Showing 41 project(s)

EXcavator Pro in Ecologicial ResToration (EXPERT KO5008)

Programme funding: 41 150 Total budget: 66 300

Duration: 01.12.2021 - 30.11.2022

Short description of the project
Excavators are needed for the restoration of streams and wetlands and the removal of migratory barriers. However, machine operators’ lack of knowledge about ecological restoration, can affect the quality of the work and make it even more expensive if it must be re-done.

The “EXcavator Pro in Ecological ResToration” project will result in a complete educational material in Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Russian as well as a program for the course, which will contribute to increased ecological enlightenment and knowledge of ecological restoration. The project plans to build a partnership between the countries and organisations in the Barents region by having eco-educational activities. It creates a platform for the countries to continue with nature restoration projects also after the project has ended.

The best practices in the field of ecological restoration will be shared and taught in practical workshops. The exchange of experience will increase the quality of the restoration work in the Barents region and inspire stakeholders to do more ecological measures. The project will make restoration more cost-effective when all involved have the same level of knowledge.

Website: keep.eu/projects/27799/EXcavator-Pro-in-Ecologicial-EN/

Lead partner: County Administrative Board of Norrbotten, Sweden
Other partners: Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, Norway
Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Lapland, Finland
Pechenga local public organization on ecological enlightenment "EcoCentre", Russia

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The project has produced four compendiums and four films. to work as education materials for those working on the field, in river restoration. The films represent the categories: 1) Restoration of streams (historically damage by timber floating) film: https://play.mediaflowpro.com/ovp/16/44FEO9N9Y8 (in Swedish), 2) Removal of migration barriers (road water-crossings and dams) film: https://play.mediaflowpro.com/ovp/16/00FEF9V9IX (in Swedish) 3) Restoration of wetlands film. https://play.mediaflowpro.com/ovp/16/81FET9EVIV (in Swedish), and 4) Erosion measures film: https://play.mediaflowpro.com/ovp/16/55FEF979NC (in Swedish) Also, the project has created a restoration network between the northern parts of Norway, Finland and Sweden. The network makes it easier to continue with other restoration projects (i.e., the cross-border LIFE project TRIWA).
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Environmental Safety and Sustainability of Wind Energy Projects at Remote Territories of Arctic Region (SafeWind KO5135)

Programme funding: 69875 Total budget: 99750

Duration: 21.06.2021 - 30.06.2022

Short description of the project
Development of the Arctic zone is leading to increasing demand for up-to-date and sustainable energy supply systems. Modernization of energy-supply grids, local energy generating infrastructure, and expanding the usage of renewable sources of energy, are responding to the modern trends. Wind power plays an important role in the development of energy supply systems in remote territories, and the increasing number of wind power farms will have an increasing impact on the environment.
SafeWind project’s objective is to address the abovementioned trends by finding cross-border, common approaches for minimising wind farms’ negative environmental impact in the future. The project will develop recommendations on optimizing Environmental Impact Assessment requirements for wind power generation and distribution at remote and hard-to-reach territories along the international transport corridors Northern Axis, Barents Link and further along the Northern Sea Route. The project is aiming at mutual learning and unification of the requirements and approaches to the EIA process in the participating regions in Norway, the European Union and Russia, where preliminary EIAs will be carried out. By comparative analysis of the assessment processes, the project will compile and promote a jointly developed list of common requirements for the wind power farm EIA in both on-shore and off-shore areas of the Barents/Euro-Arctic region.
The project works in close cooperation with Kolarctic Project Northern Axis – Barents Link (NABL KO4159)

Website: keep.eu/projects/27798/Environmental-Safety-and-Sus-EN/

Lead partner: Autonomous nonprofit organization «Center of management projects for social and economy, scientific and technological, innovative development and staff provision for regions» St. Petersburg, Russia, Russia
Other partners: UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Nordland; Regional Council of Kainuu, Finland; Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Arkhangelsk Region

Status: Finalised
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Capacity Building for Black Carbon mitigation efforts: a roadmap for cross-border activities (KO5106 CB4BC)

Programme funding: 45 000 € Total budget: 100 000 €

Duration: 22.02.2021 - 28.02.2022

Short description of the project
In climate change science and mitigation policy making, the role of black carbon has been growing. It is estimated that by the total climate forcing, black carbon is now the second most important human emission type after carbon dioxide. Black carbon has an important role in the climate system with several direct, semi-direct and indirect effects. It absorbs solar radiation, influences cloud processes, and increases the melting of snow and ice. In addition to climate concerns, black carbon as an air pollutant has considerable human health effects causing morbidity and premature mortality.
Arctic nations are responsible for about a third of the Arctic warming caused by black carbon, even though they produce only about 10% of global human black carbon emissions. Most black carbon particles do not travel far from their source, so emissions produced closest to the Arctic tend to have the greatest impact.
The central aim of the project was to construct a Black Carbon mitigation roadmap for decision-makers in three regions. An important objective of the roadmap was to strengthen the regions through a transfer of the gathered knowledge, experiences, and circumstances. There is a need for cross-border co-operation and implementation of best practices and best available technologies. Leader of this project was Lapland University of Applied Sciences (LUAS) and partners were the Kola Science Center (KSC) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Arctic University of Norway (UiT).

Website: keep.eu/projects/27796/Capacity-Building-for-Black--EN/

Lead partner: Lapland University of Applied Sciences Ltd, Finland
Other partners: Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Murmansk, Russia)
UiT The Arctic University of Norway (Troms, Norway)

Status: Finalised
Achievements: Barents cooperation is very important and the roadmap, written during this project, will bring a regional perspective. The frame for the roadmap was built up after every workshop and in the final workshop, the results were introduced to the audience. New ideas for cooperation have been found during this CB4BC-project and the work for black carbon mitigation continues.
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Aurora Borealis monitoring system for tourism business needs (KO5029 Aurora)

Programme funding: 45 000 € Total budget: 60 000 €

Duration: 01.03.2021 - 28.02.2022

Short description of the project
Arctic tourism is becoming more and more attractive among visitors. They are expecting unusual experience by seeing the natural phenomena typical for the Arctic area such as the Aurora Borealis. In fact, such tourism has a seasonal character and depends on weather conditions. In case tourists could not obtain expected feelings, the tourist agencies faced consumers’ disappointment and decline in service satisfaction. Therefore, applying scientific resources for the development of Arctic tourism is important.

The project is planning to help tourism-related SMEs to broaden and improving their services on the basis of the latest scientific findings. This problem has been identified by survey analysis of tourists, tour-guides and representatives of tourism agencies.The overall goal of the project is to draw attention to the Arctic nature and to research such a unique phenomenon as Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights). The project will promote growth of tourist sector, resulting in increase of tourists, higher revenue in the local economy and a better employment rate in the tourist sphere. Along that nature reserves situated in the area will have an opportunity to widen number of their services and develop new education programs for school children and local people who are interested in nature.

Website: keep.eu/projects/27795/Aurora-Borealis-monitoring-s-EN/

Lead partner: Polar Geophysical Institute, Russia
Other partners: Education, Innovation, Scientific and Reasearch Union Socium+ (Murmansk, Russia)
Metsähallitus, Parks & Widlife Finland (Lapland, Russia)
State Nature Reserve Pasvik (Murmansk, Russia)
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) (Troms and Finnmark, Norway)

Status: Finalised
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

New Natural Kolarctic Product SME Assistance (KO5094)

Programme funding: 44 990 € Total budget: 99 022 €

Duration: 01.02.2021 - 31.01.2022

Short description of the project
Project aims to develop a better understanding of the real needs and priorities of SMEs in the Kolarctic region with respect to development of New Natural Kolarctic Products (NNKPs) with assistance from research institutes and academic institutions. The target group are SMEs, and they will be invited to present success stories, priorities and needs and problems that they have encountered in the development, approval and marketing of natural products based on local raw material resources.

Organizations will also receive an overview of the existing R&D institutions in the Kolarctic region which have academic knowledge, laboratory capacities, and innovative technologies which could be used for development, testing and production of NNKPs from the natural resources of Kolarctic. Our intention is to organize effective interactions between these two types of organizations in the form of interactive web-resource and face-to-face contacts allowing meeting the needs and capacities of both ends.

Website: keep.eu/projects/27803/New-Natural-Kolarctic-Produc-EN/

Lead partner: SINTEF Narvik A.S., Norway
Other partners: Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Northern State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation (Arkhangelsk, Russia)
University of Oulu (Oulu, Finland)

Status: Finalised
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Industrial tourism: Developing New Destinations in the Arctic (KO5055 ITinA)

Programme funding: 57 428 € Total budget: 75 113 €

Duration: 01.01. - 31.12.2021

Short description of the project
Micro-project ITinA targeted to enhance a new brand: Industrial tourism in the Arctic, based on the rich heritage of the Arctic regions, through building an international network and enhancing the development of the new innovative tourism services. The focus was on small and medium enterprises at partners’ implementation region in Finland, Sweden and Russia.
It requires understanding and international cooperation to profiling the new industrial tourism destinations. ITinA project intended to develop the industrial tourism conception in the Arctic and apply its potential capacity.
The partner network selected a number of industrial themes to be developed that bring the regions identity, history and industry expertise to the area. Specific emphasis was given to support structures, associations and businesses in the fields of circular economy, responsible industry, cultural heritage and food industry.

Website: keep.eu/projects/27802/Industrial-tourism-Developin-EN/

Lead partner: Lapland University of Applied Sciences Ltd, Finland
Other partners: Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov (Arkhangelsk, Russia)
Kazakov Consulting (Nordland, Norway)

Status: Finalised
Achievements: Though dialogues and discussions the project helped participated companies to get broader understanding of the industrial tourism concept. Even though, the market situation varies in different countries, companies have recognised the potential of international cooperation with neighbouring countries in Barents region for exchange of ideas and getting new ideas for developing own businesses. Companies understood the strong need for strengthening relationships between MSMEs and with other actors for further developments of local offerings. It is also important for local societies, since tourism industry actors are usually important contributors to value creation in social and economic lives of local communities. We have also found that there is a strong need for companies in support to build an effective network between MSMES and other actors. Despite well-developed support apparatus in some regions (tourist associations, regional and national financial supportive mechanisms) micro and small companies are not always able to use due to: - lack of competence and knowledge about how to use it; - lack of capacities (time and dedicated personnel); - lack of knowledge about approached how to use the industrial tourism concept for new business ideas development. The project developed an analysis of the action together with a preliminary action plan for development. It was recognized that innovation and experiences from participants facing similar challenges can be shared for the common benefit. The innovations can be communicated more effectively through a transnational Programme, where the SMEs link into expertise that is located in other countries, but with similar geographical challenges. This will add further value streams to SMEs and in that way assist their economic viability, especially greater effect in sparsely populated regions compared with more urbanized areas.
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Drone safety monitoring systems for Arctic mining (KO5080 DROSAMO)

Programme funding: 38 395 € Total budget: 48 883 €

Duration: 01.02.2021 - 31.01.2022

Short description of the project
The project deals with safety ensuring of the mining industry workers. Though modern industry is quite developed, accidents, health problems, and sudden challenging situations still occur. These situations can also increase the load on natural environment (negatively affect the state of groundwaters etc.), influence the health of local inhabitants and disturb production while it takes a long time to study what has been happening and how wide is the effect.
The drone technology can give an added value to solve this problem. Since DROSAMO is a micro-project, the upper level aim was to create a concrete base in terms of drone research, understanding the market industrial needs, idea development plans for drones based on the needs, and preliminary drone demonstrations and simulations (To become early adopters of the technology). This concrete base findings acted as a future roadmap for the DROSAMO project towards taking the next leap in providing novel drone technologies and solutions for complex industrial challenges in mines and further to make further steps in the form of a funding application(s) securing larger findings (and thus creating a stable focus of activities for realizing this vision).

Website: keep.eu/projects/27797/Drone-safety-monitoring-syst-EN/

Lead partner: Institute of North Industrial Ecology Problems - Subdivision of the Federal Research Center «Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences» (INEP KSC RAS), Russia
Other partners: Cherepovets State University (Other, Russia)
Centria University of Applied Sciences (Oulu, Finland)
Luleå Technical University (Norrbotten, Sweden)

Status: Finalised
Achievements: Through the DROSAMO market analysis across Kolarctic regions, there were similarities found in terms common requirements from the hazardous industries like: (1) Safety of workers, (2) Optimized Environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures, (3) Protective and preventive measures, and (4) Need to study the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere in hazardous environments. Autonomous navigation and mapping demonstrations were tested in an underground mining environment (Using thermal cameras, sensors, SLAM tech, 3D scanners) to detect human beings and conduct 3D navigation of the mine environment. This ensured robust and reliable autonomous navigation in a GPS denied and toxic environment mine to address the safety challenges of workers. Further strategies for collecting data for the EIA process in mines and formulating proactive maintenance strategies in mines were elaborated. To address the challenge on estimating the air pollution levels in Apatity city, the DROSAMO team conducted CFD modelling of atmospheric pollution processes by numerical modeling. This gave good insight analysis of the predicted values of dust concentration levels (dust particle size up to 20 μm).
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Treasures from the Northern Nature (KO5100 TreNat)

Programme funding: 59 853 € Total budget: 79 837 €

Duration: 01.01. - 31.12.2021

Short description of the project
Northern natural sustainable resources include a wide range of goods of biological origin. To Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) belong e.g. edible berries and nuts, mushrooms, fruits, herbs, spices and condiments, aromatic plants, game, fibers (used in construction, furniture, clothing or utensils), resins, gums, plant and animal products used for medical, cosmetic or cultural purposes. Thanks to the wide and free access to forests there is a practically unlimited possibility to pick berries, mushrooms and herbs for everyone. Availability of reindeer and game meat has always been an important contribution to food security in the Barents region.

The main objective of Treasures from the Northern Nature (TreNat) project is to widen cooperation between SMEs, educational and research institutions as well as consulting organizations working in the field of natural sustainable resources. Such cooperation will increase general awereness and interest towards Non-Timber Forest Products, their use by stakeholders and businesses. The project will also drow attention to cultural and health aspects of NTFPs in the region. This will improve networking of NTFP stakeholders and create new networks for planning and preparation of further joint activities across borders.

Website: keep.eu/projects/27807/Treasures-from-the-Northern--EN/

Lead partner: Lapland University of Applied Sciences Ltd, Finland
Other partners: Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (Troms, Norway)
Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V.Lomosov (Arkhangelsk, Russia)

Status: Finalised
Achievements: Treasures of the Northern Nature was a micro project which completed the standard project Agroforestry in Barents Region. TreNat pruduced a video promoting the potential of agroforestry in Kolarctic region. The project arranged workshops and round table discussions to interest groups having to do with agroforestry and with refining and promoting natural products.
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Nitrogen compound removal processes (KO5021 NITRGONE)

Programme funding: 89 412 € Total budget: 99 346 €

Duration: 15.12.2020 - 30.11.2021

Short description of the project
Project objective is to provide information on means of reducing emissions of nitrogen compounds to the environment. This information is directed to businesses and authorities with responsibility for reducing environmental impacts. Nitrogen compounds (such as ammonia, nitrate and nitrite) form an important part of the nutrient cycle for plant growth. Significant advances in food production were made with the development of technologies to ‘fix’ nitrogen from air and make it available to plants in the form of nitrogen compounds in mineral fertilizers. However, the leakage of nitrogen compounds into waterways can lead to environmental problems such as eutrophication. In addition, microbial action can result in some of the nitrogen being emitted as nitrous oxide, which has a Greenhouse gas effect 300 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. Hence, there is a need to concentrate on reduction of nitrogen compound emissions to the environment.
The main NITRGONE project outputs will be a web-based information resource for businesses and local authorities on nitrogen compound emissions as well as results from experimental testing of technologies to remove or reduce nitrogen compounds from specific sources.

Website: nitrgone.eu

Lead partner: SINTEF Narvik A.S., Norway
Other partners: University of Oulu (Oulu, Finland)
Kola Science Centre RAS (Murmansk, Russia)

Status: Finalised
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Remediation strategies for ultra-low sulfur fuel oil in winter conditions (KO5133 RemULSFO)

Programme funding: 70 000 € Total budget: 100 000 €

Duration: 09.12.2020 - 30.11.2021

Short description of the project
The introduction of sulfur emission control areas (SECA) and the new regulations MARPOL2020, which set the limits for sulfur content in fuel oils, has led to the use of higher quality fuel oils with very low sulfur content. This new type of hybrid fuel oil, ultralow-sulfur fuel oil (ULSFO) is being used increasingly both within and outside SECA. They tend to be rich in waxes and have high pour point which affect the dispersibility of the oils at low temperature and presents challenge for removing them from marine environment in cold winter. Knowledge about the new oil type - its behavior in cold marine environment, the potential risks in oil spill response as well as suitable remediation strategies, is still lacking.
The countries in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region (BEAR) which also include Russia, Norway and Finland, share common challenges related to SECA and ULSFO since they have intensive maritime activities and integrated shipping routes. But differences in climate and marine environment may not allow the use of the same remediation strategies for oil spills. Knowledge from different climates and marine environments are required to develop suitable remediation strategies for ULSFO.
The project was aimed at building an international network for joint knowledge exchange on ultralow-sulfur fuel oil (ULSFO), investigating the behavior of the spilled ULSFO under marine sub-arctic and Arctic winter conditions, identifying the potential risks for oil spill response, and testing the effectiveness of chemical dispersant in enhancing the biodegradation process of ULSFO.

Website: keep.eu/projects/27805/Remediation-strategies-for-u-EN/

Lead partner: SINTEF Narvik A.S., Norway
Other partners: Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov (Arkhangelsk, Russia)
Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Marine Research Centre (Helsinki, Finland)

Status: Finalised
Achievements: Creating a well-functioning network to investigate the behavior of the spilled ultra-low sulfur fuel oil (ULSFO) under marine sub-arctic and Arctic winter conditions and exchange of best practices. Producing i) An evaluation report on the use of dispersant in oil spill combat for the oil HDME 50, ii) Recommendations for developing oil remediation strategies based on risk assessment of the spilled oil for appropriate environment protection authorities and agencies from BEAR cross border countries, iii) A teaching material for educational program at Narfu; iv) Two scientific papers (in preparation) will be submitted to relevant journals.
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

GREEN ICE CAMERA (KO5101 GIC)

Programme funding: 77 000 € Total budget: 100 000 €

Duration: 11.11.2020 - 31.10.2021

Short description of the project
The Barents region has become an attractive destination for film recordings, partly because of the exotic beauty and natural wealth of the region, and because climate change is changing this landscape dramatically.
One major challenge produced by increased film production is the increased pressure on the unique natural environments of the region. In order to preserve natural ecosystems and the communities that depend on them, a higher standard for sustainability in film productions needs to be established and disseminated.

Green Ice Camera is a project between Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway to collectively create protocols for sustainable media production and a database of creative companies in the region, to promote creative collaboration online, and to make it easier to hire local crew members. Protocols will be developed in working groups established locally in each country. Workshops with both industry practitioners and sustainability experts will ensure that these protocols are both realistic and create impacts. Projects, following the protocols can obtain a certificate and receive an award at a Green Screen festival in Kirkenes in September 2021. Criteria will include carbon emissions, pollution, ecological disruption (damage to landscape, vegetation, and stress on wildlife), and community inclusion.

Website: keep.eu/projects/27801/GREEN-ICE-CAMERA-EN/

Lead partner: Ice-9 AS, Norway
Other partners: Webbon (Norrbotten, Sweden)
Lapland University of Applied Sciences (Lapland, Finland)
LLC Art Media Service (Murmansk, Russia)

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The project established a network of film and sustainability experts in four countries of the Barents region and worldwide. A first edition of the Green Ice Camera framework was published for sustainable media production. It is available in 5 languages: (ENG, NO, RU, FI, SE). This framework makes use of best practice and insights from regional and international guidelines and has a wide set of references and contacts for further information. The project established an interactive digital platform for planning and collaboration in two languages, ENG and RU. The Green Ice Camera platform includes a map to find regional collaborators and recruit media workers as well as an Action Planner to make a customized sustainability plan for any production. Green Ice Camera has worked with regional festivals, labor unions, and other media associations to raise awareness and increase collaborations throughout the Barents region and beyond.
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Arctic Layered Intrusions as a Source of Critical Metals for Green Economy (KO5125 ARLIN)

Programme funding: 69 996 € Total budget: 99 993 €

Duration: 25.11.2020 - 30.11.2021

Short description of the project
The aim of the micro project was to plan a larger, collaboration project, which will conduct a detailed study of mafic layered intrusions in the Arctic region for the genetic models and exploration strategy of the mineral deposits. The project has refined the existing ore-genetic models that can be used to reduce the environmental impact and costs of exploration and mining.
Special emphasis was placed on combining the resources, experience, knowledge and technological capabilities of leading research, academic and industrial institutions of the European Arctic (Finland, Norway and Russia), as well as on attracting young researchers and students to studies of layered intrusions and related mineralizations.
The study of mafic layered intrusions contributes to the adaptation of this and future generations to the climate change, its mitigation and raising awareness of the local population and industrial decision-makers on the possibilities of environmental protection during exploration and mining.

Website: keep.eu/projects/27793/Arctic-Layered-Intrusions-as-EN/

Lead partner: University of Oulu, Finland
Other partners: Geological institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences (Murmansk, Russia)
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Nordland, Norway)
Geological Survey of Finland (Lapland, Finland)
University of Helsinki (Helsinki, Finland)

Achievements: During the workshops, a research and educational collaboration platform for the green-economy metal mineralization involving both academy and industry was established among the 3 participating countries. In terms of ore deposit model refinement, the project has identified the key research questions and research methods to address them in a larger collaboration project. From the two workshops and several other seminars, there are about 30 presentations all together. Two abstract volumes were published related to these presentations (26 abstractes together). Cumulatively, there are 57 personals participated the workshops and seminars. One manuscript using co-eval mafic dyke swarms in Fennoscanida to constrain the magma source of layered intrusions has been submitted to peer reviewed journal, and a draft of project proposal has been completed.
Type of the project: Micro Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Conserving our Atlantic salmon as a sustainable resource for people in the North (KO4178 CoASal)

Programme funding: 824 118 € Total budget: 1 146 619 €

Duration: 01.01.2020 - 30.09.2022

Short description of the project
The Atlantic salmon is an amazing creature. Its birth and growth in streams and rivers of the Barents Sea area, its transformation from a freshwater fish to a seawater fish with all the physiological changes that are involved, its migration across thousands of kilometers from the feeding grounds to coastal areas and its accurate return to the river and even the riffle where it was born to breed and re-start its life cycle - all these attributes capture human imagination. While new fishery regulation measures are implemented to maintain conservation limits and to harvest salmon stocks sustainably, more and more wild salmon populations become threatened, most likely because of multiple factors, including global climate change, intensive development of salmon aquaculture industry, introductions of foreign fish species and habitat destruction. Another major threats, where knowledge status is poor are transmission of various pathogens from farmed to wild salmon and outbreaks of “dormant” diseases due to increase of river and sea temperatures. Changes in climate will especially affect the Arctic areas, where the anticipated temperature increase is the largest one. Global warming will have an effect on salmon in all stages of its life-cycle, both in the freshwater and in the sea.
The CoASal project will document and examine the effects of the new sea salmon fishery regulations, study the growing threats Atlantic salmon populations face today with climate change, growing cage culture industry and emerging diseases. The project raises awareness and knowledge on the unique and joint Atlantic salmon resource in the Barents region, enhances cooperation between local fishermen, decision makers and research institutions in Norway, Finland, Russia and Sweden.

Website: www.statsforvalteren.no/troms-finnmark/miljo-klima/internasjonalt-samarbeid/atlantisk-laks-i-barentsregionen--atlantic-salmon-in-the-barents-region/

Lead partner: Office of the Finnmark County Covernor, Vadsø, Norway
Other partners: * Knipovich Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography, Murmansk, Russia
* University of Turku, Kevo Subarctic Research Institute, Utsjoki, Finland
* Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Aquatic Resources, Uppsala, Sweden
* Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway

Status: Ongoing
Achievements: The project has published 24 reports about the research done on the project. It has raised awareness on the Atlantic salmon also by arranging public events for audiences who are closely connected to the salmon fisheries, and by publishing awareness raising materials. The project has had good connections with appropriate bodies: fishermen associations, administrative bodies and research institutions. In doing all this, the project has contributed to saving the Atlantic salmon
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Disruptive Information Technologies for Barents Euro-Arctic Region (KO4096 DIT4BEARs)

Programme funding: 879 269 € Total budget: 1 155 328 €

Duration: 13.01.2020 - 31.12.2022

Short description of the project
The purpose of the project DIT4BEARS is to develop innovative technologies in transport and communication systems and to distribute them through a Living Laboratory in Disruptive Information Technologies (Living Lab DIT4BEARs). As soon as the project includes partners from Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden with their specific core expertise, several use cases led by project partners from each participating country will be implemented within the project. Each use case will utilize Disruptive Information Technologies for solving particular problems in the Barents Euro-Arctic region:
• SmartID: development of identity management system on the basis of blockchain technologies;
• SmartWaste: development of citizen-centric platform for running municipal services (such as waste management);
• SmartRoad: use of disruptive technologies for winter road maintenance in the Kolarctic region;
• ConnectedDeer: development of digital platform inspired by Internet of Things to ensure the safety of reindeers on roads.
The project will also run activities related to monitoring of the best practices, trainings and business cooperation, consulting and advisory services, as well as technical assistance for development of Disruptive Information Technologies (DIT), development of guidelines, self-assessment tools and other methodological materials. The Living Lab DIT4BEARs created during the project will be also used after project’s termination as a platform for further research in DIT.

Website: dit4bears.org/

Lead partner: Luleå University of Technology, Luleå , Sweden
Other partners: * Saint Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO University), Saint-Petersburg, Russia
* Northern (Arctic) Federal University, Arkhangelsk, Russia
* RUSSOFT Association, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
* Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Rovaniemi, Finland
* UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Narvik, Norway

Status: Ongoing
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 2. Fluent mobility of people, goods and knowledge
Thematic objective: 7. Improvement of accessibility to the regions, development of sustainable and climate-proof transport and communication networks and systems

Cross-border innovations in Arctic aquaculture (KO4058 ARCTAQUA)

Programme funding: 2 088 701 € Total budget: 3 255 582 €

Duration: 04.12.2019 - 30.11.2022

Short description of the project
Most of the population in the Arctic regions concentrates near coastal areas or close to lakes, and one of the historically most lucrative activities in these regions have been fisheries. This sector includes a number of jobs not only in fisheries but also in related businesses, such as retailing, suppliers and processers. To develop in a sustainable way, Arctic aquaculture needs to expand and implement environmentally friendly farming and feeding practices. SMEs alone cannot make all the needed innovation work and need support from research partners to implement new practices under commercial conditions.
ARCTAQUA project will contribute to an expansion of an economic, ethical and environmentally sustainable aquaculture industry in the Arctic region. The project aims at solving major production bottlenecks for a more resource efficient fish farming with high economic value. In alternative to most of marine farming projects focused on Atlantic salmon, ARCTAQUA deals with other fish species (whitefish, nelma, wolfish, Arctic char). These species have a high economic value and have proved to be suitable for farming in the Arctic region. The strength of ARCTAQUA lies in gathered, complementary scientific expertise within the consortium and in close collaboration with SMEs from Russia, Sweden, Finland and Norway.

Website: blogg.nord.no/arctaqua/

Lead partner: Nord University, Bodø, Norway
Other partners: * Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
* University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
* Murmansk State Technical University, Murmansk, Russia
* Berg State Research Institute on Lake and River Fisheries, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
* Akvatik AS, Bodø, Norway
* Sigerfjord Fisk AS, Sortland, Norway
* Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke), Oulu, Finland

Status: Ongoing
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

ArcticSkills (KO4035)

Programme funding: 711 831 € Total budget: 1 084 910 €

Duration: 01.01.2020 - 31.12.2022

Short description of the project
Access to sufficient and adequate vocational competence is a long term and fundamental problem for the sparsely populated Northern regions. Businesses and enterprises, and their organizations, have been monitoring this problem for a long time, and addressed it to political authorities in various forms. The link between low recruitment, graduation rate and lack of labour force, is self-evident, and rooted in the low status and popularity of vocational skills among young people. Cooperation between colleges, enterprises, labour market organizations and career advisers is needed to meet this challenge.
ArcticSkills project aims at improvement of the current situation and increase of visibility, status and pride for vocational education in the cross-border areas between Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia. The project partners share a strong belief that a competition in vocational skills between students and apprentices can contribute to increase the status of vocational education. Project activities range from international competitions and conferences to cross-border exchange of students and apprentices, practice in enterprises and signing of cooperation agreements between business companies and educational institutions. By using the competition as a platform for dialogue between businesses, schools and politicians, the project intends to reach its goals.

Website: arcticskills.com/

Lead partner: Kirkenes Upper Secondary School, Norway
Other partners: * Organization for private training offices in Finnmark County, Hesseng, Norway
* Kemi-Tornionlaakso Municipal Education and Training Consortium Lappia, Tornio, Finland
* Murmansk Technological College of Service (MTCS), Murmansk, Russia
* Tornedalsskolan, Haparanda, Sweden
* Sàmi Institute for Education, Inari, Finland
* Sàmi High School and Reindeer Husbandry School, Kautokeino, Norway
* Lapland Education Centre REDU, Rovaniemi, Finland
* Utbildning Nord, Övertorneå, Sweden
* Gränsälvgymnasiet, Övertorneå, Sweden

Status: Ongoing
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Northern Axis – Barents Link (KO4159 NABL)

Programme funding: 1 031 412 € Total budget: 1 246 904 €

Duration: 04.11.2019 - 31.05.2022

Short description of the project
The main objective of the NABL project is to improve cross-border mobility and east-west transport corridors in the Kolarctic region. Currently, the east-west transport networks and their continuations to Northern Sea Route are either non-existing, non-continuous or not in proper condition. This goes to road, railway, airborne transport, which hindrances regional development in the area. The project activities will increase understanding and define economic viability of several transport initiatives aimed at development of east-west transport networks. The project will produce joint evaluation instruments and infrastructure solutions, necessary for harmonized development of transport corridors. Involvement of relevant decision makers and organizations responsible for maintenance and development of transport links ensures sustainability of project results and their use in construction and operation of roads. Better transport links between neighbor regions will be beneficial both for their residents, business companies, regional authorities and also for tourists coming to the Kolarctic region.

Website: keep.eu/projects/24994/Northern-Axis-Barents-Link-EN/

Lead partner: Regional Council of Kainuu, Kajaani, Finland
Other partners: * Futurum AS, Narvik, Norway
* Northern (Arctic) Federal University, Arkhangelsk, Russia
* The Local Federation of East Lapland, Kemijärvi, Finland
* Strategic Partnership «North-West», Saint-Petersburg, Russia
* Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
* Arkhangelsk regional road administration, Arkhangelsk, Russia
* Association of International Road Carriers, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
* Nenets Oil Company, Iskateley settlement, Russia
* Finnish Transport Agency, Oulu, Finland
* UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Narvik, Norway

Status: Ongoing
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 2. Fluent mobility of people, goods and knowledge
Thematic objective: 7. Improvement of accessibility to the regions, development of sustainable and climate-proof transport and communication networks and systems

DeConcrete: Eco-efficient Arctic Technologies Cooperation (KO4068 DeConcrete)

Programme funding: 820 313 € Total budget: 1 178 125 €

Duration: 15.10.2019 - 31.12.2022

Short description of the project
Concrete is a second most consumed artificial material in the building industry. The building sector keeps high speeds of development in the North. However, construction faces certain problems connected to re-using large volumes of reinforced concrete wastes and search for optimal technological and economic methods for their recycling. Of special concern are also environmental issues, such as eco-efficient approach to waste handling and contamination (dust) reducing.
DeConcrete project is implemented by consortium of relevant universities with strong support from industrial companies (e.g. Norwegian Cold Concrete Cluster with 34 member organizations) and regional authorities. The overall aim of the project is to enhance cross-border Arctic Technologies Cooperation between industry, academia and R&D communities for the growth of circular economy in the Kolarctic region. This will be achieved by joint activities: comparison of existing demolition practices, case studies and laboratory testing of new demolition techniques, development of waste management strategy and recommendations for the most eco-efficient approaches to reuse and recycling of construction materials (concrete), dissemination of project results among business companies and other stakeholders.

Website: en.uit.no/project/deconcrete

Lead partner: Northern (Arctic) Federal University, Arkhangelsk, Russia
Other partners: * UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Narvik, Norway
* Northern Research Institute Narvik, Narvik, Norway
* University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland


Status: Finalised
Achievements: DE-CONCRETE project focused on concrete materials, demolition, and reuse. It contributed to better knowledge in the topic and consequently impacted to safety and risk reductions in concrete industry and operations. The work of the project was divided into 6 work packages that were fulfilled up to the possible level. There were two main obstacles, namely the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of LP from Russia. Despite that, there was research activities consisting of 32 experiments and various testing to prove the sustainability of the De-Concrete concept for the concrete industry. The work was published and disseminated. All the partners delivered above expectations: in total 30 publications, presentations, and study materials were realised. Achieved results were disseminated to the industries on regional, national and international levels in the form of matchmaking results of companies, workshops, meetings, seminars and conferences. The project participated or organised 24 events. The DECONCRETE project has built a good partnership in cross-border cooperation.
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

From Idea to Printing of Metal Products (KO4012 I2P)

Programme funding: 654 461 € Total budget: 1 011 564 €

Duration: 01.10.2019 - 31.12.2022

Short description of the project
3D-printing is ranked by recognized international experts among the ten most important future technologies in industrial production. In short, this technology can be described as follows: the laser beam scans the programmed shape of a future product to melt the metal powder and to gradually grow the new product, layer by layer. During the last years 3D-printing, also called additive manufacturing (AM) became strongly implemented in certain regions and by certain companies while others are still very reluctant, including the Kolarctic area. 3D-printing is far more than just substituting one manufacturing technique by another. AM offers to skip a number of manufacturing steps, new opportunities for design and function of products, very efficient production in terms of low costs and low environmental impact. Although additive manufacturing offers high potential, it is hard to unlock it, particularly for SMEs, because AM requires knowledge and skills for more complex, sophisticated changes, which are difficult to acquire.
I2P project faces this challenge and offers a substantial initiative to enhance the skills and resources in 3D-printing of metal products. The project will enhance awareness on opportunities and limitations of this promising technology among industrial enterprises. Consequently, I2P will be a starting point for development of new business ideas applicable for small and medium-sized enterprises. It will also make input into growth of business, employment rate and attractiveness of the Kolarctic region.

Website: keep.eu/projects/24988/From-Idea-to-Printing-of-Me-EN/

Lead partner: Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
Other partners: * Mekinor Metall AB, Kalix, Sweden
* Saltvik Plogen AS, Narvik, Norway
* The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
* Northern Arctic Federal University, Arkhangelsk, Russia
* Sozvezdye, Arkhangelsk, Russia
* Filtra Group Oy, Oulu, Finland
* University of Oulu, Finland

Status: Ongoing
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Reconstruction of the road Kaamanen-Kirkenes (KO3001 ROKK)

Programme funding: 4 089 871 € Total budget: 5 000 000 €

Duration: 01.03.2019 - 28.02.2022

Short description of the project
Roads that go through borders between countries are not just roads, they are bridges between cultures. And these bridges must be maintained in a good condition, which is the goal of the project “Reconstruction of the road Kaamanen-Kirkenes”.
The road between Kaamanen and Neiden has a high risk of accidents, wildlife and reindeer collisions, road closings and high emissions of greenhouse gases. These conditions contribute to the decreased potential for both transport and people-to-people connections and cooperation in the Northern Barents area.
This project contributes to deeper cooperation between the road authorities of Norway, Finland and Russia. Project's main output is an improved road, which is being utilized by all road users. Moreover, the exchanged know-how of road designing and construction will be implemented by each partner in their further activities. The project has a clear cross border effect as a better road makes it easier to move between the countries of the Barents region. Business, transport companies, consumers and producers in Russia, Sweden, Norway and Finland all benefit from a road with higher standard, better safety, better accessibility, and shorter travelling time.

Website: keep.eu/projects/24997/Reconstruction-of-the-road--EN/

Lead partner: Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Bodø, Norway
Other partners: * Finnish Transport Agency, Helsinki, Finland
* Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Enviroment for Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
* Murmanskavtodor, Murmansk, Russia
* Project Management Centre, Murmansk, Russia

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The main achievment in the project is 12 km with upgraded road between Kaamanen in Finland and Neiden in Norway. This road is the northernmost east-west road connection in the Barents region. The upgrading of the road is a safer, more reliable and environmentally friendly road for peoples and goods. Another important result of the project is the exchange of knowledge about building roads across the borders. The project has also led to good relations between road authorities in Russia, Finland and Norway. This is a good starting point for further cooperation in other projects.
Type of the project: Large Infrastructure Projects
Priority axis: 2. Fluent mobility of people, goods and knowledge
Thematic objective: 7. Improvement of accessibility to the regions, development of sustainable and climate-proof transport and communication networks and systems

Arctic Coast Bioremediation (KO1001 ACBR)

Programme funding: 1 258 920 € Total budget: 1 398 799 €

Duration: 15.10.2018 - 31.10.2021

Short description of the project
The risk of oil spills has become a real threat due to the expansion of the oil and gas industry and transportation activities in the Arctic. Spills in the vicinity of the coast are the most dangerous, as their effects can last for years and even decades.
The most promising method of remediation of oil-polluted coastal zones is a biotechnological approach based on natural self-recovery processes in the environment. The biotechnology that was created within the project is based on three components: oil-degrading microorganisms, sorbents and plants which will allow to restore the vegetation in the oil-polluted territories.

Website: www.syke.fi/en-US/Research__Development/Research_and_development_projects/Projects/Arctic_Coast_Bioremediation__ACBR

Lead partner: FBI State Regional Centre for Standardization, Metrology and Testing in the Murmansk Region (MCSM), Murmansk, Russia
Other partners:
* Institute of Industrial Ecology Problems of the North of the Kola Science Center of Russian Academy of Science (INEP KSC RAS), Apatity, RUSSIA
* OOO Storvik Consult, Murmansk, RUSSIA
* Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Helsinki, FINLAND
* UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsö, NORWAY

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The project developed an integrated biotechnology for cleaning oil-contaminated coastal areas of the Arctic seas, including methods of bioremediation (biostimulation, bioaugmentation, biological-sorption treatment and phytoremediation) applied separately or together. Bioaugmentation with two local arctic oil-degrading biopreparations: based on microfungi (Tolypocladium inflatum, Meyerozima guilliermondii) and based on microfungi and bacteria (Penicillium janthinellum, Penicillium simplicissimum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida) were shown to enhance oil biodegradation at low temperature. However, the fungal inoculum caused changes to the native microbial community. The biotechnology can be applied at the final stage of coast cleanup, and as the only cleanup method in vulnerable areas. Advantages: - natural cleanup mechanisms; - low impact on environmental objects, making the cleanup possible without major damage to coastal ecosystems; - relatively low costs and requirements for personnel qualifications. Furthermore, the project gained new knowledge on the native microbial community in arctic seawater, seashore sand and soil and knowledge on new so far unknown oil degradation genes that can be exploited in the future.
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Raja-Jooseppi BCP development and reconstruction; traffic arrangements, buildings and technology (KO3002 Raja-Jooseppi)

Programme funding: 10 305 000 € Total budget: 11 450 000 €

Duration: 01.03.2019 - 30.06.2022

Short description of the project
When we talk about cross border checkpoints, we should not only mention the speed of border crossing and comfort of the travelers, but also the staff and their working conditions.
Current BCP building and traffic areas do not meet Finnish Customs or Border Guards requirements for customer services and controls. Finnish Customs need new facilities and equipment to control growing cargo traffic. In order to ensure more fluent border crossing procedures and improve capacity of Raja-Jooseppi BCP, the project includes new customs/border control building, new traffic management arrangements including lane check area with roof structure, lane check facilities (booths) and facilities for further measures (second line) as well as all border control technology for border checks, border surveillance and customs control.
The objective of the project is a smoother border crossing between Russia and Finland/EU. This will strengthen and sustain local and regional economic development in the Kolarctic area. Final beneficiaries are inhabitants of Northern Finland and Northwest Russia.

Website: keep.eu/projects/24998/Raja-Jooseppi-BCP-developme-EN/

Lead partner: Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Helsinki, Finland
Other partners: • Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Lapland, Finland
• Senate Properties, Finland
• Finnish Border Guard, Finland
• Finnish Customs, Finland
• Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Finland
• Fintraffic Tie Oy (former Intelligent Traffic Management Finland Ltd), Finland
• ANCO Directorate for Development of the St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region Transport System, Russia

Status: Ongoing
Type of the project: Large Infrastructure Projects
Priority axis: 2. Fluent mobility of people, goods and knowledge
Thematic objective: 10. Promotion of border management and border security, mobility and migration management

Barents Region Initiative for Developing Growth and Employability (KO1013 BRIDGE)

Programme funding: 1 145 101 € Total budget: 1 272 333 €

Duration: 15.10.2018 - 30.06.2022

Short description of the project
The project BRIDGE will enhance employability of university graduates; help to overcome a gap between requirements of SME and students’ competence level. BRIDGE provide firms with opportunity for becoming acquainted with future employees, students for meeting potential employers. Crossborder tourism, critical income source in peripheries, will be main field of action. BRIDGE relies on supporting international knowledge mobility. Existing partnership of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) serves partnership building with SME.

Overall objective is support of youth employment and economic growth by building a joint education platform of Higher Education Institutions and SME’s. International groups of last-year students will write pre-graduation theses for firms, solving tasks in product/service innovation, customer development, market entry. Student competencies span Business and Tourism Management, Information Technology, Law, Language and Intercultural communication. As home country ambassadors, students help solving cross-border business communication problems.

Website: kolarcticbridge.com/

Lead partner: UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Alta, Norway
Other partners:
* Murmansk Arctic State University, Murmansk, RUSSIA
* Petrozavodsk State University, Petrozavodsk, RUSSIA
* ITMO University St Petersburg, St. Petersburg, RUSSIA
* Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Rovaniemi, FINLAND

Status: Finalised
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

General Furnishing and Surface Infrastructure Development of the Kola-Verhnetulomskiy-BCP Lotta Road (KO3000 LOTTA)

Programme funding: 3 825 000 € Total budget: 4 500 000 €

Duration: 01.11.2018 - 31.10.2021

Short description of the project
Roads are the basis of everyday mobility for large scale business, SMEs and population. Roads connecting territories of neighboring countries are especially important for development of cross-border cooperation, so, their low-quality can be a serious barrier for international mobility.
The car road “Kola-Verhnetulomskiy-BCP Lotta” is the shortest distance from the Russian port city Murmansk to the North of Finland (Inari municipality). The project “General Furnishing and Surface Infrastructure Development of the Kola-Verhnetulomskiy-BCP Lotta Road” has significantly improved transport, economic, tourist and cultural links between neighboring countries by creating equally comfortable and safe conditions for road traffic on both sides of the Russian-Finnish border through investments into road infrastructure (guarding rails, information signs, parking places, etc.). Project activities also have a positive impact on the lives of people living in municipalities along the route.

Website: keep.eu/projects/24996/General-Furnishing-and-Surf-EN/

Lead partner: State organization for managing the roads of the Murmansk region “Murmanskavtodor”, Russia
Other partners: * Autonomous non-commercial organization "Project Management Centre", Murmansk, Russia
* Lapland Development Centre for Economic, Transport and Environment, Rovaniemi, Finland

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The road “Kola - Verkhnetulomsky – BCP Lotta” connects the territories of neighboring countries, this is the shortest distance from the Russian port city of Murmansk to the north of Finland (Inari municipality). The state of the road prior to the implementation of project did not guarantee the safety of the movement of passengers and goods using this route, and, accordingly, limited the rights of citizens to free movement. As a result of project implementation, the road was brought to standards - worn-out sections of the road were repaired, the entire road was equipped with barrier fences, the laboratory was equipped with an asphalt concrete analyzer, which makes it possible to compose asphalt recipes taking into account Arctic conditions, 41 people improved their knowledge. Comparison of the results of public opinion polls among private, public sectors and population of the Murmansk region, carried out before the start of the project (August 2015, 98% of respondents say that the construction of the above-mentioned road is absolutely necessary) and after main project works were implemented (September 2021) showed that 96% of the respondents are satisfied with the quality of the repair and road marking of the road “Kola - Verkhnetulomsky – BCP Lotta”.
Type of the project: Large Infrastructure Projects
Priority axis: 2. Fluent mobility of people, goods and knowledge
Thematic objective: 7. Improvement of accessibility to the regions, development of sustainable and climate-proof transport and communication networks and systems

Salmonid Fish and Freshwater Pearl Mussel– Riverine Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity in the Green Belt of Fennoscandia (KO1017 SALMUS)

Programme funding: 1 776 752 € Total budget: 2 125 815 €

Duration: 01.03.2019 - 31.08.2022

Short description of the project
Healthy cross-border water ecosystems are a prerequisite for ecologically and economically sustainable life in the Program area. The overall objective of this project is to enhance cooperation and to harmonize common practices for assessing status of streams and rivers with a special emphasis on freshwater pearl mussel and salmonid fish. This is achieved by improving the knowledge-base of freshwater pearl mussel populations and by creating new approaches for conservation practices in the river ecosystems of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia. The main target group of the project are authorities responsible for the management of aquatic ecosystems. In addition, public awareness of biodiversity and its importance is raised in the Program area.

Website: www.metsa.fi/salmus

Lead partner: Metsähallitus, Parks and Wildlife Finland, Vantaa, Finland
Other partners:
* Alleco Oy, Helsinki, FINLAND
* University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä; FINLAND
* County Administrative Board of Norrbotten, Luleå, SWEDEN
* Natural Resources Institute Finland, Oulu, FINLAND
* Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research NIBIO, Svanvik, NORWAY
* Karelian Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Science, RUSSIA
* Institute of Industrial Ecology Problems of the North of the Kola Science Center of Russian Academy of Science (INEP KSC RAS), RUSSIA

Status: Ongoing
Achievements: The conservation of northern river ecosystems has been strengthened through professional network with shared practices and effective communication. Biological knowledge of joint river ecosystems has increased substantially in the Kolarctic Programme area. 14 new populations of endangered freshwater pearl mussel (FPM) were discovered, and the viability status of almost 60 mussel and salmonid fish populations was assessed to promote future conservation planning. New conservation methods were developed and included in everyday work practices of participating organizations. Effectiveness of a stream restoration method and eDNA-based searching method for mussels was also verified in the project. In communication efforts, management authorities and the research community linked with the conservation of aquatic environment were provided with plenty of new detailed biological knowledge. Communication for general public attained hundreds of thousands of media hits through various channels. Also, fruitful pro-environmental education aspects were achieved in many school group encounters. Based on our ecosystem service survey, non-monetary services and values were strongly recognized as beneficial across all stakeholder groups. This suggests that non-monetary ecosystem services and values are highly useful components and should be included in future ecosystem service assessments and management work in the cross-border river systems of Green Belt of Fennoscandia
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Adapting management of Barents forests to future climate and economy conditions (KO4040 IMPRESS)

Programme funding: 722 318 € Total budget: 985 420 €

Duration: 20.09.2019 - 30.09.2022

Short description of the project
IMPRESS project addresses the need to combine economic activities in timber industry and long-term values associated with forest ecosystems, such as preservation of biodiversity and carbon storage. Differences among project partner countries in economic and geographic settings call for careful consideration and analysis of existing and emerging forest management practices.
IMPRESS project facilitates introduction of sustainable management approaches into commercial forestry operations across the Barents region. To reach this goal, project partners will:
- identify knowledge gaps limiting use of the most efficient forest management practices,
- organize workshops for Russian, Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish stakeholders to find out their expectations and demands,
- develop training courses and video-guidelines for forester managers,
- synchronize interregional forest management and climate resilience strategies.
In addition to it, demonstration areas will be established to showcase sustainable forestry management solutions. Project results will be spread through a web-based platform, where detailed information on sustainable forest management in high latitudes will be available for interested stakeholders and general public.
IMPRESS will also pay special attention to cooperation with other forestry initiatives in the Barents region. Such collaboration will enhance joint capitalization and promotion of knowledge and activities aimed at maintenance of valuable northern landscapes.

Website: keep.eu/projects/24990/Adapting-management-of-Bare-EN/

Lead partner: World Wildlife Fund, Arkhangelsk, Russia
Other partners: * Swedish Forest Agency, Jönköping, Sweden
* Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
* JSC Ilim Group, Arkhangelsk, Russia
* Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, Rovaniemi, Finland

Status: Ongoing
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Barents Region Transport and Logistics (KO1029 BRTL)

Programme funding: 1492426 Total budget: 1 343 183,00 €

Duration: 15.10.2018 - 30.04.2022

Short description of the project
Decisions of transport and logistics made in Barents Regions have too often been based on national plans only. National transport strategies have been made and Regional Transport Plans implemented being not so much aware of the neighbouring regions´ (countries´) strategies/ plans in this field.
The process of carrying out a joint strategy-level document for the transport of the Barents Region in the state level (Joint Barents Transport Plan, JBTP) started during in 2012 and the document has been updated during the recent years. Now it is time to implement the strategy in the regional level.
The project shall facilitate the platform where the authorities responsible for of co-ordinating of the regional development in the Barents Region can agree upon implementation of the Joint Barents Transport Plan. The target groups are the regional authorities of the Barents Region who are responsible for regional development and especially transport and logistics questions. The beneficiaries are people of the project area who are now suffering from timely non-accessible and other ways limited border crossings and transport networks and who will benefit of improved opportunities of fluent mobility of people, goods and knowledge. As well, the beneficiaries are the transport modes serving the Barents Region and business benefiting of the lower transport costs, which makes their products more competitive in the World market.
Specific objective of the project:
• Better awareness of situation of the main transport corridors in Barents Region.
• Increased level of knowledge of the World transport market and impacts on the Barents Region.
• Better understanding “Green Transport” concept and its meaning to Barents Region.
• Better understanding of current/planned, public/private ITS projects relevant to the Barents region, an implemented ICT based tools supporting the cross-border co-operation
• Increased awareness and common understanding of future transport cross-border cooperation through “Action Plan" of the Barents region transport.

Website: www.kainuunliitto.fi/en/barents-region-transport-and-logistics-brtl

Lead partner: Regional Council of Kainuu, Kajaani, Finland
Other partners:
* Regional Council of Oulu region, Oulu, FINLAND
* Regional Council of North Karelia, Joensuu, FINLAND
* Regional Council of Lapland, Rovaniemi, FINLAND
* Finnmark fylkeskommune, Vadsö, NORWAY
* Troms fylkeskommune, Tromsö, NORWAY
* Nordland fylkeskommune, Bodö, NORWAY
* Norway Public Road Administration, Bodö, NORWAY
* County Administrative Board of Norrbotten, Luleå, SWEDEN
* County Administrative Board of Västerbotten, Umeå, SWEDEN
* State Committee of Transport of Karelian Republic, Petrozavodsk, RUSSIA
* Arkhangelsk Regional Road Administration, Arkhangelsk, RUSSIA
* Strategic Partnership on economic and social development of the North-West federal district, St Petersburg, RUSSIA


Status: Finalised
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 2. Fluent mobility of people, goods and knowledge
Thematic objective: 7. Improvement of accessibility to the regions, development of sustainable and climate-proof transport and communication networks and systems

Supporting Environmental Economic and Social Impacts of Mining Activity (KO1030 SEESIMA)

Programme funding: 1 473 709 € Total budget: 1 637 455 €

Duration: 15.10.2018 - 31.12.2021

Short description of the project
The SEESIMA project aims to raise awareness of technological solutions to environmental impacts of mining activities, in order to reduce environmental impacts and improve economic returns.
The project will provide documentation and dissemination of technological tools that can improve the current practice of mineral processing, both for production and for the waste handling.
The lasting output from the project will be a toolbox of best practice technologies, with guidelines about where and how to use them, and case study examples to illustrate their implementation. This resource can make the knowledge more accessible than is the case at present.
In the first instance, the target group are mining and mineral processing companies, who have the opportunity to implement new technologies (and the need/motivation in terms of environmental compliance fines). In some cases, the valorisation of waste can be the basis for the establishment of new companies to implement the solutions and generate added value. The project results can also assist in improving (social) acceptance of the mining industry amongst regulatory authorities, general public, and prospective workforce.

Website: keep.eu/projects/24974/Supporting-Environmental-Ec-EN/

Lead partner: Northern Research Institute Narvik A.S., Narvik, Norway
Other partners:
* Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, SWEDEN
* Narvik Science Park, Narvik, NORWAY
* University of Oulu, Oulu, FINLAND
* Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, RUSSIA

Status: Finalised
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Ecological Restoration of Arctic Rivers (KO1078 ReArc)

Programme funding: 2 531 776 € Total budget: 2 989 657 €

Duration: 01.01.2019 - 31.12.2022

Short description of the project
On a global level man has always modified the water flow in rivers. River flow has been channelized because of timber floating. Forests and agricultural land have been drained. Construction of a road or railway crossing a river may have meant a change in the water flow. This has in many cases led to migration barriers for many aquatic species, nutrients and heavy metals released from the ground to the river, and erosion of the ground
All this has a negative effect on river biodiversity.
Various rivers, from Nordland to Kola Peninsula, are the focus of ReArc. ReArc expects strive to achieve the following measurable results:
198 km of watercourse will be mapped in preparation for ecological restoration;
208 km of watercourse will be restored to increase the ecological status;
33 migration barriers for fish and other organisms will be remediated, which will open up 553 km of watercourse accessible for migration;
32 destroyed spawning areas for fish will be restored;
9 km of erosion protection will be rebuilt with regard to the environment;
3 km of flooding- or erosion protection will be moved or removed.

Website: www.facebook.com/ReArc.project

Lead partner: County Administrative Board of Norrbotten, Luleå, Sweden
Other partners:
* Pechenga local public organization on ecological enlightenment "EcoCentre", Nikel, RUSSIA
* Metsähallitus, Parks and Wildlife Finland, Vantaa, FINLAND
* Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Lapland, Rovaniemi, FINLAND
* Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, Narvik, NORWAY

Status: Ongoing
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Green Arctic Building (KO1089 GrAB)

Programme funding: 1 544 451 € Total budget: 1 716 057 €

Duration: 01.01.2019 - 31.12.2022

Short description of the project
A large share of existing buildings and urban areas in the Nordic and Russian Arctic do not accomplish the latest requirements for environmental sustainability and economic efficiency. For this reason, the objective of the project wants to upgrade the urban environment with change towards environmental innovations of “green buildings” and improve the quality of life, plus the social and economic activity in the Barents Region. This is directed at municipalities, companies, students, building owners, organisations and general public, these are the main target groups and beneficiaries.
The main activities to be implemented by the project are indicated in five groups. The first one is focused on green technologies and the project aims to evaluate the urban environmental quality and buildings standards to implement this in a green building setting. The second activity is about the comparative analysis of the existing environmental requirements, rules and regulations in construction. Pilot projects is the third one, based on building demonstration of green facilities from previous activities. The fourth one is about the capacity building to disseminate and exploit the results of the project to achieve a foundational impact on green building. The last one is a general management of and follow-up the project,

Website: site.uit.no/grab/

Lead partner: UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
Other partners:
*Murmansk State Technical University, Murmansk, RUSSIA
*Petrozavodsk State University, Petrozavodsk, RUSSIA
*Umeå University, Umeå, SWEDEN
*University of Oulu, Oulu, FINLAND

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The project has contributed to and succeeded in demonstration of the advantages of green buildings and thereby laid the basis for further commercial development of green technology in the Barents region. The project also developed educational modules on green arctic buildings, which will be used to educate future engineers in this field. The educational modules are based on the work of work packages A1, A2 and A3, and hence contain the main outputs from the project. This will enable the project results to be integrated in education and thus provide impact from the project for many years ahead.
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Cross-border dialogue and Multi-Use Planning in the Pasvik and Grense Jakobselv catchments (KO1110 Multi-Use Plan)

Programme funding: 363 733 € Total budget: 404 148 €

Duration: 01.12.2018 - 30.09.2021

Short description of the project
The overall objective of this project is to sustain and improve the state of the environment within Pasvik and Grense Jakobselv cross-border river basins, to the benefit of local people, and to increase the viability of the local economy.
The project output will be a revised Multi-Use Plan document for the river basins of Pasvik and Grense Jakobselv published by the end of 2019.
The target groups in the planning process will include regional authorities and the municipalities of Pechenga (Russia), Sør-Varanger (Norway) and Inari (Finland), local enterprises and industry, hydropower companies, research- and monitoring institutions, non- governmental organisations (NGO’s) as well as other representatives of the local population in the area.

Website: keep.eu/projects/24978/Cross-border-dialogue-and-M-EN/

Lead partner: The Office of the Finnmark County Governor, Vadsø, Norway
Other partners:
*Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Lapland, Rovaniemi, FINLAND
*Pasvik State Nature Reserve, Nikel, RUSSIA

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The project has facilitated the planning process resulting in a new, joint Multi-Use Plan for Pasvik and Grense Jakobselv (Vuorjema). The new plan will be a tool for the joint, environmental management of the transboundary catchments in the time span till 2030. The plan includes a Programme of Measures (PoM) for the years 2021-2030. The PoM has separate trilateral goals and measures within the following planning topics: 1) Industrial pollution 2) Water regulations 3) Waste water (sewage) from households 4) Ecological enlightenment, environmental information and citizen science 5) Land fills 6) Gold panning 7) Forestry 8) Tourism- environmental effects 9) Nature protection 10) Pink salmon 11) Changes to the river environment: erosion control structures and canalization The plan also gives recommendations for future monitoring of the environmental status in the border area and guidelines for follow-up of the PoM. The project has succeeded in producing a plan with similar content for all three all countries. It is a substantial achievement to write and agree on a text of total 66 pages, along with a total of 48 measures, taking into account that 39 institutions from three different countries have been involved. In the 1996- plan, we only had joint recommendations for the catchments. In this revision, we have succeeded in identifying concrete measures and responsible organizations. We have also identified follow-up mechanisms (structures) which will ease the realization of the measures. The PoM is, therefore, an improvement as to the previous plan.
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Geo-Bio Hazards in the Arctic Region (KO1115 HazArctic)

Programme funding: 1 165 275 € Total budget: 1 294 750 €

Duration: 14.01.2019 - 30.04.2022

Short description of the project
HazArctic –project approaches environmental problems and risks of geo-bio hazards in the Arctic Region. It will study areal extension, mechanism and risk for oxidation of environments which can produce hazardously acid substances, both in man-made mining areas and potentially hazardous sulfur bearing Litorina clay sediments. Also the role of microbes in the geo-bio interaction in possible hazardous environments will be studied. In addition, studies related to the mine environments, for example stability of closed and open mines and mine tailings reuse, will be carried out. Project will also focus on training and analyzing of best practices.

Website: keep.eu/projects/24979/Geo-Bio-Hazards-in-the-Arct-EN/

Lead partner: Geological Survey of Finland, Rovaniemi, Finland
Other partners:
*Natural Resources Institute Finland, Helsinki, FINLAND
*Geological Survey of Sweden, Uppsala, SWEDEN
*Geological Institute of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, RUSSIA
Mining Institute of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, RUSSIA
Geological Survey of Norway, Trondheim, NORWAY

Status: Finalised
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 6. Environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation

Agroforestry in Barents region (KO1157 AgroFore)

Programme funding: 754 733 € Total budget: 838 592 €

Duration: 01.11.2018 - 30.04.2022

Short description of the project
As productivity of forestry is lower in northern/arctic areas compared to more southern locations, multiple use of forests should be emphasized in Barents region. Agroforestry, a practice which intentionally combines agriculture and forestry to create integrated and sustainable land-use systems, is one potential but poorly understood and developed practice of forest multiple use. Potential agroforestry practices suitable for Barents region conditions are forest farming of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) like wild berries and mushrooms, effective utilization of wild herbs and production of high-quality regional honeys.
Agrofore project develops and tests combinations of diversified farming systems which integrate trees, shrubs, other plants and livestock production. The project seeks to achieve better understanding on how agroforestry systems function in Barents region in different kinds of environments.

Website: agroforestryproject.eu/

Lead partner: Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Rovaniemi, Finland
Other partners:
*Northern Arctic Federal University, Arkhangelsk. RUSSIA
*Natural Resources Institute Finland, Helsinki, FINLAND
*Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Tromsø. NORWAY

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The project has carried out profitability analysis of agroforestry farming concepts. It has surveyed the traditional use of non-timber forest products on the different countries and regions of the programme area, and the practices which may have the most potential in the future. There are piloting report of some selected agroforestry activities – including evaluations of the results. A pilot version for a virtual tool for modelling and planning of agroforestry activities has been established The project boosted a very active knowledge and experience exchange between nature product experts on the programme area, which has enhanced a future cooperation
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Arctic Railway Infrastructure in Kolarctic (KO2011 ARINKA II)

Programme funding: 1 528 207 € Total budget: 1 698 008 €

Duration: 15.10.2018 - 31.10.2021

Short description of the project
The railway infrastructure has a central role in the Kolarctic region and enables efficient transportation of ore, timber, goods and passengers both inside and out of the region. In Europe and the Kolarctic region, there is an increasing demand for the railways to be better utilized through heavier, longer, faster and more frequent trains. This, together with the harsh arctic conditions, causes certain requirements for the railway infrastructure.
The project’s overall objective has been to exchange railway technological know-how and best-practice solutions to stakeholders within the railway sector, with the goal of making railways in Kolarctic more reliable through better utilization of the railway infrastructure, improved maintenance and repair practices and new and innovative solutions to monitor the condition of the railway.

Website: arinka.eu/

Lead partner: Northern Research Institute Narvik. Narvik, Norway
Other partners: *Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, SWEDEN
*Trafikverket, Luleå, SWEDEN
*Bane NOR, Hamar, NORWAY
*Lapland University of Applied Scienses, Rovaniemi, FINLAND
*Finnish transportation Agency, Oulu, FINLAND
*Federal State Budget Educational Institution for Higher Educational "Empreror Alexander I St. Petersburg State Transport University", St. Petersburg, RUSSIA
*Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, RUSSIA
*October Railway - Branch of Joint Stock Company "Russian Railways", Murmansk, RUSSIA

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The project was divided into the following work packages: • WP 1 – Management & coordination • WP 2 – Competence building and cross-border experience transfer • WP 3 – Railway infrastructure (Track components & Substructure) • WP 4 – Railway operation, maintenance, and repair practices • WP 5 – Railway monitoring and sensor technology The project has carried out extensive surveys of the railways in the Kolarctic region. Comprehensive descriptions of how the different lines are built and which components are used have been made. The current maintenance and repair practices have been recognized. Similarities and differences, as well as existing challenges, have been identified and thoroughly described in several mapping reports. A selection of the identified challenges has formed a basis for implementing several benchmarking studies and use cases to find better or best practice solutions to the challenges on the railways in Kolarctic. The project has also established a cross-border network within railway technology focusing on the Kolarctic railway network. The network consists of railway administrations and universities/ research institutes from the Kolarctic region (Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia).
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 2. Fluent mobility of people, goods and knowledge
Thematic objective: 7. Improvement of accessibility to the regions, development of sustainable and climate-proof transport and communication networks and systems

Facility Management of Residential Buildings in Barents Region (KO1087 FAMARB)

Programme funding: 789 460 € Total budget: 877 177 €

Duration: 01.12.2018 - 31.08.2022

Short description of the project
Nordic countries and the Russian north are located in the arctic and subarctic areas and have similar climatic conditions, where temperature difference between winter and summer conditions can exceed 70°C. Buildings in these areas are affected by climate in the same manner. Low temperatures, snowy and icy weather, strong winds have impact on how we build, operate and live in our buildings. Existing building methodologies are often based on traditional solutions that have proven their efficiency, and sharing this competence between the countries can give valuable insight and new ideas to products, materials and methods that are more sustainable.
The essence of the FAMARB project is to bring effective operation and management of residential buildings into focus by adapting various concepts of energy efficiency and energy saving through upgrading or renovation that will improve maintenance of buildings and decrease emissions to the environment.

Website: site.uit.no/famarb/

Lead partner: UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
Other partners:
*Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Oulu, FINLAND
*Northern Arctic Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Arkhangelsk, RUSSIA
*RISE Research Institute of Sweden, Borås, SWEDEN

Status: Ongoing
Achievements: The partners in the project have increased their knowledge and can further utilize the results. One of the main outputs was a FM-booklet accessible from the project website. It is unlikely that the results can be implemented on a large scale without some sort of continuation of the project, i.e., a second phase. Because of this, and the reasons mentioned below, the goal of achieving long term impact and sustainability has not been met. Some recommendations as well as preliminary results from the case study (partly refurbished dormitory in Arkhangelsk, Russia) have been presented to a wider audience at venues such as symposiums and conferences. Due to the pandemic, these have been held online for a much smaller crowd of people than was intended. As such, effective operation and management of buildings in the Barents region has not been demonstrated to a large audience, as was originally planned. To some extent, results from the case study have benefitted the project. Still, as the Russian partner is isolated because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it is only they that can capitalize on these work activities in the foreseeable future. The website will remain active for some time after project completion. It will not be maintained and will mostly serve as a reference (c.f. the FM-booklet) for the public, as a general information page, and a historical record of project activities. Neither will the Facebook page about the project be maintained. Despite the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, working together in the project has strengthened the multilateral cooperation and understanding between the four project partners. The trip outside the region (Dresden) spawned ideas for further project collaboration, some of which have been followed up in meetings between the Nordic partners
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Barents On Time (KO2020 BoT)

Programme funding: 177709 Total budget: 257990

Duration: 01.03.2019 - 31.03.2021

Short description of the project
The boundaries between Russia, Finland and Norway are crossed daily by hundreds of travelers. Traveling by bus is not always convenient and efficient: poor connection to domestic bus routes and air routes, no joint information platform with destinations and timetables, and limited possibilities for buying tickets online.

The project “Barents On Time” (BoT) has an objective to increase cross-border traffic, tourism and cooperation by establishing a solid, safe, accessible and user-friendly cross-border bus transport network in the region and improving the attractiveness of public transport.
The specific objective of the project was to provide cross-border travelers with up-to-date tools and services for using public transport.

Website: barentsontime.com/

Lead partner: Finnmark County Authority, Norway
Other partners: OOO Murmansky avtovokzal, Russia
Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Lapland (Lapland ELY-centre), Finland

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The main activities of the project were the following: 1) The project conducted consumer research among the passengers and bus operators to identify challenges and areas for improvements, as well as needs for new routes and services. 2) The project developed a website (www.barentsontime.com) with necessary information about cross-border public transport (destinations, bus operators, cross-border procedures, visa/passport requirements, articles about the project and the latest news and information about cross-border bus transportation. 3) The project developed the Emergency Plan in a form of a brochure for the bus companies with information on bus driver’s actions in case of a road accident, fire and emergencies. The brochure also includes the contact details of safety authorities and other useful information. 4) The project installed 2 information screens with electronic timetables at bus stops in Kirkenes (Norway) and 2 information screens in the ticket office in Murmansk (Russia). 5) The customer survey results were provided to the transport authorities and bus operators to help them to make cross-border bus transportation and timetables more efficient when the borders are open. The project developed a tool for cross-border bus traffic with information about destinations, bus operators and routes they are operating, border-crossing procedures and visa requirements. The project has also managed to establish a solid platform of cooperation between the participating partners, which will be important for rebuilding the border crossing transport after Covid-19, and also has an important role in cooperation altogether. The COVID-19 pandemic broke out in the middle of the project implementation period resulting in closed borders and a complete stop of the cross-border bus traffic and tourism.
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 2. Fluent mobility of people, goods and knowledge
Thematic objective: 7. Improvement of accessibility to the regions, development of sustainable and climate-proof transport and communication networks and systems

Development of common approaches to involvement youth into science and technical sphere (KO2071 BeTech!)

Programme funding: 1 231 506 € Total budget: 1 368 339 €

Duration: 14.11.2018 - 31.12.2021

Short description of the project
The project goal was to establish Technical Business Thinking among children and youth in the Barents region. This project aimed to contribute to raising motivation of school children to learn science and raising their interest to be involved into business and industrial sector.
The project partners are interested that all possible regional structures from regional authorities to representatives and educational institutions, from small and medium business to representatives of large-scale enterprises unite their capacities and support children's interests to science and technical issues in the Barents region. Main target groups of the project were young people aged 12-16, school teachers, and companies representing science and technology. The project activities included:
• Development of guidelines on integrating technical and business issues into school education;
• Pilot events to test new type of education (seminars and round tables for teachers, events to test new educational activities and involving business structures);
• Festivals of professions;
• Science and technical shows for pupils from Norway, Finland and Russia.
Among other project events study visits to industrial and town forming enterprises of the Barents region were organised. Business representatives were invited to school visits.


Website: www.oulu.fi/edu/betech

Lead partner: Municipality of Alta, Alta, Norway
Other partners:
*Murmansk Arctic State University, Murmansk, RUSSIA
*UiT The arctic university of Norway, Alta, NORWAY
*University of Oulu, Oulu, FINLAND
*Limited Liability Company "Education, innovation, science and research union "Socium+", Murmask, Russia
* Association of Arctic projects contractors "Murmanshelf", Murmansk, Russia

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The project has implemented benchmarking and study of best practices of educational systems raising motivation to science and technology and business needs and demands in the programme region, and joint seminars / round tables for teachers. Pilot events and festivals of professions for children on scientific and technical issues on international level, with active participation of business representatives. Study visits of school pupils to large industrial companies in the programme region and regular meetings between school pupils and businesses represented in the programme region. Surveys and research articles have been conducted and the BeTech guidelines approaching research and recommendation for interventions in science and mathematics has been elaborated.
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Kolarctic Food Refining CBC Project (KO2072 KFR)

Programme funding: 2 322 396 € Total budget: 2 580 439 €

Duration: 10.10.2018 - 31.05.2022

Short description of the project
This project develops by means of cross-border-cooperation handling and refining of reindeer meat and wild forest berries. Many of the project participants are companies from Finland and Russia, representing reindeer meat and forest berry business and other expert organisations.
As to the reindeer meat and by-products, the specific objective is to use and refine in cross-border-cooperation more and better than earlier the ecologically pure and healthy products from the reindeer husbandry in Murmansk region and Nenets Autonomous district. The project seeks to improve the profitability of the partners, with additional working places and increasing income as a result.
As to the forest berry products, the specific objective is to use and refine in cross-border-cooperation more and better than earlier the ecologically pure and healthy forest berries from the Murmansk region and Finnish Lapland.

Website: www.kolarcticfood.com/

Lead partner: NordConsult Oy, Rovaniemi, Finland
Other partners:
*Lihankäsittely Hanhela avoin yhtiö, Ranua, FINLAND
*Arctic Berry Finland Oy, Rovaniemi, FINLAND
*Cooperative KorvatunturinMaan Osuuskunta, Savukoski, FINLAND
*Union “Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Murmansk region/Northern, Murmansk, RUSSIA
*SPK "Put Ilitsa", Khorey-Ver, RUSSIA
*OOO "Kolsky kray", Murmansk, RUSSIA
*Agricultural Production Cooperative Fishing Collective Farm “Vozrozhdenie”,Teriberka, RUSSIA
*North-West Centre of Food Security Issues (NWCFSI), St. Petersburg, RUSSIA
*Nenets Centre of Energy Efficiency and Cleaner Production (NCEECP), Naryan-Mar, RUSSIA
*SHPK "Tundra", Lovozero, RUSSIA

Status: Finalised
Achievements: Reindeer husbandry and natural berries are traditional livelihoods in the Kolarctic CBC region. Kolarctic Food refining has worked in improving the viability of them. The project has arranged training in production, training in marketing; product development; permissions to import reindeer meat products from Russia to EU; and it has spread knowledge about these industries
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Reindeer Meat – Quality High (KO2124 RMQH)

Programme funding: 574 486 € Total budget: 638 318 €

Duration: 15.10.2018 - 31.07.2022

Short description of the project
The ancient tradition of reindeer husbandry in the northern regions is known throughout the world. Deer meat has become a recognizable brand. However, the industry is facing challenges on both sides of the border. Export of Russian reindeer meat overseas is relatively small. The reindeer meat sales channels are insufficiently developed and its international export needs to be enhanced. At the same time, Finnish reindeer meat producers possess expertise in exporting their products, but export is restricted by the insufficiency of reindeer meat.

The objective of the Reindeer Meat – Quality High Project is to combine the strengths and expertise of Russian and Finnish companies in the reindeer meat production chain: reindeer owners, reindeer slaughterhouses, meat production enterprises and sales companies. This is to be achieved through joint seminars, group visits and practical experience sharing. The outputs of the project are guidelines (manuals and videos) for reindeer meat producers and creation of a joint network and operational concept that supports commercial activities in both countries.

Website: keep.eu/projects/24987/Reindeer-Meat-Quality-High-EN/

Lead partner: Lapin Nahka Oy, Rovaniemi, Finland
Other partners:
*Izhemski olenevod agriculture kolkhoz cooperative, Iskateley, RUSSIA
*Agricultural Production Cooperative HARP, Krasnoye, RUSSIA

Status: Finalised
Achievements: The project investigated the factors that are critical for the international sale of reindeer meat outside Barents region. The project combined the strengths and know-how of Russia and Finland, which could be used to improve the economic profitability of all actors in the chain of the reindeer industry. However, this result could not be realized in the project after 28 February 2022 due to Russia's attack on Ukraine. In the project, instructional materials for meat production have been made for the Russian partners, the use of which has been instructed in meetings in Russia and Finland. The instructional material focuses on general methods of operation, questions related to cutting reindeer meat, and questions related to hygiene in reindeer meat production. Two videos have been made in the project, which focus on how the brand and experience of reindeer meat can be put to good use, especially in marketing aimed at restaurants in each region and when introducing the use of reindeer meat to potential international customers. The project created connections in Finland with ministries, public organizations and development organizations such as the Food Agency and Business Finland's national and international network, as well as Lapland's ELY center. In these contexts, the goals and development needs of the reindeer industry were presented, and tools and resources were sought for future development work.
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Phenomena of Arctic Nature (KO2093 PAN)

Programme funding: 2175915 Total budget: 2615785

Duration: 01.03.2019 - 31.08.2022

Short description of the project
Project’s overall objective is that attraction and awareness of arctic nature and its unique phenomena in tourism market are growing and result in increasing number of tourists, higher income in the local economy and better employment rate in the tourism sector along the northern most part of Green Belt of Fennoscandia. The concrete outputs of the project include permanent exhibitions in nature centres, nature observation bases, and audio-visual shows. Target groups are tourism entrepreneurs, tourists, pupils, students and local people in the Barents area in Russia, Norway and Finland.

Website: www.metsa.fi/fi/web/guest/pan

Lead partner: Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland, Finland
Other partners: Youth Centre Vasatokka, Finland
Institute of Industrial Ecology Problems of the North, Russia
State Nature Reserve Pasvik, Russia
Biotope AS, Norway
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Norway
The Board for the Øvre Pasvik National Park, Norway
Lapland University of Applied Science, Finland
Municipality of Salla, Finland

Status: Ongoing
Achievements: Connecting nature and tourism through workshops for entrepreneurs and managers of nature protection areas: LUAS has accumulated expertise through the workshops arranged in PAN-project. That is capital for the future workshops they will be arranging. Metsähallitus experiences from LUAS’s workshops in Salla and Saariselkä is in nutshell, that it is important to analyse and survey the common customers with tourism businesses. There is aim to arrange similar kind of get-togethers as part of working in the future also. Nibio Svanhovd collected the results from LUAS’s workshop in Norway, and the results will be used when developing the Visitor point Gjøken from summer 2023 on. Nature observation bases in Salla are to be used by individual tourists, tour operators and local people. The local businesses have not yet wrapped up guided packages/services around the observation bases, but they are guiding tourists there. VisitSalla will use nature observation bases actively in their marketing. The plan for reducing the light pollution in Sallatunturi tourism area contains detailed calculations on required lights and techniques for future usage. The cost for renewal of lights was too high to be accomplished within the project. But there is aim to execute the plan later on. Restoration of old log buildings for information and guiding purposes in Gjøkhotellet in Øvre Pasvik, NO. The establishment of Visitor Point Gjøken will be important in the future for the locals, the tourist businesses and for nature dissemination done by the Visitor Centre of Øvre Pasvik National Park. This is a place for experience, activities, and information. Visitor point is open for everybody. Both Nibio and Øvre Pasvik National Park will carry on using the project’s results. New educational materials: It is seen by LUAS, that sustainable tourism is a core concept in their degree programme in tourism, and thus the whole educational material is useful in several study units. The online educational material is maintained, used and updated by the teachers. The online educational material has already been utilized in project time. The educational material is meant for nature-based tourism entrepreneurs, municipalities and tourism destinations, organizations managing nature protection areas and nature centres, students as well as anyone interested in developing nature-based tourism. The materials can be used for example as orientation and educational material, in developing and planning concepts for nature-based tourism services and in strategic business and concept planning. The educational material will be utilized also in other projects related to nature-based tourism and concept planning. In a similar way Vasatokka's educational mobile game is a very tightly part of Youth Centre's work with youth. Metsähallitus made three different educational materials. There is phenological calendar with different tasks complemented with gnome’s letter for each month in Inari, Skolt and Northern Sámi languages. Material was delivered to schools and kindergartens on a monthly basis through a mailing list during project implementation time. Now the materials are been formulated into publications which are to be located in metsa.fi -website for future free usage. Metsähallitus will actively market the publications to schools and kindergardens operating in Sámi languages. Second material is Mountain bikers’ etiquette to national parks. This material has an open lay-out, which can be updated and adopted by any national park. During the project time the material was tailored for Urho Kekkonen and Pyhä-Luosto national parks in Finnish and English. After project ended, the southern national parks in Finland added contents in Swedish to the layout. The theme of the etiquette is very actual as the number of bikers grows constantly. There will be active contacting towards bikers and rental shops in the national parks and in their vicinity made by Metsähallitus staff in the coming years. Hiking game of Pyhä-Luosto national park in visitor centre Naava is a permanent part of the exhibition. Hiking games is playful and interactive content which communicates important topics about sustainable recreational use of national parks. Travelling exhibition about Khibiny: INEP in Russia, Nibio in Norway and Metsähallitus in Finland have their own national copies of the travelling exhibition. The good experience from ABCGheritage - Our common Arctic Biological, Cultural and Geological heritage -project guided partners to make their own copies for easing the exhibiting and increasing the effectiveness of addressing people. Nibio and Metsähallitus are storing the exhibition, and when times should change and nature protection could build new bridges for cross-border cooperation, the travelling exhibition could be used again. Permanent exhibitions in visitor centres. Visitor centres are sights as such, and exhibitions are important part of centres’ services. Metsähallitus has now new exhibitions in Salla Visitor centre and Urho Kekkonen national park’s customer service Kiehinen. Metsähallitus’s visitor centres in Lapland have a central role in the customer service provided for the hikers in national parks and to the tourists visiting the surrounding tourism area. Metsähallitus is proudly presenting and guiding visitors in the exhibitions also in the future. The new exhibitions at Visitor Point Gjøken in Norway will last for a long time and many guest will see it and learn from it every year. Audiovisual shows: Natural phenomena show made by municipality of Salla is shown in Karhunkierros visitor centre in Hautajärvi and in the auditorium of Salla visitor centre (prior known as Poropuisto) and it is also available in Youtube f.ex for tourist company use. The show is also available at Visit Salla -website and used actively by VisitSalla for marketing. AV-show made by Metsähallitus and NIBIO is available in the exhibition of Customer Service Kiehinen and at Visitor point Gjøken. Info-events for school children, youth, students and local people: Metsähallitus continues the cooperation with tourism businesses on a regular basis. There are existing and developing forums between Metsähallitus and tourism businesses operating in specific national parks. Marketing activities: Visit Salla’s good experience in making social media campaign is very likely resulting in futher marketing campaigns in Salla. Creating operational network as part of Green Belt of Fennoscandia initiative based on the network of nature and visitor centres of the nature protection areas and complemented with tourism businesses and other operators. Network along GBF will have only two countries – Finland and Norway – for the nearest future. Metsähallitus has active role for implementing cross-border cooperation with Norway. Hopefully Finnish and Norwegian partners would also find a perfect idea for cross-border cooperation in this field for future.
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development

Ice Operations (KO2100 ICEOP)

Programme funding: 1 093 503 € Total budget: 1 215 002 €

Duration: 15.10.2018 - 31.10.2021

Short description of the project
The ICEOP project main objective is to give increased business development opportunities for oil and gas exploration and production in the arctic by improved maritime accessibility, better knowledge of ice conditions and more accurate models to ensure safe and environmental friendly field developments.
The project has
•Performed field expeditions, measurements and data collection.
•Increased current knowledge base of the Barents Sea area ice conditions.
•Established best practice models/understanding for ice and structure interactions relevant for the Barents Sea.
•Created recommendations for oil and gas field development concepts.

Website: keep.eu/projects/24986/Ice-Operations-EN/

Lead partner: Northern Research Institute Narvik, Narvik, Norway
Other partners:
*Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Arkhangelsk, RUSSIA
*Association of oil and gas suppliers “Sozvezdye”, Arkhangelsk, RUSSIA
*Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, SWEDEN
*Storvik & Co Oy, Oulu, FINLAND
*Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, FINLAND


Status: Finalised
Achievements: Ice conditions in the Barents and Pechora Sea and the Bothnian Sea have been monitored and analyzed by use of SAR data from Sentinel/Copernicus, and advanced methods have been developed for assessing the ice extend, ice thickness and ridge density. An extensive “Field expedition program” has been carried through with expeditions in the Barents Sea (2020 and 2021 with the Arctic Floating University) and the Bothnian Sea (navigation in ice campaigns with the FMI vessel Aranda and the Swedish IB Frej vessel). Large scale share tests of rubble ice carried out in Bay of Bothnia. Significant volume of field data collected. Analysis of field data have been done at the ColdTech laboratories (LTU). Datasets from earlier field expeditions or projects as EU projects Loleif and Strice (load event analysis) and the ColdTech project (ice ridge database and measurement data from the Barents Sea) have also been used to create valuable results for modelling purposes. Models (for rubble ice, level ice, ice-structural interactions and partly ice ridges “db”) within “Ice Mechanics” work package have been developed. Case studies using these models, for concrete foundations in ice infested waters were performed. Marine operations with navigational in ice expeditions were performed in Bay of Bothnia (and metadata set created). Ice maps, ice risk analysis and maps as well as Polaris Rio work for the Barents (north and east) and Pechora Sea have been made. This work has contributed to the finalization of the PhD project “Nonlinear Numerical Simulations of Interactions Between Ice Rubble and Structure by A. Patil SINTEF Narvik”. The ICEOP project has published several scientific articles and within activities as “Education, conferences and workshops” the ICEOP project has contributed in sections for educational programs as the international “Arctic Engineering School” (NArFU). ICEOP has delivered sections (in 2019, 2020 and 2021) at the “international Arctic Forum – Projects today and tomorrow” (Sozvezdye).
Type of the project: Standard Projects
Priority axis: 1. Viability of arctic economy, nature and environment
Thematic objective: 1. Business and SME development