Nordic Council of Ministers launches Arctic programme focused on communities

The initiative will allocate 30 million Danish Kroner (approximately €4 million) over the next three years to focus on addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges in Arctic regions.

“For nearly three decades, the Nordic Council has been involved in Arctic affairs, supporting projects that tackle a wide range of issues,” Secretary General Karen Ellemann said in a statement on Friday. “This new programme is an extension of our commitment to strengthening local communities and increasing resilience to climate change.”

The programme was unveiled ahead of the Arctic Frontiers conference, which begins on January 27 in Tromsø, Norway, where the Nordic Arctic programme will be launched. 

Ellemann said it’s important northern communities are supported as they face the increasingly complex ramifications of shifting environmental conditions.

“Climate change is affecting communities in the Arctic, and it’s essential that we focus on both the environmental and social aspects of resilience to ensure these communities are better equipped to adapt,” she said.

Youth focus 

As part of the programme, the Council is also supporting the Arctic Youth Conference, taking place in Tromsø from January 24 to 26.

“We need to listen to young people who will inherit these challenges,” Ellemann said. “Their perspectives will help shape the future of the Arctic, and I look forward to hearing from the youth representatives at the conference.”

The Nordic Council includes Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark and Norway and the autonomous regions of Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland, an autonomous region of Finland. 

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This story is posted on the Barents Observer as part of Eye on the Arctic, a collaborative partnership between public and private circumpolar media organizations.