Strengthening Rural Resilience: MERSE joined panel at Nordic Youth Seminar
On October 24th, MERSE project leader Yvonne von Friedrichs joined a panel at the seminar “Diversity in Times of Insecurity in the Nordics: Cooperation for a Resilient Arctic Future,” co-organised by Interreg NPA and the Nordic Youth Council (UNR). The event brought together around 70 young Nordic politicians in Stockholm to explore how diversity and cooperation can build resilience in Arctic communities.
MERSE as a model for cross-border collaboration
Yvonne von Friedrichs, representing the MERSE project, was invited to speak as part of a panel highlighting innovative approaches to community resilience. MERSE was showcased as an inspiring initiative within the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme (NPA).
– The aim of the project is to make it easier to start and develop social enterprices in rural areas of the NPA regions, Yvonne explained during the panel discussions.
– To be able to do this, we are 20 partners and also a number of social enterprises from five countries collaborating across borders. We do this to increase the knowledge of, and the conditions for social enterprises, because they can play an important role for all generations in rural communities, Yvonne told the participants of the seminar.
Youth, diversity and resilience in focus
Held in central Stockholm, the seminar explored how inclusive cooperation can strengthen preparedness and sustainability in the Arctic. Rather than focusing on infrastructure, the discussions emphasized community-based resiliencerooted in relationships, heritage and adaptability.
MERSE was highlighted by Interreg NPA as an excellent example of how cooperation across regions, organisations and sectors can strengthen small communities, build resilience and improve preparedness.
The project continues to gain recognition as a forward-thinking initiative that bridges research, policy, practice and people. Its inclusion in this seminar reflects the interest in social entrepreneurship as a tool for resilience and regeneration in rural Arctic regions.
