This week, the Enhancing Northern Connectivity: North‑to‑North Cooperation for Community Preparedness and Resilience project was launched during the Arctic Mayors’ Forum (AMF) member meeting in Tromsø. The project brings together municipalities, Indigenous organisations, research partners, and community leaders across the Arctic to build shared capabilities for crisis preparedness and resilience. It is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
“Arctic communities are already facing and managing wildfires, floods, and other crises – but by working together, we can develop shared best practices and make sure no‑one has to reinvent the wheel.” Patti Bruns, Secretary General, Arctic Mayors’ Forum
The Arctic faces profound climatic, geopolitical, and socio‑economic shifts which make local preparedness and human security essential priorities. According to Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, societal security is top of mind for all Nordic Governments, especially in these uncertain times:
“Robust societies are not built by any one state alone. The Nordic Council of Ministers drive shared political priorities and added Nordic value to national preparedness work. This is a top political priority. By adding a North-to-North perspective to this work, local Arctic municipalities across the Nordics and North America will learn from each other and be better prepared to face potential crises in a changing world.”
The project’s contribution to better preparedness
The 18-month project has already kicked off with a workshop to support local community resilience to permafrost thaw in Yellowknife, Canada. The cooperation is led and facilitated by the Arctic Mayors’ Forum, with partners from Nordregio, NAADSN (North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network), KRK Inua, and the Harvard Arctic Initiative. The project is supported by Nordic Council of Ministers Western Partnership Programme, which supports Nordic projects in collaboration with western project partners from the UK, Canada and the US.
Through new platforms for cooperation, the project seeks to integrate local knowledge, Indigenous perspectives, youth voices, and scientific insight — ensuring that preparedness planning reflects the diversity of Arctic realities.
“Nordregio brings deep, place‑based knowledge of Nordic challenges and solutions, from small municipalities to Indigenous self‑governance. We’re eager to learn from our North American partners and to share proven Nordic approaches so that local leaders across the Arctic can strengthen preparedness and resilience together.” Ágúst Bogason, Senior Research Advisor, Nordregio
Bringing together municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and research institutions, the project will deliver actionable policy briefs, a resilience toolbox, and validated methods for preparedness planning. A facilitation guide based on in-person workshops and a baseline report will be the foundation of a series of digital knowledge exchanges between municipal leaders, Indigenous representatives, first responders and researchers. These sessions will help participants share challenges, learn from each other, and co-create solutions which will contribute to a toolbox for communities and actionable policy recommendations.
