Our Work and Approach

Partner: Saami Council

WP1 'Ethical, collaborative, and inclusive research approaches and methodologies' will identify knowledge gaps and research needs in Arctic coastal communities, provide replicable frameworks for research initiatives that support collaborative knowledge creation, and assess and identify best practices for co-creative/co-productive methods and their implementation within a circum-Arctic scope.

Partner: UiT - The Arctic University of Norway

WP2 'Human-species-ecosystem interdependencies in changing Arctic coastal regions' aims to assess changes in human-species and ecosystem interactions in the Varanger and Porsanger fjords, evaluate current management of red king crab, pink salmon, and seals, revitalize Sámi Indigenous Knowledge on seals, and strengthen pan-Arctic Indigenous and local knowledge exchange on the marine environment.

Partner: University of Copenhagen

WP3 'Coastscapes-relationalities: Uncovering silenced knowledge systems and crafting a relational One Health approach for community resilience, reconciliation, and well-being' contributes to uncovering marginalised and silenced Indigenous knowledge within archival records. It connects archival research with art, healing, and relationships with landscape and sea to develop creative, multimodal approaches that support community resilience, well-being, and reconciliation.

Partner: Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) | at GFZ

WP4 'Local and global futures: young people’s visions of sustainable livelihoods and inclusive environmental decision-making' aims at assessing the impacts, including opportunities and challenges, of climate change mitigation measures as experienced by young people living in Finnmark. In doing so, WP4 wants to collaboratively engage and understand young people’s vision of future in relation to the expansion of power production and wind energy projects in the Arctic.

Partner: UiT - The Arctic University of Norway

WP5 'Indigenous knowledge-informed coastal resources management and conservation strategies embedded in a multi-actor approach' co-develops sustainable marine resources management and relational environmental governance options informed by Indigenous knowledge, scientific and local expertise, building on the work of WP2 and responding to changing fjord ecosystems.

Partner: UiT The Arctic University of Norway

WP6 'New actors and spaces for improved collaboration, knowledge building, and inclusive decision-making' explores and implements innovative approaches to transform the roles of museums, archives, and libraries, positioning them as new knowledge stewards/new Elders, and fosters a shift in the interactions among knowledge centers and coastal Arctic communities.

Partner: Sámi Allaskuvla

WP7 'Empowering Indigenous higher education institutions and remote Arctic coastal communities by developing gender-sensitive and innovative education formats' analyses the link between gender asymmetries (female out-migration leaving young men behind in higher education and art production) and existing forms of Indigenous education and knowledge validation.

Partner: University of Tartu

WP8 'Mobilizing youth leadership and exchange for shaping socio-economic transitions in Arctic coastal regions linked to the EU Green Deal' supports young people in Arctic coastal areas to take an active role in shaping their communities’ future in response to climate change and social challenges.

Partner: Dáiddadállu

WP9 'Mobilizing knowledge through art-Indigenizing research methologies through Sámi and Indigenous art' aka 'Birgejupmi Through Art & Duodji' emphasizes Indigenous art and craft as a tool of birgejupmi in one's environment, as a means of political survival and as a means of strengthening Indigenous voices and land and sea relations.

Partner: Saami Council

WP10 'Ethical approaches, circular models and evaluation methods for working across different knowledge systems' builds on WP1 to ensure reflexive ethics and methodological engagement throughout the project. The WP will develop and test a practical toolkit for future Arctic research and draw on learning across the project to develop recommendations for more ethical, equitable, and reciprocal approaches to knowledge co-creation.

Partner: Árvu AS

WP11 focuses on delivering a comprehensive communication and design package that enhances the visibility, credibility, and effectiveness of Birgejupmi. WP12 will monitor and revise the CDEO strategy as needed in close collaboration with project partners and continue to support and advise the consortium on effective communication and outreach.

Partner: University of Oulu

WP13 is dedicated to ensuring the overall coordination and successful delivery of the project. WP14 leads the final phase of the Birgejupmi project, ensuring smooth coordination, thorough evaluation, and high-quality results.