GLOW2.0 project receives a recognition award during the Interreg NPA 25th anniversary conference!
GLOW2.0 project received a recognition award under the “Shaping Sustainable Tourism” category during the Interreg NPA 25th anniversary conference. The prestigious award honours projects that harness tourism’s potential to support vibrant communities through authentic and responsible travel experiences, while connecting visitors with the rich culture and natural beauty of the Northern Periphery and Arctic.
Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) programme celebrated its 25th anniversary with a conference titled “CONNECTING THE DOTS”. The two-day conference was held on 1st and 2nd of October in Bodø, Norway. GLOW2.0 project was represented at the event by the project’s lead partner Karelia University of Applied Sciences (Karelia UAS) and Icelandic partner Federation of Regional Authorities NW Iceland (SSNV).
Figure. Session during the Interreg 25th Anniversary Conference “Connecting the Dots” (Interreg NPA/ Mariia Filiushina).
GLOW2.0 team held a session on the first day of the conference, under the theme “Building Blocks”. The session engaged participants on ways we have used the project as a tool for advancing economic development alongside conservation. We focused on how we assisted enterprises and organisations enhance sustainable growth and competitiveness for dark months of the year, using darkness of nature and Dark Sky as additional elements for diversifying the tourism package, and as a means of safeguarding the natural and cultural assets of the Northern Periphery and Arctic. Feedback from engaged target groups of the project was also shared with participants.
Figure. GLOW2.0 team preparing start of session (Interreg NPA/ Mariia Filiushina).
Discussions centered around impacts and effects of light pollution on tourism businesses, destinations' nature and cultural assets, and on residents, with participants also sharing own experiences. The benefits of responsible and meaningful lighting at night for safeguarding values and benefits from darkness of nature and dark sky for human and animal health, biodiversity and regional economy were also discussed. Ways to further sustainable and regenerative tourism actions for building resilient communities and preserving the unique nature and cultural heritage of our region were also shared. There were great discussions and reflections about the themes, thanks to the active participants.
The conference was not only about sitting and listening, it was filled with other pleasant activities and surprises. Participants tested technology by other projects, enjoyed the pleasant Bodø weather, music performances, site visits, and shared exchanges with other conference participants during lunches, coffee breaks etc. 
Figure. Capture of social events during the Interreg NPA conference (Interreg NPA/ Mariia Filiushina).
Interreg NPA also recognised achievements of projects across the Northern Periphery and Arctic region during the conference dinner and award ceremony. GLOW2.0 received a recognition award under the “Shaping Sustainable Tourism” category alongside SAINT, SCITOUR, SHAPE and SUB projects. The prestigious award honours projects that harness tourism’s potential to support vibrant communities through authentic and responsible travel experiences, while connecting visitors with the rich culture and natural beauty of the Northern Periphery and Arctic.
Figure. GLOW2.0 project receives an award during the Award ceremony (Interreg NPA/ Mariia Filiushina).
More about the awards can be read from: Interreg NPA pages.
Familiarise yourself with Dark Sky values and ways to enhance meaningful lighting: GLOW2.0 Capacity Building Study Modules
