ELSA – Engaging Learning for Sustainable Arctic project aims to develop cooperation between northern Finland, Sweden, and Norway through life-long learning courses. The project will design and pilot courses aimed at developing the competences of higher education students, highly educated unemployed individuals, and those planning to change careers. The focus of this project will be on the unique characteristics and needs of the Nordic Arctic region, innovation and entrepreneurship skills, value creation, commercialization, and the ability to work in multidisciplinary and international teams in a cross-border context. Practical study modules will be based on real challenges provided by businesses, organizations, and municipalities in the region. The project promotes cross-border cooperation, regional vitality, and the attractiveness of the Nordic Arctic region.
The project has three practical objectives. The first objective is to create joint courses in partner institutions of higher education to facilitate new opportunities for mobility and employment. The courses developed will be formed into modules that will enable personalized and flexible learning for all participants.
The second aim is to foster understanding of sustainable cross-border practices for innovation development and entrepreneurship. This involves identifying best practices, sharing knowledge, and promoting collaboration between educational institutions, companies, organizations, communities and other stakeholders to support innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives in the region.
The third aim is to disseminate the lifelong courses created, ensuring accessibility for all interested in developing innovation and entrepreneurship skills for the Nordic Arctic. This dissemination includes the creation of materials to facilitate the courses. By providing learning resources, the project aims to empower individuals to pursue lifelong learning opportunities and contribute to the economic and social development of Nordic communities.
Target groups
The main target groups of the project are:
- Higher education students entering the labor market
- Unemployed professionals with higher education degrees
- Individuals seeking new career opportunities
The project will also engage and benefit local businesses.
The results of the project will be published on this website as well as on the website of the project coordinator.
Contacts:
Oulu University of Applied Sciences: Katriina Klemola, Project manager, katriina.klemola@oamk.fi
University of Lapland: Emmi Harjuniemi, emmi.harjuniemi@ulapland.fi
UiT The Arctic University of Norway: Jorun Mikalsen, jorun.mikalsen@uit.no
Sor Varanger Utvikling: Ane Sofie Mikkelsen, ane@svu.as
