1996-2026

30 Years of Nordic Arctic Cooperation

Marking three decades of people-to-people cooperation across the Arctic, the Nordic Council of Ministers has initiated a year-long dialogue on past experiences and future directions for Nordic Arctic cooperation. 

Photographer
KOMMER

Since its launch in 1996, the Nordic Arctic Programme has strengthened north-to-north cooperation, supporting sustainable development, resilience, and strong civil societies across the Arctic. 

For 30 years, the Nordic Council of Ministers has brought people, knowledge, and solutions together across the Arctic – creating a strong Nordic footprint through north-to-north and people-to-people cooperation.

Nordic Arctic Dialogue Relay 2026

Nordic Arctic Dialogue Relay 2026 

This year marks a milestone in Nordic Arctic collaboration: three decades since the Nordic Council of Ministers launched its first Arctic Cooperation Programme – designed to strengthen people-to-people cooperation across the Nordic Arctic region. 

To mark this anniversary, the Nordic Council of Ministers is launching the Nordic Arctic Dialogue Relay: A year-long, cross-sector conversation spanning platforms, generations, and locations. 

 

The relay will reflect on lessons learned, explore future pathways for Nordic-Arctic cooperation, and showcase the region’s engagement, responsibility, and concrete projects through high-level debates at Nordic and international events. 

Find upcoming events in the list below, with new additions added regularly. 

Events in focus

Nuuk (GL)

Future Greenland

Come see us at the Future Greenland conference in Nuuk, 19-20 May 2026, where the Nordics are represented through Nordic Innovation CEO Sindre Stemshaug Bornstein and Head of Communication Lena Henriksson, in a side-event on the Nordic Council of Ministers supported Northern Clouds project.

Events in focus

Torshavn (FO)

Ocean Connectivity Conference

Representatives of Nordic cooperation programmes and institutions, as well as the Nordic Council of Ministers will highlight Nordic initiatives during Ocean Connectivity Conference organized by the Kingdom of Denmark's Chairship of the Arctic Council and hosted at the University of the Faroe Islands, as part of the UArctic Congress.
Umbeje/ Umeå (SE)

Arctic Arts Summit

The Arctic Arts Summit (AAS) brings together representatives of Arctic countries and Indigenous Nations of the Circumpolar region to strengthen arts and culture in the North and stimulate collaboration in the creative industries.

Meet us at the AAS in Ubmeje/Umeå, Sweden from 16-18 June!

Events in focus

Bornholm (DK)

Folkemødet

Meet us at the Danish democracy festival, Folkemødet, arranged 11-13 june at Bornholm, where we will highlight Nordic-Arctic engagement through dedicated events in the Nordic tent.
Ohcejohka/Utsjoki (FI)

Saami Conference

Meet us at the Saami Conference, arranged every fourth year as the highest body and most important forum of the Saami Council, in Ohcejohka/Utsjoki from 18 to 21 June to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Saami Council.

Events in focus

Copenhagen (DE)

UNLEASH Europe

UNLEASH Europe (June 27–July 4, 2026) brings 200 young European changemakers to Copenhagen for a week of collaboration on sustainably built environments. Supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers' Nordic Arctic Programme, one of four thematic tracks focuses on "Enabling Adaptation in Arctic and Remote Regions".
Arendal (NO)

Arendalsuka

Meet us at the Norwegian democracy festival Arendalsuka on 10-14 august 2026 in Arendal, where the Nordic Council of Ministers will host and participate in events highlighting 30+ years of Nordic-Arctic engagement.

Events in focus

Copenhagen (DE)

Northern Clouds Conference

Together with partners, the Nordic Council of Ministers will host the Northern Clouds conference in Copenhagen on 16 September.

Join us to discuss how to build sustainable and sovereign digital futures in the Nordic and Arctic region.
Nuuk (GL)

West Nordic Day

Meet us in Nuuk to celebrate the West Nordic Day on 23 September.

More information to follow.

Events in focus

Reykjavik (IS)

Arctic Circle Assembly

Meet us at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik on 8-10 October, as the Nordic Council of Minsters highlights Nordic-Arctic cooperation at the largest annual international gathering on the Arctic.
Antalya (TR)

COP31

The Nordic Council of Ministers will once again secure a strong Nordic footprint at the UN Climate Change Conference, this time in Antalya, Turkey from 9-20 November, 2026.

30 years of the Nordic Artic program

30 years of the Nordic Artic program

30 years of the Nordic Artic program

Previous Events

Tromsø, NO

Arctic Frontiers 2026

Nordic Council of Ministers, NordForsk, Nordregio, Nordic Energy Research, and Nordic Innovation all participated in the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø, February 2026, with a programme packed with opportunities to learn more about Nordic engagement in the Arctic.
Nuuk, GL

Nordic Day

Nordic Day, 23 March, was celebrated in Katuaq cultural centre, Nuuk, through the event “Lav mad der skaber fællesskab” with food from master chefs Inunnguaq Hegelund (Greenland), Gutti Winther (Faroe Islands), and Viktor Eriksson (Åland), and Greenlandic folktales shared and performed by Tukummeq Qaavigaq.

Previous Events

Bodø, Norway

High North Dialogue

Meet the Nordic Council of Ministers and NORA at the High North Dialogue in Bodø, Norway.

Hear about how Nordic cooperation supports sustainable development, innovation and community resilience in the side-event Ask me anything – How to get funding in the North, on 23 April, 2026.

Arctic Frontiers VIDEO
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Nordic Students on Ice 2026

The Students on Ice Foundation and the Nordic Council of Ministers are bringing Nordic and global youth together on a fully funded North-to-North expedition from Nuuk to Iqaluit from July 6-22, 2026.  

Nordic youth will join an international cohort of young people traveling from Nuuk to Iqaluit with scientists, educators, and Indigenous knowledge holders to explore the region's ecology, cultures, and governance, with a focus on Nordic priorities: sustainability, equality, resilience, and regional cooperation. The expedition will foster North-to-North mobility, intercultural understanding, inspire young people to amplify Nordic perspectives, and enact the goals of Nordic Vision 2030. 

 

Learn more about Student on Ice

Nordic Arctic Programme 2025–2027

Nordic Arctic Programme 2025–2027

The Nordic Arctic Programme 2025–2027 aims to support socially, economically, and environmentally resilient Arctic communities.

By promoting robust civil societies, sustainable economic growth, and green transitions, the programme aims to support local initiatives and partnerships that inspire resilience across the Nordic-Arctic region. Through this programme the Nordic Council of Ministers will back innovative Arctic projects aligned with the 2030 Vision.

Read the Arctic Programme 2025 - 2027

Publications

23.01.25

A Resilient Arctic Nordic Arctic Programme 2025–2027

Publications number:
2025:703
02.11.23

Peace and Security in the Arctic

Publications number:
2023:734
22.09.23

Young Voices from the Arctic: Insights on Climate Change and Permafrost Degradation

Publications number:
2023:6
04.02.26

A Nordic Perspective on AMOC Tipping

Publications number:
2026:504
17.03.26

Improving small water supplies in the Nordic countries

Publications number: 2026:505
17.02.26

Indigenous tourism in the European Arctic

Publications number: 2026:501
20.01.26

Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECM) and Indigenous-led Conservation in the Nordic region and the wider Arctic

Publications number: 2025:556
07.12.25

EXPO 2025, Osaka, Japan

Publications number: 2025:036
27.10.25

Nordic Cryosphere Digital Twin

Publications number: 2025:565
22.10.25

Together for a Green Future in the Nordic Region and the World

Publications number: 2025:034
04.08.25

Vejledning til styrkelse af borgerinddragelse i forvaltning af naturen i Arktis

Publications number: 2025:543
04.08.25

Styrket lokalt baseret monitering og forvaltning af levende ressourcer i Arktis

Publications number: 2025:525
03.06.25

Nordic Biodiversity Framework

Publications number: 2025:553
12.02.25

Nordic Crop Wild Relative (CWR) Conservation for a More Resilient Agriculture

Publications number: 2025:515

Contact

Anne-Katrine Brandt Olsen
Senior Adviser / International Cooperation
+45 60 39 42 75
annols@norden.org 

 

Joel Ekström
Project Officer / International Cooperation
+45 60 39 42 33
joeeks@norden.org

Ida Croff
Project Officer / Communication
+45 60 39 71 98
idacro@norden.org