A project in the far north of Europe is strengthening relationships between the EU and the Sámi indigenous peoples. The ‘Filling the EU-Sápmi knowledge gaps’ project operates in the cross-border region of North-East Finland, Upper Norrland in Sweden and parts of Norway. The project lets Sámi people undertake education courses and participate in traineeships. Other activities include establishing an EU-Sámi think-tank and hosting a pilot Sámi week in Brussels, Belgium.
- 29 September 2021
“Our project aims to bring the Sámi and EU together through education, awareness-raising and information sharing. The project is the first step of a long-term strategy to build partnerships and networks, which is unique in its structure. The structure involves equal collaborations between youths, decision-makers and civil society.”
The project’s mission is to raise mutual awareness and build capacity between the EU and the Sámi peoples. The work is regarded as important locally because many EU decisions affect Sámi society. Activities provided through this initiative aim to give the Sámi the knowledge and confidence to engage constructively with the EU.
Sámi knowledge is being boosted through a series of educational courses covering subjects such as understanding the EU market, lobbying the EU, and EU project management. Target groups for the training include members of Sámi civil society and institutions. In March 2021 the first course was completed: 69 people attended online training on the EU marketplace over two days.
Helping Sami youth
Professional support is being provided to young Sámi people through a trainee programme which delivers experience of an international work environment. All trainees are offered a personal mentor during the course.
In January 2021, three youths from Sweden, Finland and Norway were appointed to 11-month traineeships at the Saami Council. The council represents civil society in Sápmi, the traditional territory of the indigenous Sámi people.
This is a unique job opportunity as the council has much international work experience and represents Sámi civil society in a number of countries. The skills obtained through the programme are transferable to future work opportunities.
A pilot EU-Sápmi Week looks set to be held in Brussels in 2022 to showcase Sámi culture. MEPs, art institutions and representatives from Member States will be involved in the festivities. Displays of Sámi contemporary art and culture will enliven the week, which also promises to be an opportunity for political dialogue where the Sámi set the agenda. The goal is to make it an annual EU event.
A strategic approach
The project is establishing an EU-Sápmi think-tank (ESJ) that will investigate how relations between the two parties can be strengthened to promote partnerships and collaboration. The ESJ consists of six Sámi experts from Sweden, Finland and Norway. They represent the Sámi business community, decision-making bodies, academia and civil society.
As part of its work, the ESJ aims to deliver a policy document complete with recommendations. The document will be circulated to Sámi political institutions to start discussions on how to formalise the partnership with the EU.
Beneficiaries
‘The project has given us trainees a unique work experience in both a Sámi and an international environment, and the opportunity to gain knowledge and build networks that will be valuable for future work on EU topics.’
Ánja Márja Nystø Keskitalo, projet trainee
‘This project is producing the first ever Sámi-EU strategy. This has the potential to be a starting point for the Sámi people to be included in the EU in our own capacity and with our own voice. It will truly contribute to a more inclusive and fair Europe.’
Jerker Bexelius, manager at Gaaltije Sámi cultural centre and expert in the EU-Sápmi think-tank
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Filling the EU-Sápmi knowledge gaps” is EUR 982 245, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 605 725 through the “Interreg V-A Sweden-Finland-Norway (NORD)” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Promote Sami culture and the use of Sami languages”.