...CONNECTING THE DOTS
The 25th anniversary event brought together over 200 participants from across the programme area and beyond to celebrate 25 years of cooperation in the Northern Periphery and Arctic under the conference title "...CONNECTING THE DOTS".
25 years of cooperation met in Bodø
A Community Celebration
Over two inspiring days, we came together to reflect on how the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme has grown, evolved, and created meaningful impact across sparsely populated and northern communities.
From the early foundations of cooperation in the Arctic and near-Arctic regions to today’s focus on sustainability, digital innovation, and resilient communities the NPA story came to life through keynote talks, project showcases, and panel discussions that connected past achievements with future ambitions.
Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, and celebrated this milestone with us. Here’s to the next 25 years of cooperation and positive change across the Northern Periphery and Arctic!
Read the Conference Highlights →
Browse the Conference Pictures →
Scroll down for the event presentations and recordings ↓
1st October - Plenary Sessions Presentations and Recordings
THE BUILDING BLOCKS - On the first day, the conference highlighted Interreg NPA projects’ impacts, where transnational cooperation marks the starting point in a longer journey of learning, growth, and lasting change. The new call for projects was launched at this occasion. Here you can re-watch the plenary sessions and download the presentations of the speakers.
- Opening remarks from Minister Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norway
- Welcome address from Ms Hanne Solheim Hansen, Rector of NORD University
- Message from Mr Slawomir Tokarski, Director European Territorial Cooperation, Macro-regions, Interreg and Programme Implementation, DG Regio, European Commission
This session looked back at the origins and evolution of the Interreg NPA. Key people involved in shaping the programme shared insights and reflections through interviews and discussion.
Facilitated by Christopher Parker, Interreg NPA, and Maxi Nachtigall (former Interreg NPP JS and MC Swedish representative).
Contributions from:
- Mr Moray Gilland, Head of Unit for Macro-regions, Transnational, Interregional and External Cooperation, and Enlargement, Former NPP Desk Officer – DG Regio, European Commission
- Ms Iiris Mäntyranta, Former Programme Director for Interreg Nord 2014-2020 and for Interreg Aurora 2021- 2027
- Mr Jan Edøy, Special Adviser, Norwegian Ministry of Regional Development, NPP MC member, Norway
- Mr Jim Millard, Former Senior Official, Scottish Government, NPP MC member, Scotland
- Mr Gerry Finn, Former Director or Northern and Western Regional Assembly, NPP MC member, Ireland
Mr Jens Kurnol, Head of Division for European Spatial and Urban Development, Federal institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and spatial development (Germany)
Ms Irene Mc Master Principal Knowledge Exchange Fellow in the European Policies Research Centre, European Policies Research Centre (EPRC) Scotland
The terms of the last call for main project applications were presented at this event and the call officially launched.
- Ms Lisbeth Nylund, Chair of the Interreg NPA
Monitoring Committee - Specialist Director for High North Development, Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development - Mr Christopher Parker, Programme Manager for Project Development, Interreg NPA Secretariat
2nd October - Plenary Sessions Presentations and Recordings
DIALOGUE ABOUT THE FUTURE - On the second day, Interreg NPA invited various actors supporting cooperation in the Northern Periphery and Arctic regions to join a dialogue with the programme and its projects, exploring how we can do even more together in the future. Here you can re-watch the plenary sessions and download the presentations of the speakers.
Ms Claude Véron-Réville, Special Envoy for Arctic matters, European Union External Action Services
Mr Vassilis Dokalis, Legal and International Relations Officer at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in the European Commission (online)
Mr Petri Koistinen, Policy Coordinator at the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban policy (DG REGIO),European Commission
Ms Kirsti Mijnhijmer, Head of Secretariat, Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic
This panel explored how transnational cooperation can best respond to the diverse, place-based needs of the Arctic and Northern Periphery communities. Panellists reflected on how cooperation structures already existing across the region can build on synergies and collaboration to achieve meaningful long-term impacts.
- Mr Nils Kristian Sørheim Nilsen, Director of Northern Norway European Office, NSPA (Northern Sparsely Populated Areas Network), Norways
- Ms Halla Nolsøe Poulsen, Director NORA, (Nordic Atlantic Cooperation), Faroe Islands
- Mr Travis O'Doherty, EU Programmes Liaison Officer, Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA), Ireland
- Ms Pia Pitkänen, Senior Advisor of regional development, Regional Council of North Karelia, Finland
- Ms Daria Makhotina Gudnason, Advisory member of the Arctic Youth Network
- Mr Gorm Vold, Chief Advisor for Nalik Ventures, Greenland
From ideas to concrete results
Explore how connected projects have evolved over time and created real impact.
From ideas to concrete results
The Mood of the Event
Great networking, parallel sessions well thought out, the fun participant games were just the right amount of action to get people engaged without making people uncomfortable! - Feedback from a conference participant.
Interreg NPA Awards
Ten awards were presented to recognise and celebrate the achievements of projects that exemplify the values and impact of transnational cooperation in the Northern Periphery and Arctic.
Award winners