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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
