The Interreg Aurora Steering Committee for sub-area Sápmi has approved two new projects in the 7th call for Regular project applications. The Steering Committee meet in Trondheim in January 2026 and finalized the funding decisions through a written procedure during February.
Approximately 700,000 euro from the European Regional Development Fund and 500,000 euro in Norwegian Interreg funding was granted to the new projects in sub-area Sápmi.
Sámi-led initiative for a joint strategy for cultural heritage and traditional knowledge
One of the approved projects is Ä’rbb – Joint Strategy for Cultural Heritage and Traditional Knowledge. The aim is to establish a Sámi-led, cross-border approach to safeguarding and guiding the use of Sámi intangible cultural heritage and árbediehtu/traditional knowledge as resources of both cultural and economic value. The project partners, the Finnish and Norwegian Sámediggi/Sámi Parliaments will make pilot inventories and test new approaches for documentation and policy development. The project will combine UNESCO methods with Sámi perspectives.
The Sámediggi/Sámi Parliament in Sweden is not a formal project partner, Swedish Sápmi perspectives will be represented through the Sámi Parliamentary Council. The Sámi Parliament in Sweden will be invited to join the steering group, participate in events, and will have access to all materials and results.
Elli-Mari Lundgren, Chair of the Steering Committee for sub-area Sápmi and Anna-Marja Kaddik, Deputy chair, says that the project is important and will strengthen Sámi capacity to safeguard heritage, negotiate with states and markets, and ensure that benefits and ownership return to Sámi communities.
Cross-border cooperation supporting Sámi Children and Families’ Services
The other approved project, Fierbmi – Bridging Sámi Children and Families’ Services Across Borders, will advance and facilitate cross-border social services for Sámi children and families in Northern Finland and Norway.
The project will strengthen cooperation between the countries by building networks among service professionals and public authorities. It will provide practical support to employees handling cross-border cases and increase their knowledge of the social service systems in both Finland and Norway.
The project partners Lapin hyvinvointialue and Barne-, ungdoms- og familiedirektoratet will develop a handbook clarifying procedures for managing cases with cross-border aspects. The handbook will help establish practices and promote unified cooperation between service employees in Norway and Finland.
Elli-Mari Lundgren and Anna-Marja Kaddik emphasises that it is essential that Sámi children and families receive clear and coordinated support, regardless of national borders. This project marks an important step toward ensuring equal and culturally appropriate services for Sámi families.
Best wishes for a successful cross-border cooperation to the new approved projects!
Upcoming calls for new project applications
The Interreg Aurora programme will open new calls for both Small-scale and Regular project applications on 7 September 2026. The calls will close on 7 October 2026.
It is important to read and check the terms of reference before applying, since there are limitations in the upcoming calls.
