Promoting sustainability and resilience in societies in the Arctic region

A new four-year interdisciplinary research project focuses on the rapid changes that have taken place in the Arctic region due to increased globalisation and all the challenges that go along with it. The project was launched last month and is entitled ArcticHubs. It is funded by the EU's Horizon 2020 programme with the primary aim of developing research-based and practical solutions to the challenges now facing the Arctic region.

The combination of globalisation and climate change is bringing about changes in the Arctic region, more significant than anything previously seen. Increased emphasis on sectors such as mining and tourism as well as the industrialisation of many traditional trades, e.g. fishing and forestry, mean that there are ever more frequent conflicts of interest concerning the use of natural resources. This has a profound effect on the wellbeing of both individuals and communities in the Arctic region.

ArcticHubs unites 22 partners from 11 different countries in the Arctic region, from Canada to Russia. The collaborating partners come from universities, research institutes, community organisations, public and private bodies, as well as members of research organisations. Two partners come from Iceland, i.e. one from the University of Iceland, who will be involved in the research into tourism, and one from Hólar University College, who will be leading the research into fish farming.

How can we reduce conflict over the use of natural and cultural resources?

The project  aims to identify and analyse the main driving forces that affect the environment, livelihoods, culture and communities in the Arctic region. Particular emphasis will be placed on the use of land in the region and how to reduce disputes and conflicts of interest caused by different uses of natural and cultural resources. Different interests will be mapped in order to increase understanding of the causal links between stakeholders. Stakeholders will be recruited to help develop methods and techniques to simplify their involvement in land use planning and organising the use of natural resources.

The outcome of the project will involve the creation of an accessible land information system, giving the public a simple way to share their opinions on land use. The research team will also develop, test and introduce guidelines for social licences to operate and future scenarios for the Arctic region in collaboration with stakeholders in all 22 research areas. As well as the research area in Northern European, representatives from Canada, Austria and Italy will also take part in the ArcticHubs project and these regions will be used for comparison purposes.

The project partners are:

• Finland: University of Lapland; Mapita Ltd; Reindeer Herdersʼ Association; Sámi Education Institute.
• Sweden: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Luleå University of Technology; Grans Sameby.
• Norway: NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS; Magma Geopark AS; Norwegian Institute for Nature Research; Nofima; Rogland County Council
• Iceland: University of Iceland, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences; Hólar University College, Department of Aquaculture and Fish Biology.
• Russia: Kola Science Centre
• UK: TouchTD Ltd
• Austria: Universität für Bodenkultur, Vienna
• Italy: University of Turin
• Greenland: Greenland Institute of Natural Resources
• Faroe Islands: University of the Faroe Islands
• Canada: Dalhousie University