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AN ARCTIC DIMENSION IN THE NEW PROGRAMME

Paula Mikkola Regional contact point for

Finland

Arctic challenges and potentials

The wilderness of the Arctic has not remained intact this long due to strong legislation and good spatial planning practices - but rather because of its remoteness from industrial centres, inaccessibility, and the harsh climatic conditions of this region, protected primarily by the pack ice during winter.

These conditions are now changing.

Infrastructure is moving in, investments are being made in extractive industries, and global warming is opening up sea routes to previously inaccessible areas.

Arctic spaces and ecosystems are thus no longer protected by nature and geography as they were in the past.

(Arctic council’s report 2007)

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Geopolitical interests: Entire Murmansk Region to be included in Russia’s Arctic ZoneOttawa eliminating regional water boards in Northwest territoriesFinland aims to lead sustainable development in the Arctic RegionNorthern Sea route: a future business for NorwayChina wants to be part of the Arctic orderDevelopment in the Arctic will call for a revision of defense plans

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Business opportunities – challenges: Conference on sustainable business in the Arctic Going circumpolarDangers of Arctic CruisingWhat are the benefits of Arctic oil drilling?Impacts of climate change & economic activity: Arctic – a messenger for global change Reporting on the resilience of Arctic ecosystems U.S. allocates 5m$ to the environment in the Arctic Challenges in the Arctic – a Gender Perspective

Different approaches in the programme area

• Activities are considered Arctic by nature (Grl);• Arctic cooperation is carried out through

membership in international organisations (AC)• The area has adopted an explicit Arctic/High

North strategy or agenda (Fin, Nor, Rus, EU);• Arctic’s ”closest neighbour”, i.e. Arctic

development involves issues which are interesting for UK’s own policy framework

? What will be the role of the new NPA programme in this context?

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Integrating Arctic into the new programme

A separate priority or integrated in the mainstream priorities?-Scotland, N Ireland, and Ireland require that the programme should not become overly focussed on Arctic issues-Important to keep all partners from all regions fully engaged in all aspects of the programme-Avoid making some interventions more/less relevant to some areas than others

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Integrating Arctic into the new programme

A separate priority or integrated in the mainstream priorities?Instead of having an own thematic priority for the Arctic cooperation, a mainstreaming approach was adopted The descriptions of Specific objectives are made broad enough to accomodate also Arctic cooperation Actions Supported include also examples of projects with an Arctic dimension

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Integrating Arctic into the new programme – implementation challenges

Need to increase the knowledge base in relation to Arctic themes – an Arctic observatory / horizon scanner?

Number of available partners limited in the Arctic – secure sufficient organisational capacity and a balanced partner representation from the whole programme area?

Other EU-programmes will also be addressing Arctic cooperation – need for more coordination between the programmes?

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NPA CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARCTIC DEVELOPMENT

• Supports cooperation, innovation, and transfer of knowledge and technology within themes which are of specific significance to the Arctic and sub-Arctic territories (sustainable use of resouces, demographic challenge)

• Engages actors on a grass-root level; maintains the brand of a people’s programme

• Develops products and services which are of importance to the people living in the Arctic, including the indigenous people

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NPA contribution to the Arctic development

• With regard to environmental and natural processes in the Arctic, the NPA generates information and promotes knowledge about what can be done at a local and regional level to preserve and protect the environment, nature, and seas in the Arctic.

• Promotes expertise related to cold climate and harsh conditions which will be an extra advantage for SMEs that go for cooperation with firms outside the Programme area.

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