CONNECTING THE DOTS, 25 years of Interreg NPA - Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme

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Attendance preference Interreg NPA is welcoming the conference participants in Bodø. For those who are not able to attend in person, the morning sessions on both days will be live streamed.

Conference attendance 1st and 2nd October *

30th September, Welcome reception

18:00 – 19:45, Stormen Library *

Join us for a special evening to start the celebration together! It will be a moment to start connecting the dots between people, places, and the stories that have shaped 25 years of Interreg NPA.

1st October, Celebrating 25 Years of Interreg NPA – The Building Blocks

9:00 – 17:00, Nord University *

On the first day, the conference will primarily highlight Interreg NPA projects’ impacts, where transnational cooperation marks the starting point in a longer journey of learning, growth, and lasting change

18:00 – 22:00, Wood Hotel *

All guests are invited to a conference dinner in the impressive settings of the Wood hotel. Expect some entertainment and surprises

Group transportation *

The Interreg NPA Programme has arranged a shared transportation between the Day 1 venues of the Conference: Radisson Blu (8:00) --> Nord University (17:30) --> Wood Hotel (22:00) --> Radisson Blu.

13:30 - 14:30 Parallel sessions Block 1 As these sessions are running in parallel, please select only one session you wish to attend. If you choose more than one, the organisers will distribute participants based on the sessions availability.

From Awareness to Action: Ten Years of Tackling Marine Plastic Pollution in the NPA Region

Niko Hänninen, University of Oulu, Finland - Project CIRCNETS

Empowered NPA Communities: Driving Resilience Through Digital Innovation

Jose Manuel San Emeterio, ERNACT, Ireland - Project INNOCAP

Tourism in the Making: Building Blocks from 25 Years of NPA Projects

Ari Laakso, University of Lapland, Finland & Steve Taylor, University of Highlands and Islands, Scotland - Project RETURN

Visit NordLab, Center for Crisis Management and Collaboration

Nordlab – Center for Crisis Management and Collaboration – conducts practice-based research and education in preparedness, societal security, and collaboration. The centre offers modern facilities for exercises, teaching, research, and dialogue with emergency response actors and industry. Walking distance from Nord University

14:30 - 15:30 Parallel sessions Block 2 As these sessions are running in parallel, please select only one session you wish to attend. If you choose more than one, the organisers will distribute participants based on the sessions availability.

Responsible and Regenerative Tourism Approaches in Northern Periphery and Arctic

Timo Rui, Karelia University of Applied Science, Finland - Project GLOW 2.0

Empowering Social Care and Healthcare: Technology for Workforce Wellbeing

Susanna Leskinen, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Finland & Nick Timmons, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland - Projects RemoTED and Tech2Heal

Creative journeys: Strengthening the cultural and creative economy in the NPA

Ian Brannigan, Western Development Company, Ireland - Project N-LITE

Visit NOATUN Labs at Nord University

NOATUN is Norway’s most modern laboratory building, newly opened at Nord University. During your visit, you’ll get a guided tour of the facilities supporting research and education in areas such as aquaculture, marine biodiversity, veterinary science, and biotechnology. Walking distance from Nord University

15:30 - 16:30 Parallel sessions Block 3 As these sessions are running in parallel, please select only one session you wish to attend. If you choose more than one, the organisers will distribute participants based on the sessions availability.

The ROADEX network – for better rural roads

Per Otto Aursand, Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Norway

From pilot to practice: scaling innovation in energy efficiency

Bjarne Lindeløv, Nordland Research Institute, Norway - Project HYBES

Social entrepreneurship - essential for regional development in the Northern Peripheral and Arctic

Yvonne von Friedrichs, Mid Sweden University, Sweden - Project MERSE

2nd October, Celebrating 25 Years of Interreg NPA – Dialogue about the Future

6:00- 8:00 Sauna

Are you interested in starting your day with a refreshing sauna and swim at PUST – a unique floating experience in the Arctic waters? We recommend booking a spot between 6:00 - 7:00 or 7:00 - 8:00 for relaxation and stunning views. Tickets (175 NOK) must be purchased individually via this link: https://minside.periode.no/booking/BWQ5WvlNUNrO8cqwGPeB/FKGqAUWePON0PMn7VK62/2025-10-02. The sauna experience lasts 1 hour and the capacity is limited to 14 people, first come, first baths!

9:00 – 15:30, Radisson Blu Hotel *

On the second day, Interreg NPA invites 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.

12:00 - 13:00 Parallel sessions Block 4 As these sessions are running in parallel, please select only one session you wish to attend. If you choose more than one, the organisers will distribute participants based on the sessions availability.

Increasing youth engagement in biodiversity decisions: the importance of relations to water and landscapes

Jenny Turton, Arctic Frontiers, Norway - Project CAP-SHARE

Challenge Drive Collaborations - Empowering Europe’s Future through Youth

Umair N. Mughal, Nord University, Norway - Project NORDIC BRIDGE

Sustainable SMEs: Supporting the transition to more sustainable businesses

Kirsi Knuuttila, Jamk University of Applied Sciences, Finland - Projects Sustainable SMEs and TARGET CIRCULAR

Arctic Urban-Regional Cooperation

Launched by the European Union in January 2024, AURC supports 15 Arctic local authorities from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Greenland, Iceland, Canada and the USA to exchange knowledge and experiences on the issues most important to them.

Visit Joint Rescue and Coordination Center, Bodø

Get an inside look at the JRCC, where real-time emergency responses are coordinated across land, sea, and air. Hear how critical operations are managed and lives are saved in the Arctic - now strengthened by the Interreg NPA funded NAMRO project, which supports more efficient and coordinated mass rescue operations. Walking distance from the Radisson Blu.

13:00 - 14:00 Parallel session Block 5 As these sessions are running in parallel, please select only one session you wish to attend. If you choose more than one, the organisers will distribute participants based on the sessions availability.

Youth engagement: Youth together for Arctic futures project

This European Union funded project aims to support Arctic and European youth with knowledge, skills and opportunities to work towards implementing good climate and nature policies for the Arctic. In their session, Arctic Youth Network, a consortium partner, will share experience of youth engagement in the project.

Sustainable Arctic Development: What’s next?

Led by the High North Center for Business and Governance

This session will explore current and future trends for sustainable Arctic development based on the results of the Arctic Business Index project (previously known as Business Index North). Through the expert panel the session will address the following questions. What is the socio-economic and business outlook for the Arctic? How to overcome overreliance on natural resources and promote Arctic innovations? What are possible scenarios for economic cooperation in the Arctic? And is it still possible to develop the Arctic in a sustainable way?

IoT Meets AI: Transforming Energy Data into Actionable Insights

Elena Bezborodova, AIM Centre, Ireland - Project ARCTIC EDGE

Using gamified digital tools and methods to co-create solutions to regional issues

Mariia Hämäläinen, Savonia University of Appliend Sciences, Finland - Project InnoGS

2nd October, Thank you & goodbye party In collaboration with Bådin Brewery, we are hosting an informal “Thank You and Goodbye” gathering - a chance for participants to relax, connect, and enjoy one last evening together before leaving Bodø. Interreg NPA will provide light refreshments and entertainment. An optional beer tasting (45 minutes, 3 samples) is also available for purchase at the link below. Please let us know below if you’ll join only the refreshments & entertainment, only the beer tasting, or both.

17:30 - 18:30, Bådin Brewery

Light Refreshments & Entertainment – Join us before leaving Bodø for a relaxed get-together with snacks & entertainment before heading home.

18:30 - 19:30, Bådin Brewery

Beer tasting - Discover the flavour, aroma, and character of three locally brewed beers from Bodø. Tickets (250 NOK) available here.

I am not planning to join the “Thank you & Goodbye party”

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Please, indicate if you can offer a car ride to or from Bodø, on which day, from which city and for how many people

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Use of images *

I authorize the Interreg NPA 2021-2027 Programme to use any pictures taken at this event in which I appear on for use on its website and other media channels or publications.

Contact data sharing *

I allow the Interreg NPA 2021-2027 Progamme to share my contact details (name, email, organisation and role) with the other participants in this event for networking and car-sharing purposes.

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Registration fees

Registration to this event Free

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Important information

The Interreg NPA Programme has reserved a limited number of rooms at Radisson Blu Hotel, Bodø, at a discounted rate. Rooms can be booked via this link. We recommend booking early, as availability is limited, and the offer expires on 30 June 2025.

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