22.06.2026
15 new Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic projects – Finland strongly involved in all
At a meeting in the Faroe Islands in early June 2026, the Monitoring Committee of the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) programme approved 15 new development projects. The application round showed a record level of interest, in cooperation in cooperation with a total of 33 project proposals to be evaluated.
Finland strongly involved in all projects
Finnish stakeholders have an exceptionally strong role in funded projects. All 15 projects involve at least one Finnish operator, in cooperation in cooperation with a total of 19 Finnish organisations receiving funding.
For Finland, all eight regions of the programme area are represented in these completed projects. The Finnish organisation is the lead implementer of 10 projects. Centria University of Applied Sciences is leading two projects in Central Ostrobothnia, focusing on the management of consumption peaks in electricity networks in sparsely populated areas and the reuse of blades in wind turbines. The University of Oulu is involved in up to four projects, one of which is the main implementer.
Solutions to everyday challenges in northern regions
The funded projects represent all three priorities of the programme and address concrete challenges in sparsely populated areas. Here are a few examples of funded projects.
- CONNECT (Innovation): accelerate the uptake of digital health services in remote areas. The main implementer is the University of Oulu, and the well-being region of Northern Ostrobothnia is also involved in Finland. Other partners come from Ireland and Sweden.
- BIOGUARD (Climate and Natural Resources): develop practical tools for safeguarding biodiversity and climate resilience of forests. The Natural Resources Institute Finland is the main implementer of the project and Oulu University of Applied Sciences is also involved. Other partners come from Iceland, Norway and Ireland.
- DC NEST (Cooperation): strengthen the ability of municipalities to attract and utilise sustainable information point projects. The project is led by Kajaani University of Applied Sciences and other partners come from Ireland, Iceland and Sweden.
The projects will develop solutions for, among other things, digital health, adaptation to climate change, strengthening biodiversity and the vitality and skills of the regions.
Benefits for people and organisations in northern regions
The new projects promote practical cooperation across land borders and bring concrete solutions to the everyday life of the northern regions. Results are expected, for example, to improve the accessibility of services, develop sustainable livelihoods and strengthen the competence of municipalities and organisations.
The full list of funded projects is available the Programme Website.
Further information:
Contact person for the Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) programme area in Finland Maiju Jolma-Taylor, maiju.jolma-taylor@lapinliitto.fi, tel. +358 40 660 8546
Tiina Rajala, Development Director, tiina.rajala@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi, tel. +358 40 685 4033
