From Lab to Landmarks: A Cross-border Initiative for Science, Discovery and Tourism

Cross border digital science trails

Labs to Landmarks

Cross border digital science trails

From Lab to Landmarks: A Cross-border Initiative for Science, Discovery and Tourism

The Interreg Aurora funded small-scale project “From Labs to Landmarks” will establish a network of partners in Enontekiö (Finland), Nord-Troms (Norway), and Kiruna (Sweden), who will contribute to developing culture- and science-based digital content for existing nature trails in the region. The project is set to enhance collaboration among research institutions, tourism stakeholders, schools, and local communities in the border region.

The project conducts a feasibility study of science tourism in the border area. Practices studied can include knowledge communication, community participation, and the use of new technological solutions, such as virtual and augmented reality, in experience development for tourism. Same products will also be available for local residents and schools as outdoor learning environments.

The sub-arctic Scandinavia draws increasing numbers of visitors every year, and it is ever more important to provide services for the visitors who have an interest towards the local communities and nature in the destination. The objective is to provide visitors with more knowledge, understanding, and respect for the nature and communities they visit, simultaneously enabling community participation planning of tourism development. The approach will strengthen sustainable destination development and empower residents in the region to influence local tourism development.

Contact: Hannu Autto, Helsingin Yliopisto – hannu.autto@helsinki.fi

Lead Partner EU
Helsingin Yliopisto

Lead Partner Norway
SALT Lofoten AS

TYPE OF PROJECT
Small-scale project

SUB-AREA
Aurora

PRIORITY
Education, culture and sustainable tourism

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE
Culture and sustainable tourism

PROJECT DURATION
2023-07-03 – 2024-01-30

TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET
40 000 Euro

EU-FUNDING, INTERREG AURORA
13 000 Euro

NORWEGIAN IR-FUNDING
10 000 Euro

STATUS
Ongoing

Social, ecological and economic sustainable development is an overarching goal in the Interreg Aurora Programme. All projects funded by Interreg Aurora contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The From Labs to Landmarks project contributes primarly to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Project News

Steering Committee meetings in Vaasa
News

New Interreg Aurora projects approved

The two Steering Committees, for sub-area Aurora and sub-area Sápmi, have met 14-15 June in Vaasa to decide on new cross-border cooperation projects in the