Interreg Arctic Clustering Projects Event
The Interreg Arctic Clustering Projects Event, taking place on 9 December 2026 in Copenhagen, brings together Interreg NPA and Interreg Aurora projects, European Commission representatives, and Monitoring and Steering Committee members from both programmes.
The Interreg Arctic Clustering Projects Event builds on the Interreg Arctic Clustering initiative, which brings Interreg NPA and Interreg Aurora projects together to pool expertise, build on their results, and strengthen cooperation across Arctic and near-Arctic regions.
By connecting projects and decision-makers from both programmes, the event explores the added value of cooperation, enables the exchange of experiences, and discusses how collaborative efforts can extend the reach and impact of project results beyond what individual projects could achieve alone.
The event also provides a forum to reflect on the future of Interreg NPA for 2028–2034 and consider how cooperation can continue to deliver value for Arctic and near-Arctic regions.
Participation in this event is on invitation only.
Tentative Programme
This event brings together Interreg Arctic Clustering projects and programme stakeholders to share experiences, explore the impact of collaborative projects, and reflect on what lies ahead. From project demonstrations and lessons learned to discussions on the future of Arctic cooperation and the Interreg NPA programme, the day offers opportunities to exchange perspectives, discover connections, and contribute ideas for the next chapter of cooperation in the North.
8:30 Registration opens
9:00 - 12:30 Morning Session
Welcome and Introduction
The new EU's Arctic Strategy and the role of Interreg
Interreg Arctic Cooperation: the road to the Clustering call
Interreg Arctic Clustering Projects in Focus: making an impact in key thematic areas
Project demonstrations
Panel: Reflections on the Clustering project experience
12:30 - 14:00 Lunch
14:00 - 16:30 Afternoon session
Looking forward part 1 - the future Arctic Cooperation
Lessons learnt from the Interreg Arctic Cooperation
World café on the benefits of Interreg Arctic Cooperation and the way forward
Looking forward part 2 - the future of Interreg NPA
Key messages from the programme evaluation and emerging topics for cooperation.
Focus groups: future thematic priorities and stakeholder engagement
18:00 Guided tour of the North Atlantic House
18:30 Dinner and entertainment
Interreg Arctic Clustering projects
Learn more about the six Interreg Arctic Clustering Projects approved projects.
Autonomous Environmental Sampling for Enhanced Synergies and Scaled Impact
AUTOsense brings together unique experts and knowledge about digital solutions for agricultural purposes. Monitoring agricultural fields and gathering cohesive, reliable data is crucial to optimize processes and adapt to climate change induced phenomena, e.g. extreme weather events, in rural areas.
OATFRONTIERS works with farmers to gather data about the possibilities of oat farming in new locations. AUTONOMIC develops robotized solutions for environmental monitoring and RoboDemo connects industry and end users to bring possibilities to utilise robotics to wider audiences for higher acceptability.
AUTOsense combines outputs and best practices for broader transnational dissemination to target groups in rural areas, especially end users like farmers, providing institutional capacity building and opportunities for cooperation. AUTOsense organizes engaging workshops on innovative digital solutions, real use cases in agriculture and the environment, and policy implications for authorities.
Total budget: 199.998,11 Eur
Partnership:
Savonia University of Applied Sciences (FI),
Luleå University of Technology (SE),
Teagasc- the Agriculture and Food Development Authority (IE),
Agricultural University of Iceland (IS)
Clustering inclusive territories driven by digital innovation
INCLUDE addresses the common challenge of unlocking the potential that communities have in shaping prosperous, sustainable and resilient territories. This brings implicit the need to overcome factors like skills gap, limited engagement of youth and minority groups in decision-making processes, need for climate change adaptation and the challenging task of creating the conditions to foster place-based economies.
The overall objective is to enhance the capacity of public authorities and their communities to jointly shape and develop their territories.
The main output of the project will be a Community of Practice (CoP), targeted to public authorities and their communities and focused on using digital innovation as the foundation to actively involve the society in the definition and implementation of actions leading into sustainable, prosperous and resilient territories.
The CoP will be initially formed by 24 partners previsouly involved in the MINDSET, InnoGS and Innovation in urban planning projects.
Total budget: 199.873,15 Eur
Partnership:
European Regions Network for the Application of Communications Technology (IE),
Savonia University of Applied Sciences (FI),
The Municipality of Härnösand (SE)
From Lessons Learned to Regenerative Tourism Futures
FFFThe project takes a value-based approach to regenerative tourism, tackling fragile ecosystems, seasonal cycles, and fragmented institutional capacity across the NPA and Aurora regions. Building on REGGAE, REGENERATE, and related projects, it clusters and validates outputs into a practical toolbox and a joint strategic framework for Destination Management Organisations.
Through structured cooperation between national and regional actors, the project maximises impact across borders, ensures transfer of proven solutions to practice, and increases awareness of the added value of cooperation.
By piloting regenerative practices in project events and using clear, motivational communication, it improves uptake of results and embeds regeneration, equality, and resilience into long-term tourism strategies across the programme area.
Total budget: 197.808,52 Eur
Partnership:
Natural Resources Institute Finland (FI),
Visit Reykjanes Iceland (IS),
Gold of Lapland (SE),
Business Kristinestad (FI)
From Waste to Worth: Advancing Sustainable Composites via Natural Fiber Screening
This transnational project aims to accelerate the uptake of circular composite solutions across NPA and Aurora regions by co-developing regional action plans, engaging stakeholders, and showcasing scalable innovations.
Through coordinated mapping, joint strategy development, and targeted dissemination, the project strengthens institutional capacity and fosters regional innovation ecosystems.
Uptake of solutions and strategies by public authorities and SMEs will demonstrate feasibility and support future funding potential. Communication plays a central role, with a lean structure ensuring visibility, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with programme requirements.
Clustering: BIO-2-PRINT and SUSBICO
Total budget: 199.991,99 Eur
Partnership:
Luleå University of Technology (SE),
University of Oulu (FI),
FUTURECAST (IE),
Centria University of Applied Sciences Ltd. (FI)
Cross-program Adoption and Transfer of Arctic Low-carbon Ice-resilient Solutions
The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of public authorities, research institutions, and infrastructure stakeholders across the NPA region to better plan for and manage durable, low-carbon concrete solutions for coastal and offshore environments in Arctic and Atlantic conditions.
By synthesising findings from the Ar2CorD and OFFwind projects, the partnership will produce short, accessible guidance on durability, testing, and material opportunities, complemented by a small-scale observational pilot and a joint roadmap for future collaboration.
The project will establish a lasting transnational network focused on concrete durability in harsh environments, aiming to support the uptake of practical knowledge and align decision-making processes with broader sea-basin and macro-regional strategies.
Total budget: 129.582,58 Eur
Partnership:
Luleå University of Technology (SE),
SINTEF NARVIK (NO),
Novia University of Applied Sciences (FI),
Tampere University Foundation (FI),
University of the Faroe Islands (FO),
The Arctic University of Norway (NO),
University of Iceland (IS)
IHANAT is one of six Interreg Arctic Clustering projects, bringing together resources and expertise from Interreg Aurora and Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic programmes to achieve the best results for Arctic and near-Arctic communities. The project is a cross-border project funded by Interreg Aurora.
IHANAT connects ecological expertise with AI, robotics, and digital technologies to support smarter and more sustainable management of invasive alien species in Arctic and sub-Arctic environments. The project focuses on practical technology adaptation, stakeholder collaboration, and capacity building for nature protection.
