Arctic towns and cities working together to address local challenges

With the Arctic changing at an unprecedented rate, "Arctic stability and resilience starts in the Arctic cities", said Nataliia Hammarberg, Luleå Municipality (Sweden).

Luleå is part of a network of cities working together to address shared Arctic challenges through the EU-funded Arctic Urban Regional Cooperation (AURC) network. Launched by the European Union in January 2024, AURC brings together Arctic towns and cities from Canada, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the United States of America (US). Local authorities work together through a structured action-planning process to transfer knowledge and best practices on sustainable development - tackling the local Arctic challenges that matter to them most.

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas met with Arctic mayors at Arctic Frontiers in Tromsø (Norway) on 3 February 2026 to discuss the region's most pressing challenges. The event also included broader discussions on "Strengthening and Sustaining Pan-Arctic Cooperation", supported by the Arctic Mayors' Forum.

"With the supports that are provided through the European Union and the AURC, we are building relationships with likeminded neighbours across the Arctic. Yellowknife is looking forward to the future." said Mayor of Yellowknife (Canada), Ben Hendriksen.

Positive changes sparked by AURC

In its first two years of exchange and learning, AURC has driven significant developments. Here are a few of many examples:

1. Local participation and engagement

The municipality of Salla (Finland) launched its first participatory budget, for which 150 ideas were submitted by residents, with a new community gym as the winning proposal now under construction. AURC exchanges have introduced fresh approaches to participative budgeting in Harstad and Tromsø (Norway), fostering community engagement in Oulu (Finland), the 2026 European Capital of Culture.

Asisaun Toovak, Mayor of Utqiaġvik, Alaska (US) said: "I think it's very important that the Arctic communities have a say, that they're at the same table."

2. Youth engagement, education and wellbeing

Youth involvement is a major focus of the project, particularly as a solution for retaining young talent in Arctic communities, highlighted by Tromsø's role as 2026 European Youth Capital. Municipalities in Iceland, Sweden, Norway and elsewhere have shared solutions, sparking new cultural exchanges and connections between youth and local government - such as Rovaniemi's strategic youth priority, and Fairbanks' Citizen Academy night school for residents aged 16 and older.

"This unique opportunity to engage on a practical level with circumpolar colleagues is very inspiring, especially in promoting active society, participation and engagement, community building, culture and youth," said Anne Rännäli-Kontturi from the Municipality of Oulu (Finland).

3. Talent attraction, retention and workforce development

Inspired by Oulu , the city of Gällivare (Sweden) opened a Welcome House offering services in Swedish and English for newcomers, jobseekers and international talent. Meanwhile, Luleå (Sweden) is planning a Welcome Hub bringing together employers, businesses, civic organisations, academic institutions and other stakeholders to run joint activities for newcomers and international talents. Tromsø has appointed an 'International House Coordinator' and Umeå inspired Yellowknife to enhance its recruitment campaigns, highlighting workers' positive impacts on the community.

A new Interreg Aurora project on talent retention and attraction, "TALENT NORTH: Attracting and Anchoring Global Talent in the Arctic", has emerged from AURC's efforts. It will aim to further strengthen cross-border cooperation for best practices and services in the field of attraction, welcome, integration, and retention of global talent and skilled labour.The project involves the Arctic Six universities alliance, Arctic Mayors' Forum, and partners in Oulu, Bodø, Tromsø, Luleå and Umeå, with Rovaniemi and Joensuu (Finland) as associates.

"It's very interesting to see how other cities are attracting talent," said Øivind Arvola, Harstad (Norway). "We're all struggling with the same problems. We get to see how other cities are working, we also know who we can connect with."

4. Local economic development

"We're looking up instead of in; it's eye-opening to see that we can be a player in the global market," said Kerry Thistle, Yellowknife (Canada). "I've seen how successful other Arctic communities have been. We have a lot to learn from each other, whether it's about food security, how to attract investment, or recruitment and retention."

Inspired by AURC exchanges, Yellowknife has developed a list of 25 ready-to-go opportunities for investors and modernised the city's branding to boost investment attraction. Other results include a cross-border training project worth over €1 million in Salla, Rovaniemi's (Finland) new approach to improving dialogue with businesses, and sustainable tourism cooperation between Luleå and Tromsø.

5. Climate resilience and emergency preparedness

AURC has assisted Arctic towns in reinforcing sustainable tourism practices, strengthening preparedness, and enhancing links with Arctic Six universities. Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, US, has partnered with George Washington University (US) to develop its first comprehensive wildfire evacuation plan, inspired by Yellowknife's experiences. This US-Canada academic partnership is funded through a jointly developed research grant proposal.

Amy Gallaway from Fairbanks shared, "I learned the art of what's possible, and I bring back to my community the skills and connections to make it happen."

6. Culture, identity and social cohesion

AURC has shown Rovaniemi new ways to support locally driven cultural events, simplifying requests for pop-up happenings. Meanwhile, Tromsø is establishing Nordic youth cultural exchanges with Luleå and Oulu, including exchanges between culture schools.

"It's great to exchange with cities that share our Arctic challenges and our great opportunities," said Julia Hanson, Luleå. "This inspiration and cooperation is so important for the small communities that we are."

7. Municipal teams' capacity and governance

Overall, AURC is enhancing cross-sectoral cooperation and promoting practical learning across its network. Umeå, for example, has brought multiple departments together for the first time to develop an Arctic strategic document on priorities such as climate, democracy, mobility, culture and innovation.

Julia Seljeseth, Tromsø, said, "This cooperation is a driving force, mobilising people across the municipality to focus together on key issues."

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