARK The Nenets word “néda” means “a path”, for the migration of NETWORK ALAKURTTI – reindeer to new pastures. The Kolarctic ENPI CBC project is the Activating and seeking models for long-term cultural cooperation across THE MODEL OF first that involved the indigenous population of the borders. CROSS-BORDER the Nenets Autonomous District. The overall goal was to estab- Lead partner: Norrbotten Regional Museum, Norrbotten County Council, Sweden COOPERATION lish a path that led to ethnic, ethical and ecologically sustainable Partners: Arts Council of Lapland, Finland l Aine Art Museum l Department of Sustainable social and economic tourism. Culture in the Regional Government of Murmansk region, Russia development of Alakurtti achieved BUSINESS BEYOND Tourism is still a new industry in the Nenets region, unlike through cross-border cooperation Total budget: 171 645 € BORDERS Finnish Lapland where tourism has been an important part of Priority: People to people cooperation and identity building with Finland and Sweden. the economy for decades. The Sami Education Institute in Inari Lead partner: Murmansk Regional Joining forces is always a established the NEDA project with the Yasavey Manzara Informa- Small and Medium Business Support good way of becoming strong- tion Center to create, develop and market culture and package tour Agency, Russia er in the face of tough interna- services designed from the region’s indigenous population’s own Partners: Salla municipality, Finland tional competition. Salla Gate perspective. l Proagria Lappi l Rural business – Business and Tourism Part- During the project various schools, as well as present and future Development Ltd, Sweden l Committee of agribusiness and food market in the nership, brought together the entrepreneurs, visited tour operators, developed tourist packages Murmansk region, Russia l Administra- East Lapland municipalities in and built networks to create unique, authentic cultural experiences tion of Kandalaksha district munici- Finland, and the Kandalaksha, for travellers. pality l Village settlement Alakurtti of Tersky and Kovdor districts and Kandalaksha district l State regional cities of Apatity and Kirovsk on agricultural enterprise “Tuloma” l the Russian side of the border. State Department of Employment Service of Murmansk region l All partners hoped to speed up Department of Agribusiness and and encourage economic activi- veterinary of Nenets AO ty in their respective areas. Total budget: 2 798 928 € The focus of the project was Priority: Economic and social on two key industries: tourism development and supporting services for mining. The project built a sup- port network to help the com- panies in the partnership area THE BARENTS FREEWAY BARENTS LOW to participate in mega projects VOLUME ROAD in the Barents region, particu- Lead partner: Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the MANAGEMENT larly in the mining sector. Environment, Finland Testing and establishing new In the tourism industry, co- Partners: County Administrative Board of Norrbotten, Sweden l Troms County solutions for maintenance of low operation was fostered by solid Council, Norway l Finnmark County Council l Nordland County Council l Regional traffic volume roads. Council of Lapland, Finland l Murmansk Regional Ministry of Transport and investments and by improving
Communication, Russia l Murmansk Avtodor l Transport Agency of the know-how and joint market- Lead partner: AvtoDor Consulting Arkhangelsk region l Arkhangelsk Avtodor ing of tourism services in the Ltd, Russia Total budget: 1 400 000 € Partners: State organization “Arkhan- project areas. Priority: Common challenges gelskavtodor”, Russia l State organi- sation ”Murmanskavtodor” l Lapland Centre for Economic Development, SALLA GATE Transport and the Environment, Finland Total budget: 399 567 € Business and Tourism Partnership. NEDA Priority: Economic and social Lead partner: The Local Federation of development Culture Tourism Project of the Indigenous Peoples of the North. East Lapland, Finland Partners: Kirovsk town, Russia l Kan- Lead partner: The Sami Education Institute, Finland dalaksha district municipality l Kovdor Partners: Yasavey Manzara NGO Information and Research Center, Russia l district l Apatity town l Terskiy district The Department of Culture of Nenets Autonomous District l The Department l Kemijärvi Development Ltd, Finland of Indigenous People in Nenets Autonomous District l NaryanMar Social Total budget: 2 979 670 € Humanitarian College l Inari Event Lapland, Finland Priority: Economic and social Total budget: 682 503 € development Priority: Economic and social development
22 23 Similarities conquer differences. ConEct was inspired by a dream of a better cooperation across borders. This project HIGH QUALITY WHEN sends young students directly into working life. BLURRING THE LINES he purpose was to increase knowledge Students have spent some time at the school but they and understanding of respective career have also travelled with other Swedish pupils to their development systems, compare them and internships where they have performed the same jointly plan and further develop vocational tasks as the employees of the company”, says Kari Teducation. Also to bring education closer, reduce Kenttämaa, project manager for Sweden. barriers and facilitate flexibility for students and He describes how they mainly focused on building workers in the Barents Region. technology education. “We wanted to improve the quality and quantity It is important that students not only get to see of students and experts who move across borders by the cultural, but also technical differences between developing and testing such a system in practice, and countries. We have also placed great emphasis on by establishing an active and committed network”, highlighting the girls at internships. In percentage, says project manager Pia Nikkinen, in charge of the there are smaller numbers of girls participating in project. the vocational training available. We want that to Another important goal of the project is to change. establish, strengthen and develop cross-border net- works and business relationships among small and The main priority for the ConEct project is to medium enterprises in the Barents Region. Small and focus on economic and social development. Young medium-sized enterprises are involved in all project graduates are trained to meet the requirements of activities such as partner meetings and expert visits working life, which helps the work force throughout to schools. They share the goal of improving coop- the program area. eration between career development programs and “It should be easier to work across borders. When working life. we sent the students to Murmansk for a two week “The companies can offer students tailored educa- internship, they did not really understand the reason tion while training skilled labour based on their own at first, but later on they questioned why they had needs and the profession”, says Pia Nikkinen. to return home. This is proof of the ConEct project’s success”, says Kari Kenttämaa. Language and cultural training has also been given high priority with the goal of improving language and cultural knowledge skills of students and experts alike. “At this stage of the project, we have found that the most effective ways to increase motivation and inter- est in language learning and sustainable cooperation CONECT – across borders is to have personal experiences and ECONOMICAL, ECOLOGICAL encounters face to face”, says Pia Nikkinen. AND SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION On May 26, 2012, the project began at Björknäs High School in Boden, Sweden. Since that time Lead partner: Lapland Vocational College, Finland much has happened. Students have practiced lan- Partners: Björknäs High School, Sweden l Utbildning Nord l guages with each other in Murmansk, Kautokeino, Wesab AB l BPAB | Murmansk Building College, Russia l Ro- sarktikstroj l Building Company VEK l Samisk Videregående Rovaniemi and Boden. A fantastic solution for the Skole og Reindriftskole, Norway l ADC – Arctic Drilling exchange of experiences. Company, Finland l Betroc Oy l Napapiirin Betoni Oy “We have shown what Boden has to offer, and have Total budget: 2 055 101 € spread the news about the Swedish school system. Priority: Economic and social development
25 ABCG heritage OLAVI KOROLAINEN The Gap, 1970.
can be seen in a beautiful book that is available to the 1970s and the 1980s” visited the Kemi Art the public on the project website. Museum, the Art Gallery in Luleå, the Sami The project brought together researchers and art Center for Contemporary Art in Karasjok and the historians, and also art museums and other visual Murmansk Regional Art Museum and delighted arts institutions. They took on the task of studying the audiences. visual art in the region and organized a Barents-wide During the project, a network was formed, exhibition tour on the basis of the art historical which promises fruitful cooperation between research carried out during the project. In 2014, the arts institutions in the Barents region. CREATIVE COOPERATION exhibition “Northern Beauty – Barents Visual Arts in
1 IN THE NORTHERN BEAUTY: VISUAL ARTS BARENTS VISUAL ARTS IN 1970–1980
Lead partner: Faculty of Art and Design, University of Lapland, Finland Partners: Kemi art museum, Finland l Arts council of Lapland l Murmansk art museum, Russia l Konsthallen Luleå, Sweden l Sami Daiddaguovddas/ Sami Artists Center, Norway Total budget: 617 498 € Priority: People to people cooperation and identity building Murmansk may not be Paris, and Luleå is certainly not New York. But to 3 the surprise of some people there is a thriving art scene in the high north. The history of the area’s visual arts offers plenty of intriguing tales.
orking so far away from the national themselves in the 1970s. In the 1980s artist coopera- 2 capitals, and the so called elite of the tion increased, art clubs were bustling with activity art world, is not necessarily a dis- and the number of skilled artists grew. When the advantage. Many times it can create official Barents cooperation began in 1993, the Wunique opportunities for visual artists and other regional collaboration in the field of arts had already professionals in the field of art. When colleagues are started to dwindle.” few and far between, it is natural to look for contacts and relationships beyond local borders. The project, known as Northern Beauty, The Bar- The remote location and the unique Arctic ents Visual Arts in the 1970s and the 1980s received landscapes have influenced the artists and it shows funding by the Kolarctic ENPI CBC programme to in their work. The styles are diverse. Half a century establish cooperation between arts and cultural in- 4 ago landscape paintings of the area often depicted stitutions across the Barents region. The cooperation barren northern nature or mountain and sea views. network in the project included the Faculty of Art Russian artists also painted built-up urban land- and Design at the University of Lapland as the lead scapes. However, in the 1970s, Scandinavian artists partner, the Regional Office of the Arts Promotion were began to use more abstract expression. Centre in Lapland and the Kemi Art Museum, the “There was a lot of exhibition activity in the Art Gallery in Luleå, the Sami Center for Contempo- mid-1970s, but the exhibitions were mainly local or rary Art in Karasjok and the Murmansk Regional national”, explains Tuija Hautala-Hirvioja, professor Art Museum. of art history at the University of Lapland. There has not been a written, thoroughly resear- “Town twinning, art clubs and Calotte exhibitions ched common history of visual arts in the North. The helped to establish links between the artists work- search for Northern Beauty carried out pioneering 1/ ANATOLY A. SERGIENKO The Songs of Northern Coast, 1975–1976. 2/ VASILI G. BARANOV Reidar Särestöniemi Portrait, 1969. ing in the North Calotte area. Networking across work and wrote the partly forgotten history of cultur- 3/ EERO KUMPULA Suvanto Village, 1972. 4/ ALVAR JANSSON Hunter on the Mountain, 1985. national boundaries, Sámi artists also organized al contacts in the Northern Calotte area. The results
28 29 INTERNATIONAL KEEPING THE HEAT IN SCIENCE JOURNAL FOR A SCHOOL FOR ALL – CHILDREN AND Heating homes and public build- SAFER ROADS FOR USERS The main purpose is to eliminate the problems resulting from poorly THE BARENTS REGION YOUTH AT RISK IN ings using less energy would DEVELOPMENT THE BARENTS maintained roads, and the differences between the countries regarding OF INCLUSIVE help meet future demands and accident risks for road users in the EU and the Barents Region. The project “Barents Jour- REGION mitigate climate change. The EDUCATION nal” saw the birth of the first project ENERU, Efficient Energy Lead partner: ADC Ltd (OOO AvtoDor Consulting), Russia Inclusion in schools and teacher academic journal concentrating Lead partner: Regional Office for Management in the Barents Partners: Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environ- education, focusing on learners Children, Youth and Family Affairs, who are vulnerable to exclusion. on the Barents region. The pro- Region, developed cooperation ment, Finland l Salla municipality l Luleå University of Technology, Sweden l ject debates aspects affecting Northern Norway Murmansk Regional Road Administration Murmanskavtodor”, Russia l Arkhangelsk Partners: Government of the Arkhan- in the field of energy efficiency. Lead partner: University of Lapland, regional development, and Regional Road Administration ”Arkhangelskavtodor” l Murmansk City Administra- gelsk region, Russia l Government of Research, education, business tion l Non-commercial organization “Project Management Center” / ANO “PMC” Finland popularizes research results by the Murmansk region l Government of and local administration was Total budget: 1 800 000 € Partners: Northern Arctic Federal sharing topical scientific news. the Republic of Karelia l University of represented by project part- Priority: Common challenges University, Russia l Murmansk State The Barents Studies Journal Oulu, Finland l Region Västerbotten, ners from Russia, Finland and Humanities University l Ministry of Sweden Science and Education in Arkhangelsk is directed at researchers and Sweden. The project analysed students, as well as the man on Total budget: 1 801 323 € Region l Murmansk Regional State Priority: Common challenges the potential for efficient energy Educational Institution of Additional the street. A popularized supple- management in Kandalaksha and Vocational Education ”Murmansk ment issue, published in the autumn Kirovsk, and conducted audits Regional In-Service Training Institute of 2014, provided many colourful to find out what was required for Education and Culture” l Ministry of stories about everyday life and to improve energy efficiency in Education and Science Total budget: 1 097 063 € research in the Barents Region. FOR YOUNG PEOPLE’S buildings, including improved The purpose of the project, Priority: People to people cooperation RIGHT TO LIVE insulation, replacement of old and identity building led by the Arctic Centre at the heating systems etc. University of Lapland, was to The main purpose of CYAR A plan for efficient energy expand the understanding of (Children and Youth at Risk in management was prepared by the Barents Region in a global, the Barents Region 2012–2015) the Russian participants. Energy NORTHERN social, political and economic is to contribute to sustainable service companies, including CROSS-BORDER context, and to increase inter- social and economic develop- Finnish and Swedish companies CULTURAL EXPERTS national awareness of the ment in the Barents region by that are planning to enter the Deepening the expertise and inte- region. The editorship circulated improving living conditions for Russian market, can utilise the rest of teachers and students in the between the project partner children and young people in data. Cooperation by participat- culture of the neighboring country. institutes and that helped to risk groups. Project activities ing schools will continue, and strengthen research cooperation. are aimed at the development energy efficiency will be includ- Lead partner: Calotte Area Learning Centre, Inari, Finland The Barents Studies journal will of health care, social skills ed in their curricula. continue to be published as an Partners: Moscow Academy of training for children and young Entrepreneurship Murmansk Branch, electronic open access journal. people, prevention of juvenile Russia l Murmansk Industrial College l www.barentsinfo.org/ delinquency, rehabilitating Sámi Education Institute, Finland l barentsstudies/English young offenders, strengthen- ENERU Sodankylä Institute | Municipality of ing of parental resources and Inari Efficient Energy Management in Total budget: 555 436 € monitoring of children’s rights. Barents region. Priority: People to people cooperation The project involves a large ex- and identity building THE BARENTS change of information and ex- Lead partner: Lapland University of perience between the parties, Applied Sciences, Finland JOURNAL Partners: Lin Micropolis Oy, Finland and competence building in the l Bionova Ltd l Kemi-Tornionlaakso Lead partner: Arctic Centre at the partner regions. The work has Municipal Education and Training University of Lapland, Finland resulted in specialists receiving Consortium Lappia l Piteå municipality, RUSSIAN-SWEDISH COUNCIL FOR THE SME Partners: Luzin Institute for Economic the necessary training to meet Sweden l Bothnian Arc ekonomisk The project creates optimal conditions for increased cross-border Studies of Kola Science Centre of the the needs of the target groups förening l The Union of the Cities of cooperation between Swedish and Russian small and middlesize Russian Academy of Sciences l Barents by conducting education, care- the South of Kola Peninsula, Russia enterprises in the Barents Region. Institute at the University of Tromsø, Total budget: : 944 324 € ful follow-up and research. Tromsö, Norway Priority: Economic and social Lead partner: Företagarna Norrbotten Service AB, Sweden Total budget: 393 733 € development Partners: North Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Russia Priority: People to people cooperation Total budget: 660 249 € and identity building Priority: Economic and social development
30 31 HEALTH IN THE PLAYING FOR FUN PUBLIC SPACE MAKES EVERYONE A WINNER It is a fact that today’s youth are a huge presence on the digital playing Playing sports is fun, but it is important to have other people to play field. These young people are also at a time in life that is emotional – and compete with. Long distances make it difficult to meet other mentally, physically and is filled with social challenges. This makes sports enthusiasts. In sparsely populated areas tennis courts, skating it important for health information to migrate from the traditional rinks and swimming halls can also be few and far between. platforms out on to the web.
t has been shown that young people feel that “Interaction within social media makes it possible to port enthusiasts from Eastern Lapland During the project the neighbors participated in the community’s social and health care is too share information. This means that young people can and Southern Kola teamed up to overcome various activities from swimming and basketball formal and not as flexible as they would like. create new knowledge to promote their own health by these obstacles with the Kolarctic Sports to floorball and Yukigassen, the Japanese snowball This leads in turn to young people looking to involving the positive qualities like participation and and Recreational Activities project. fighting competition, in total almost 50 Ithe Internet for health related information. The social community”, says Eiri Sohlman. SDuring a three year period, sport clubs different events. Even downhill skiers and project known as, ArctiChildren InNet has there- The project has resulted in a developed model for exchanged coaching know-how, renovated other athletes trained and competed in the fore been developing a model for e-health directed e-health. It has created a framework for a cooperative sports facilities, bought training equipment neighboring countries. towards school age people. The project aims at project to achieve an empowering school e-health/e- and painted new course markings. However, Over 1,800 people took part in the project tackling the common challenges for young people’s learning model. A study was conducted to assess the the most important achievement was the activities, half of them children and teenag- physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual actual IT usage, attitudes and needs, to develop the friendships created ers. The fact that so many health and well-being. It is also about security and school’s e-health. During the project an IT environ- during the project. young people participat- cultural identity that works with the application of ment has also been built up where a dialogue with “The best result is ed shows that there was a information and communication technologies (ICT) new initiatives and approaches will be implemented that we were able to in- need for such a project. in the Barents Region. on three levels, in the classroom, between expert and troduce active members “I think the most nat- “As adults, parents and social and health care student, and between home and school. of sports associations ural way of cooperating is practitioners, we must recognise the Internet as a to each other, and help to get young people from new arena for discussing health issues with today’s them learn from each different countries to play young people. The Internet provides innovative other”, says project man- and train together. And possibilities to provide e-health services to the com- ARCTICHILDREN INNET ager Sonja Aatsinki. fortunately the collabo- munity in general. It’s also a tool for practitioners Empowering School e-Health Model in the The available sports ration still continues - a in the social and health care areas, providing a way Barents region. facilities in the project partner towns of Kemijärvi, team of young basketball players just came over from for them to develop methods for health promotion,” Salla, Kandalaksha, Kirovsk and Polyarnye Zori Kandalaksha for a training camp and tournament”, says project manager Eiri Sohlman. Lead partner: Lapland University of Applied Sciences, differ from each other. The aim of the project was to Sonja Aatsinki concludes. Finland allow people to make use of all the sports venues in Partners: Murmansk State Humanities University, Russia Procedures for e-health in schools have been devel- l Northern (Arctic) Federal University l Murmansk Gymna- the region, regardless of national borders. A portion oped through cross-border cooperation between pu- sia #5 l Lovozero secondary boarding-school of secondary of the project funding was allocated to improve sport pils, parents, teachers, experts in social and health (complete) education l Kandalaksha Secondary School#19 l venues to make them more attractive and better care as well as researchers in the ArctiChildren net- Luleå University of Technology, Sweden l Kalix municipality fit to cater for the increasing number of users. The KOLARCTIC SPORTS AND work. The fundamental question is how to find the l Luleå municipality l Finnmark University College, Norway l project partners also cooperated in marketing the RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES best solutions and methods of using social media for Alta municipality l Vadsø municipality l Sør-Varanger munic- region as a sport tourism destination. ipality l University of Lapland, Finland l Inari Municipality l Lead partner: Kemijärvi Town, Finland health issue communication. The project, ArctiChil- Salla Municipality l City of Kemi l Kemi-Tornio University of Partners: Kandalaksha Town, Russia l Polarnye Zori Town l dren InNet, makes it easy for students because they Applied Sciences Kirovsk Town l Municipality of Salla, Finland are active participants in the project, along with Total budget: 1 379 000 € Total budget: 929 032 € other project stakeholders and organisations. Priority: Common challenges Priority: People to people cooperation and identity building
32 33 BREAKING RECORDS IN SCIENCE EXHIBITION
The first nuclear-powered surface ship in the world was he Kolarctic project was led by the Ark- But a little patience goes a long way. As the work the Icebreaker Lenin. After three decades on the harsh tikum Science Museum’s Arctic Centre at progresses and people get to know each other, ice the University of Lapland, which was also starts breaking and things get easier. Arctic Ocean she was finally moored in Murmansk, and is responsible for producing the exhibition. “The best thing to happen during the project was TThe Polaria Exhibitions Centre in Tromsø and the when the people that had been negative towards now the first science centre specializing in the technology Atomflot in Murmansk Russia also provided their the construction of any exhibition on board the and history of icebreaking. The Arctic Expo Centre on the expertise. Together they planned and implement- Icebreaker Lenin gradually approved of the project”, ed a modern exhibition with four main themes. says Ari Laakso. Icebreaker Lenin is a ground-breaking cooperative project The first theme presents the Icebreaker Lenin The Kolarctic ENPI CBC funding filled the gap of and its impressive history. The second deals with a missing exhibition centre in Russia related to Arc- in science communications. various icebreaking technologies while the third tic science communication. The partners are proud presents the Arctic Ocean and its biodiversity. The of this concrete example of cross border cooperation final theme presents the Russian fleet of nuclear in the Barents region. icebreakers. “With the project, we have strengthened the All three partner expo centres get identical profile of the Icebreaker Lenin as the main tourist exhibition elements that help them share important attraction in Murmansk. Now the visitors can learn and up-to-date Arctic issues such as the effects of more about the history of the Lenin, about the ex- climate change or the future role of the Arctic with traordinary achievements of icebreaking technology the visitors in the different countries. The project in the Russian Arctic and also about the changing also provided a unique opportunity to develop joint Arctic marine environment.” educational activities. Arctic Expo Centre – Nuclear-Powered Icebreak- For visitors to Murmansk, the ship is a must see, er Lenin was the first cooperative project of its and the exhibition is fun and interesting. Some kind for the partners, even though they had all had visitors might even find themselves sitting in the contact before. Joint efforts are always a learning same spot where Nikita Khrushchev or Fidel Castro experience, and it’s not always smooth sailing. once sat. “The most difficult thing with the project was for us to understand how the hierarchical management structure and the business culture functions in Rus- ARCTIC EXPO CENTRE – sia. A good piece of advice is that you should always NUCLEAR POWERED talk to the person highest in the management hier- archy to get his or her approval”, says chief executive ICEBREAKER LENIN
producer Nicholas Gunslay of the Arctic Centre. Lead partner: Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, “A good translator or Russian speaking person Finland is always of great value”, says project manager Ari Partners: FSUE Atomflot, Russial Polaria Tromsø, Norway Laakso. Total budget: 1 177 478 €
34 35 MEETING ACROSS BORDERS A HAZARDOUS OCCUPATION MADE SAFER
The project known as KITENPI aims to create better opportu- The Mine Health project was strain and recovery as well as nities for skill enhancement from universities to IT companies in established to address these clothing and ergonomics. Training northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia. The project had a KITENPI risks. The Umeå University materials prepared during the specific goal, “Establishment of a Joint Kolarctic pool of ICT jobs Kolarctic IT Education, Networking, Department of Public Health project will help achieve safer Partnership and Innovation. and competence”, which usually is achieved through the results and Clinical Medicine along working practices. described further below. Lead partner: Luleå University of with research institutes from The work was conducted widely with universities in the form of Technology, Sweden Russia, Finland and Norway, cooperation regarding training and post graduate programs. Studi- Partners: InternetBay AB, Sweden l studied the unique working os were established at all five locations for effective e-meetings, Luleå Näringsliv AB l Informations- environment of miners in the MINE HEALTH Teknik i Norrbotten AB l Saint Peters- and networks were created to promote collaboration in recruitment Barents region with the goal Sustainability of miners’ wellbeing, burg State University of Information and cross-border innovation activities. of promoting the well-being health and work ability in Technologies, Mechanics and Optics, the Barents region. Among the overall goals of the Kolarctic project and the involved Russia l Arkhangelsk State Technical and health of the area’s mine partners, has been to increase collaboration between the Academy University l Pomor State University workers. and the ICT industry. When it comes to improving the competitive- The project increased Lead partner: Umeå University, l RUSSOFT Association l Lapland Sweden ness of the ICT industry, we have seen that cross-border contacts University of Applied Sciences, Finland knowledge regarding how to Partners: Lapland University of have intensified between small and medium-sized companies in l Norwegian Centre for Integrated Care cope with the environment Applied Sciences, Finland l Finnish the Nordic countries. The universities have become more inter- and Telemedicine, Norway l University Working as a miner still carries and prepared tools aimed at Institute of Occupational Health l Hospital of North Norway nationalised and bilateral cooperation has developed significantly. the risk of various health prob- reducing risks. Mine Health University Hospital of North Norway, Total budget: 1 379 000 € Tromsø, Norway l Norut Alta AS l There is also the ambition of joining existing partnerships with the Priority: Economic and social devel- lems. Dust, toxic gases, noise also highlighted the interde- Barents Cross-Border University. and vibration as well as miscel- pendence between the mining SINTEF Nord AS l Northwest Public opment Health Research Center (NWPHRC), sector and the local societies. A sustainable event concept and networking with stakeholders laneous other hazards lurk. Mine Russia in Norway known as “Barents IT” has been created. work in the harsh conditions of Miners, mining companies, Total budget: 2 979 670 € the Barents region brings extra researchers and health service Priority: Common challenges challenges. providers now know more about PLANT LIFE IN A UNIQUE CLIMATE
The project Arctic Agriculture Finland and Russia. During the of the region. The project will MUSSELS MEASURE POLLUTION LEVELS aims to improve the compet- project the plants were moni- also help to increase infor- TEC The climate change affects the vast Barents region in various itiveness of agriculture in the tored and compared regarding mation about the effects of Trilateral cooperation on Environ- North. Accomplishing this phonology, morphology and climate change on plants in the ways. In the northernmost regions, the changes are expected to mental Challenges in the Joint requires finding the strengths chemical properties. North. be bigger – more rain and more flooding. Temperatures are rising Border Area (TEC). in the region that create busi- The goal is to increase especially during the winter. Trilateral cooperation on Environmen- ness opportunities for Arctic competence in specific plant tal Challenges in the Joint Border Area (TEC) is a project that devel- Lead partner: Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the agriculture based on special production and create new pro- oped assessment tools for detecting the effects of climate change and of harmful substances and water regulation in the Finnish, Environment for Lapland, Finland plants. The Arctic conditions, duction lines to complement Partners: Finnish Environment short growing season, long the traditional basic agriculture Norwegian and Russian border region. Institute (SYKE), Oulu office, Finland hours of daylight, poor soil and The tools are assessment systems based on environmental l Institute of the Industrial Ecology large temperature differences monitoring and meteorological, hydrological and ecological models. Problems of the North of Kola Science during day and night, can cause But some of the tools can also be of natural origin. The project Centre (INEP), Russia l Murmansk Ad- a difference in the quality of FINDING THE REGIONAL STRENGTHS TO recommended using pearl mussels as indicators in pollution ministration for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (MAHEM), the plants, which is highly CREATE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR control especially in the salmon and trout rivers in the common Russia l The State Nature Reserve valued. The project examines ARCTIC AGRICULTURE BASED ON SPECIAL border areas. “Pasvik”/Pasvik Zapovednik l Office the effects of the local climate PLANTS Environmental cross-border cooperation requires common of the County Governor of Norway l on five selected plant species practices for evaluating the state of the environment. The Nordic Norwegian Institute for Air Research that have commercial poten- Lead partner: MTT Agrifood Research, Finland countries and Russia use different classification systems and the (NILU) l Akvaplan-niva AS (APN) tial beyond the conventional Partners: Norweigian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research project gave recommendations for using the most reliable classifi- Total budget: 1 499 998 € Priority: Common challenges food industry. Samples of the (Bioforsk) l Russian Academy of Science Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden and cations, limit values and standards, which are best suitable for the Institute (PAGBI) l N.I Vavilov All-Russian Crop Research Institute of the Russian northern regions. same origin were grown during Academy of Agriculture Sciences two seasons at five different Total budget: 470 002 € research stations in Norway, Priority: Economic and social development
36 37 “We did a lot of research, and two master theses were written on the project. Research work is an outcome in SUSTAINABLY WARM itself, and most importantly, we all learned a lot” » « PROFESSOR BJØRN R. SØRENSEN ENVIRONMENTALLY COOL
People living in the Kolarctic region are experts on cold climate, but still have a lot to learn about saving valuable energy. The magic words are “energy efficiency”. Investments need to be made to make energy installations and infrastructure fit for the future, but minimizing energy waste will save money in the long run.
everal Kolarctic ENPI CBC projects focused “Our project included many partners, and in the be- on ways of helping the region become more ginning it was difficult to get everyone to understand energy efficient. At the same time they want- what their task would be. Luckily we were able to ed to contribute to the economic develop- work things out, and we established very good work- Sment in the region through cooperation within the ing relationships. We also had excellent cooperation energy field. with the Russian authorities.” The main focus of the project, Sustainable build- While this project promoted business opportuni- ings in the High North, was on the energy efficient ties in the fields of the building technology industry, renovation of current buildings, especially multi- another project – Use of Heat Pump Promotion in storey buildings in Russia and other countries. The the Barents Region (HePuPro) – focused on increas- project also studied building regulations and energy ing energy savings. efficiency measures, because of the need to harmo- Energy production is still highly dependent on nize standards and regulations across borders. fossil fuels. Using energy from the air, water and
The project partners were the educational and research institutions: Narvik University College, University of Nordland, Umeå University, Murmansk USE OF HEAT PUMP State Technical University and the Oulu University PROMOTION IN THE BARENTS of Applied Sciences. REGION (HEPUPRO) “We did a lot of research, and two master disser- Lead partner: Lapland University of Applied Sciences tations were written on the project. Research work Partners: Narvik University College, Norway l is an outcome in itself, and most importantly, we all The Murmansk Agency for Energy Efficiency, Russia learned a lot”, says project leader, Professor Bjørn R. Total budget: 717 572 € Sørensen of the Narvik University College. Priority: Economic and social development
38 39 » We coordinated the work and created synergies between the projects and were able to organize events at the same time for both projects. « BJØRN R. SØRENSEN
ground, heat pumps can significantly decrease the was a real success and a new conference is planned electricity consumption for heating. On the market, for next year. We all benefit from sharing best prac- there are a lot of different types of heat pumps, tices with our neighbours across the borders”, says which use different techniques. Bjørn R. Sørensen, and concludes: The HePuPro project was started to combine “We are already preparing a new project based the growing demand for heat pumps in Russia with on what we have learned. The buildings are run the research and development expertise at Narvik, differently in Russia than in the Nordic countries, while independent testing was conducted at the heat so our next field of cooperation will be property pumps testing facility in Rovaniemi. Participants management.” were The Lapland University of Applied Sciences, along with the Narvik University College and the Murmansk Agency for Energy Efficiency. A comparative study of the heat pump market po- SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS FOR tential in the Barents region was carried out, which THE HIGH NORTH – CROSS provided information for the various authorities. BORDER RESEARCH AND TRADE Both projects, Heat Pump Promotion in Barents FACILITATION Region and Sustainable buildings in the High North, worked together closely. Lead partner: Narvik University College, Norway Partners: Umeå University, Sweden l Murmansk State “We coordinated the work and created synergies Technical University, Russia l University of Nordland, Norway between the projects and were able to organize l Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Finland events at the same time for both projects. The Mur- Total budget: 995 299 € mansk Energy Efficiency Festival in February 2015 Priority: Economic and social development
40 41 EXCHANGE TO WHET THE APPETITE SOCIAL LICENCE FOR MINING Co-TOUR is an EU project conducted between northern Sweden, northern Finland and north-western Russia that aims to develop In several locations in the ON THE ROAD TO and strengthen the tourism industry in and between the different Barents region, new mines areas. To achieve this goal, small and medium-sized destinations, are opening and old mines are tourist attractions and hotels have been helped to become more expanding or reopening. At the LIVING visible, competitive and internationally attractive for each other’s same time, people worry about markets. the preservation of the unique INDEPENDENT The target groups have benefited from each other’s knowledge and sensitive Arctic nature. The and have been given the opportunity to improve, develop and life-cycle of mines and their Kristina, 17, wants to go to higher education; Katya, 16, does not like her adapt their offering to each market accordingly. The project has pro- impact on sustainable develop- current field of study – she would like to become a car mechanic rather vided new and important knowledge to the involved parties, which ment is yet another concern. has enabled them to adapt to the other countries’ tourism markets. To be able to collaborate than a pastry chef. Target groups now have greater opportunities to reach out to an with the local inhabitants, min- international market that offers higher quality products. Valuable ing companies must be aware new contacts have been established between the partners, tour and understand the norms of ristina, Katya, Kolya and Andrey are four operators, incoming companies and companies that did not know the community. Today mining teenagers, ages 16 and 17, who have a lot in of each other or have not worked together in the past. companies pay more and more common. They are young, full of life and attention to the approval by share big dreams for the future. KKristina aims to pursue higher education, while local communities – it is called “the social license to operate”. Katya likes assembly kits and wants to become a car mechanic. Kolya is learning to drive road construc- The project – Sustainable tion equipment, and dreams of playing in the World Mining, local communities and Cup someday. Andrey is interested in people and environmental regulation in communication, and studies English after school. Kolarctic area (SUMILCERE) – They also have something else in common; they was created to provide social, are all placed in alternative care. Transition from childhood to adulthood can be legal and scientific tools and tornio and in Kandalaksha. The youngsters receives challenging for any teen, let alone for young people recommendations for both the training on how to protect their rights and enhance living in alternative care situations. They may mining industry and policy mak- their social skills. struggle to secure housing and employment, or to ers. The output helps mining “When my caregivers asked me about my continue their education, without having families to companies, as well as the local dreams, I said that I did not really have any. They turn to for help. inhabitants, administrations and made me sit down beside them and we started businesses, to organise their dreaming”, says Kristina. interaction during the entire The project “Support for leaving care” in the Murmansk region and Lapland, plans a support life-cycle of a mine. With the “Support for leaving care” programme system to assist young people who are in alternative her dreams may very well become real one day. care and are moving on towards adulthood and independence. SUMILCERE The project was carried out in SOS Children’s Sustainable Mining, local Villages in Lapland and in Kandalaksha. Within the CO-TOUR communities and envioronmental framework of the project, an SOS youth facility was Cooperation and Development of tourism business between SME’s Barents. regulation in Kolarctic area. opened in Murmansk to provide housing for young SUPPORT FOR LEAVING CARE Lead partner: Svefi Academy, Sweden Lead partner: University of Lapland, people while starting their vocational training. Here IN MURMANSK REGION AND IN Partners: MIPKI (Inter-Industrial Institute for Staff Development and Information), Finland they learn to cook, do laundry and to keep their LAPLAND Russia l Municipality of Ustainskiy District of the Arkhangelsk Region l Munici- Partners: Luleå University of Techno- rooms clean. They are also responsible for their pality of Gatchina District l Association The Hotels Club and Hotel School l State logy, Sweden l Northern Research Insti- schoolwork, but the facility provides them with Lead partner: Non-governmental educational institution Historic and Architectiral Museum Solovky l The Tourism Association of Murmansk tute, Tromsø, Norway l Institute of the support, advice, comfort and practical help. ”Childrens Village – SOS Kandalaksha, Russia Golfstream l Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Finland l Visit Gellivare Industrial Ecology Problems of the North Partners: Non-governmental educational institution of Lapland, Sweden l Haparanda Stad l Piteå Presenterar l Kiruna Lappland Turistbyrå of the Kola Science Center, Russia Professional caregivers were trained in several adults training ”Childrens Placement Support Center”, Russia l Boden Turism l Heart of Lapland Total budget: 1 093 704 € seminars, including vocational guidance, cultural l Lapland SOS Childrens Village, Finland Total budget: 993 375 € Priority: Economic and social and creative activities during a week long summer Total budget: 864 721 € Priority: Economic and social development development camp for youngsters living in SOS villages in Yli- Priority: People to people cooperation and identity building
42 43 DATABASE THAT REDUCES YOUNG DESIGNERS ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS CREATE FRIENDSHIP When an oil spill erupts there may be changes in the oil’s physical and chemical properties, which in turn affects how the emission behaves. People, especially young people, are central when it comes This affects humans as well as the environment. to the project known as Connecting Young Barents (CYB). A project that has created an arena for musicians and photographers.
meeting place where they can express themselves and create art while staying in the Barents Region and not moving to central cities. CYB has brought together Ayoung people through music festivals, photo exhibi- he project “Enhancement of Oil Spill optimise the interactive mechanism between the in- tions and meetings for youth leaders. Response System by Establishing Oil ternational response teams at regional and cross-bor- “Working together with everyone involved has Database” has placed focus on developing der oil spills. The project has helped to significantly been absolutely fantastic. I have experience of a database regarding the properties of oil reduce the risk of accidents, and thus potential working on different projects, but I can say without Ttransported through the Northern seas along the threats to the environment, as well as traditional hesitation that this is my favourite project. Everyone coast of Russia and Norway. life-sustaining activities in our region. became more than just colleagues, they became “We have tested 12 different samples of oil and “We have succeeded in creating a mechanism friends. And it’s always nice to work with young have also studied its interaction with two disper- for effective coordination between international people”, says project manager Irina Ivanova. sants, to see if they are effective and under what agencies operating in the event of acute discharges of conditions. Towards the end of the project we also Russian oil in Northern waters. This using the help of When CYB started, the aim was to create a popular participated in the international event, Barents a prognosis for oil behaviour, which has been made network where young people could contribute to Rescue Exercise, which takes place annually. The possible thanks to laboratory studies”, says Daria the cultural scene. Something that would hopefully “We managed to solve that by trying to make groups database and relevant software was utilised to arrive Izmailova. encourage them to remain in the region. where participants were as close in age as possible. at the appropriate method for oil recovery”, says “This is an important project because it creates On the whole, the project has been very successful. project manager Daria Izmailova. an arena for development. It helps the musicians We have implemented all the planned activities, She says that the project has been demanding, and photographers to get the tools they need to fulfil and the young people have become very close to but the team has relied on its expertise, advice and ENHANCEMENT OF OIL SPILL themselves where they live and work, and make each other. As one project participant said, “Inari in experience, which has been of great assistance. RESPONSE SYSTEM BY ESTAB- them aware of all the opportunities that are available Finland is cold but warm.” “It was an invaluable experience for all parties here, and what makes life in the Barents Region involved and the results have been very rewarding”, LISHING OIL DATABASE interesting. This project is, first and foremost, about friendships and making new friends, but it is also she says. Lead partner: The FBI State Regional Center for Standar- dization, Metrology and Testing in the Murmansk Region, about communicating”, says Irina Ivanova. CONNECTING YOUNG BARENTS Having the data concerning the oil properties Russia Irina says that the biggest challenges have been contained in a database is positive from several Partners: The Norwegian Coastal Administration l The linked to the various systems available in each Lead partner: Non-commercial partnership “Education, viewpoints. Laboratory data makes it possible to Federal State Budget Institution Maritime Rescue Service - respective country. In Norway, Finland and Sweden, Innovation and Scientific Research Union Socium+”, Russia more accurately predict the behaviour of oil at sea, Northern Branch Office, Russia l Limited Liability Company for example, the youth centres allow access to free Partners: Municipality of Inari / Department of Education, Storvik Consult, Russia l Murmansk Administration for Culture and Youth Work, Finland l City of Tornio / youth under varying weather conditions. It also provides rehearsal rooms, which means that they have the Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring l University department l Murmansk regional youth fund “Youth House”, the opportunity to choose the most effective counter of Oulu/Centre of Northern Environmental Technology, Finland opportunity to start playing music at an early age. Russia l Municipality of Alta / department “Huset”, Norway measures, such as mechanical recovery or the use Total budget: 1 004 211 € Young people do not have that opportunity in Russia, Total budget: 704 561 € of dispersants. The laboratory data bank will help to Priority: Common challenges which means that they become active at a later age. Priority: People to people cooperation and identity building
45 The results show that berries, mushrooms and fish close EXTERNAL INFLUENCE to Nikel (Murmansk) and the Jarfjord area Sør Varanger (Norway), have higher concentrations of metals than other areas of the border region. « SOFIE ELDBJØRG HEIMSTAD. ON THE INSIDE
When the air we breathe and the food we eat is contaminated by indu- is higher in this region due to industrial emissions, The project has been successful, but participants and some of the levels can be harmful”, says project have also encountered some challenges during the strial emissions it is time to act. Therefore, a project was started that, manager Sofie Eldbjørg Heimstad. work process. For example, it has been difficult to in various ways, has examined risks and analysed future prospects. During the project, various activities were conduct- obtain a sufficient number of volunteer residents ed. Facts and knowledge were gathered on the status from local communities to respond to question- of pollution in the area, which resulted in reports. naires and interviews. A number of analyses have There were also questionnaires and interviews in been delayed, and obtaining medical records from local communities in Sør Varanger (Norway), Enare health care authorities has not been easy. The pro- (Sweden) and Pechenga (Murmansk), where resi- ject is still not fully completed, and more analytical dents discussed their risk perception and how they data is expected. Some results are however clear, use and treat nature and locally harvested food. In and they confirm the previously reported data the same area, extensive sampling was carried regarding air, moss and freshwater. out on the local foods like berries, mushrooms, fish “The results show that berries, mushrooms and and game. fish close to Nikel (Murmansk) and the Jarfjord area “In retrospect, we have analysed toxic metals Sør Varanger (Norway), have higher concentrations and organic contaminants in these samples. We of metals than other areas of the border region. have also gone through birth records and collected Metal analyses of moose and reindeer show low blood samples from mothers”, says Sofie Eldbjørg levels and can be compared with previous studies in Heimstad. Norway, Finland and Sweden”, says Sofie Eldbjørg Heimstad. There are some key issues that have arisen from Dioxin levels in some fish show levels close to the project: the maximum limit set by the EU. Dioxin levels in • Is the local food contaminated? reindeer are higher than previous data from Norway • If so - in which regions? and Finland, but probably not a risk for human • To what extent do people consume this food? consumption. The analysis of radionuclide reveals • Are people concerned about it, and has it affected safe levels below the maximum limit for berries, their use of local food? mushrooms, fish, moose and reindeer. • What are the social and physical aspects?
FOOD AND HEALTH SECURITY IN THE NORWEGIAN, RUSSIAN AND THE FINNISH BORDER REGION: LINKING LOCAL INDUSTRIES
here are clear indications that people in project like, “Food and Health Security in the Nor- Lead partner: Norwegian Institute of Air Research (NILU) some parts of the border region between wegian, Russian, and Finnish border regions: linking Partners: Akvaplan-niva AS, Norway l Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority l Northern Research Institute l University of Tromsø l The County Governor of Finnmark l Northern and Environmental issues / Thule Institute / University of Oulu l Finnish Norway, Finland and Russia are affected local industries”, is important, as food and health Meteorological Institute l Murmansk County Birth Registry, Russia l Institute for Ecological Problems / Kola Science Center l by industrial pollution. Partly, it is about issues are thoroughly investigated. The North West Public Health Research Center Tpolluted air but also regards potentially contaminat- “We have also seen that the concentrations of Total budget: 789 186 € ed, locally produced food from nature. Therefore, a certain metals in locally produced food from nature Priority: Common challenges
46 47 WITH A BRIGHT HORIZON IN SIGHT
The New Horizon project is the largest and most compre- hensive cultural project ever undertaken in the history of the Barents cooperation. It consists of five sub-projects – where the real and exciting work was carried out.
t’s about strengthening contacts between and therefore the idea of a joint project entitled, people. It’s also about identity building and New Horizons. intensifying cultural cross border cooperation To the above three ideas two more were added. between northwest Russia and the northern re- Young Entrepreneurs for Culture and Creative Igions of Scandinavia. The New Horizon project also Sector, a training program for young cultural aims to strengthen entrepreneurship and to develop players, and the Barents Forum, two conferences joint cultural and artistic co-production. on cooperation and culture development. “It’s about everything from solving problems to each other over time, including using video links. “The project was preceded by a pilot pro- “With the New Horizon program, we wanted lifting ideas. Not only in Luleå but throughout the It has been incredibly fun to take part in so many ject in 2010–2011, which brought together cul- to revive cultural cooperation in the Barents entire Barents Region. We need more creativity in exciting meetings. Simply put, we have worked with tural participants from Sweden, Finland and region, improve the cultural living conditions companies and municipalities. Society is changing new techniques that span borders.” Russia for idea seminars to discuss possible in our region and increase our regional attrac- and creativity makes one better equipped to create collaborative projects”, says project manager tiveness. The project also accounts for the chal- a change that leads forward”, says Dan Lestander, Tomas Lind. lenges we face in terms of depopulation, the project manager for the X-Border Art Biennial in From the pilot » relocation of young Luleå. project three project It’s about everything from solving women and more. He believes that in many countries there are ideas were con- Increased cooper- similar issues and problems that are met by a NEW HORIZONS ceived. X-border is problems to lifting ideas. Not only ation, increasing completely different audience, should these be an extension of the in Luleå but throughout the entire contacts and direct included into an art biennial like the one in Luleå. Lead partner: Norrbotten County Council, Sweden Luleå biennial to human-to- “The audience can give their evaluations and Partners: The Committee on Culture and Arts of the include Rovaniemi Barents Region. human exchange is thus drive development further. It’s great.” Murmansk Region, Russia l Ministry of Culture of the in Finland and « DAN LESTANDER important in order The project has expressed itself in different ways. Republic of Karelia l Ministry of Education, Science and Severomorsk in to prevent tensions In addition to a collaboration with Kulturens hus Culture of the Arkhangelsk region l Centre of Socio-cultural Russia. Sound of the Barents deals with church and and conflicts”, says Tomas Lind. (culture house), Konsthallen (art hall) and Norr- technologies Severomorsk l Evangelical Lutheran Church in Murmansk l Arts Council of Lapland, Finland l Arts Council bottens Museum in Luleå, an entire parking area choral music for young people while Museums and The project has managed to reach the overall of Oulu l University of Lapland l The Provincial museum of Heritage is a collaboration and knowledge exchange objectives and revitalised cultural cooperation and has been painted in different colours. This art Lapland l Pudasjärven seurakunta l Tornion seurakunta l between museums of archaeology and museum has secured long-term opportunities for continued installation has received a huge positive response, Pellon seurakunta l Oulu Parish Union l Oulun hiippakunta l education. cooperation after the project period. and many have seen the X-Border project as a Inarin seurakunta l Region Västerbotten, Sweden l Sensus “Based on the possibilities of EU funding, it was A project that was a particularly big hit was having a “wow” factor. Norra Norrland l Haparanda Församling l Luleå Stift l Kilen considered most appropriate that these projects X-border. The exhibition enjoyed great success in “It’s really great, but at the same time it is a bit Art Group l Norrbotten Regional Museum l Västerbotten Regional Museum l Nordland County Council / Culture and would be included under a joint “umbrella project.” Luleå, Rovaniemi and Severomorsk. X-border is frightening that this is not expected of us, and that Environmental Affairs, Norway l Troms County Council / about stimulating people, fantasies and communi- it instead rather surprises the audience. Since the Dept. of Culture and Sports Affairs l Finnmark County Council It was also based on the desirability of extending ties through art. project took place simultaneously in Rovaniemi and Total budget: 3 154 885 € the project to other partners in the Barents region, Severomorsk we found ways to communicate with Priority: People to people cooperation and identity building
48 49 “With the New Horizon “Overall, the results have been very program, we wanted positive. Most of the data resulted in to revive cultural scientific work at or beyond the expected cooperation in the levels, and the possibilities for further Barents region cooperation have been identified by the NEW HORIZONS partners. In short, a platform for future projects has been created” CETIA
“This is an important project because it creates an arena for development. CONECTING YOUNG BARENTS
“Working with Kolarctic ENPI CBC has been rewarding and eye- opening. It has involved several deep explorations into many different areas. Thanks to these development projects, exchanges of expertise, “The researchers were enthusiastic; their experiences and ideas have crisscrossed regionally and nationally. goal was to produce reliable scientific Examples of concrete results include: the construction of a major road results. Of course there are always between Salla in Finland and Kandalaksha in Russia, an exhibition differences in working cultures, but everything went fine because everyone centre of the nuclear-powered icebreaker, Lenin, created in Murmansk, shared a common purpose.” KOLARCTIC SALMON a youth facility was renovated and established in Murmansk, and people with disabilities have been rehabilitated in Arkhangelsk. Cross-border cooperation at its best.” KATJA SUKUVAARA, HEAD OF PROGRAMME
“At this stage of the project, we have found that the most effective ways to increase motivation and interest in language learning and sustainable cooperation across borders is to have personal experiences and encounters face to face” CONECT
50 51 INFORMATION AND CONTACTS
On the programme website, you will find all the projects that have been carried out during the programming period. You will also find all the regularly updated information on future programming periods, dates and other details. Feel free to contact us with your questions or queries.  www.kolarcticenpi.info
This Programme is funded by the EU, Finland, Norway, the Russian Federation and Sweden
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