The two Interreg Aurora Steering Committees, for sub-area Aurora and sub-area Sápmi, have met 16-17 January to decide on funding of new cross-border cooperation projects. Sara Nylund, Vice Chair of the Regional development board of Västernorrland welcomed the Committees to Sundsvall and gave a presentation about ongoing regional development and investment plans in the region.
The Steering Committee for sub-area Aurora approved 6 million euros in EU funding and Norwegian Interreg funding to 8 new projects. The projects will cooperate across borders to support:
- business development for companies in the gaming industry
- testing new technologies in the creative sector
- the re-use of historic and existing buildings for new activities
- the empowering of small entrepreneurs in the music sector
- climate change communication and adaption in arctic protected areas
- risk and prevention of damaging agents in northern forests
- methods for nutrient removal from agricultural waters
- and also a small-scale project that will develop a roadmap for cybersecurity in the energy sector was decided to recieve funding.
Päivi Ekdahl, Chair of the Steering Committee for sub-area Aurora says that the Steering Committee is looking forward to the start of these new important cross-border projects. The project activities will strengthen the cohesion between the regions in the programme area.
There were no new projects decided in sub-area Sápmi in this, the third call for regular applications. Nilla Tapiola, Chair of the Steering Committee for sub-area Sápmi emphasized the importance of join forces in Sweden, Finland, and Norway to increase the number of Sami applications for the upcoming calls. It is important to share the knowledge that Interreg funding is an accessible and important funding possibility for development of the Sami society and the Sami culture, livelihood, industries, and the Sami languages.
During the meeting days in Sundsvall the Committees received a presentation from the ongoing Interreg Aurora project Bothnia Business Heritage. The aim of the project is to promote and highlight the Gulf of Bothnia and its cultural heritage and strengthening the connection with today’s existing businesses.
Also, on the agenda was a study visit to the Mid Sweden University/Gaskeuniversiteete. The Steering Committee members got the chance to visit the STC Research Centre for sensor systems, electronics and computer technology and they got information about of a specific division of research and educational support that’s strengthens the connection between the university’s research, the society, and the companies. The Interreg Aurora projects AIRHERD, a small-scale project that studies the use of drones in reindeer herding and the regular project Ensure-6G that develops remote sensing and data fusion integration for Industrial logistics in rural areas with 6G was presented at the university.
The Interreg Aurora programme has right now an open call for small-scale projects applications until the 2 February 2024. The fourth call for regular projects is open from 5 February to 5 March 2024. Read more about upcoming calls and terms of reference.
List of prioritized projects 16-17 Jan 2024
