ASTRIC connecting the Dots in Bodø – Learning, Networking and Inspiration from 25 Years of Arctic Cooperation

The event brought together people from across Northern Europe and the Arctic to celebrate 25 years of transnational cooperation under the NPA. Over two days, participants reflected on what has been achieved through joint projects and looked forward to the future of cooperation in the North.

Exploring the NPA – a network of regions and people

One of the most rewarding aspects of the event was learning more about the NPA programme itself. The Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme have, for a quarter of a century, supported collaboration between remote and sparsely populated regions facing similar challenges: long distances, harsh climates, and small local markets, but also strong communities and unique innovation potential!

It was fascinating to see how cooperation between these regions is not only about funding, but about sharing knowledge, solutions, inspiration and eventually becoming friends! I learned how the NPA projects strengthen resilience, sustainability, and innovation capacity in places that are in remote and rural regions across the North.

People, conversations, and new connections

The event was also an excellent networking opportunity. Anu-Riika from the Astric project says: "I met many new people working with regional development, innovation ecosystems, and entrepreneurship support. There were project leaders, policymakers, and practitioners, all passionate about making their regions thrive."

Informal discussions during breaks, workshops, and evening receptions offered space for open conversation. These exchanges sparked new ideas for potential collaboration and shared learning.

The discussions in Bodø resonated strongly with the work we are doing through ASTRIC, where the focus is on building collaborative, sustainable, and innovation-driven regional development. The idea of linking local initiatives to broader networks and learning from others doing similar work in different contexts, feels more important than ever.

A sense of shared purpose

What we found most inspiring in Bodø was the strong sense of community among people working in these remote regions. Whether the topic was climate resilience, entrepreneurship in small villages or how to keep the young people in the region, the message was clear: we can achieve more together than alone.

The event’s theme, Connecting the Dots, captured this perfectly. It’s about linking people, ideas, and regions – and creating something that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

Looking ahead

We returned from Bodø with fresh motivation and a deeper understanding of what European cooperation can mean at a practical level. For me, it was not only a networking trip but a reminder that innovation thrives where collaboration is strong and that includes even the most northern and peripheral areas.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this celebration and the whole NPA family, and look forward to seeing how the NPA community continues to grow and evolve in the years to come.