Arctic Resilient Roots – Building Competitiveness with Food Security in Cross-border Co-operation

The project aims to strengthen food production, food security and crisis preparedness in Norrbotten (Sweden), North Ostrobothnia and Lapland (Finland) by getting better financial awareness and skills for entrepreneurs of farms' profitability. The project encourages farmers to engage in training and innovation by organizing events. Cross-border operating and enchanced economic skills of farmers creates jobs, allows independent small businesses to operate and become profitable and reduces the need of transporting goods.

By exploring how these regions can work together to strengthen both primary production and food processing businesses, thereby creating a higher number and more environmentally, economically and socially resilient companies, we can secure food production and supply in the northern parts of Finland and Sweden.

By mapping resources, identifying vulnerabilities and testing new models and solutions, the project will contribute to a more robust and resilient food chain. The focus is on collaboration between authorities, farmers and the food industry to ensure that people have access to local food.

Activities

Work Package 1: Knowledge base for actions to strengthen competitiveness and resilience of farms and rural food enterprises

Work Package 2: Economic resilience of primary producers and food processors

Work Package 3: Crisis preparedness of primary producers and food processors

Work Package 4: Spreading the lessons learned

Project implementation period: 1.8.2026 – 30.6.2029

Project sub-area: Aurora

Project lead partner EU: ProAgria Northern Finland

Project partners EU: Luleå tekniska universitet, Hushållningssällskapet Norrbotten-Västerbotten, University of Oulu, Lapland University of Applied Sciences

Funding programme: Interreg Aurora Programme