Rural northern regions have rich, sensitive, and crucial biodiversity. Its conservation is linked with the capacity of the area’s scientists, policymakers, and communities to collaborate. By bringing people together in actions that are centered on communities and focused on vulnerable stakeholders, CAP-SHARE aims to find more effective ways to work together for the protection of biodiversity – for the future of our region’s nature, culture, and heritage.

CAP-SHARE: Building Bridges of Shared Capacity Between Scientists, Policymakers, and Communities

​Our objectives
CAP-SHARE aims to strengthen the relationship between scientists, policymakers, and Arctic communities when it comes to decision-making regarding the protection of biodiversity and climate change mitigation. We will develop a model for effective collaboration towards biodiversity preservation and climate resilience within Arctic communities, with an emphasis on youth empowerment and the recognition of indigenous and local knowledge.

Events
CAP-SHARE is bringing people together to open dialogue through online international workshops, local in-person events, and an international youth symposium. These events will focus on three main themes:

• Co-creating bridges between communities, policymakers, and scientists
• Recognizing intergenerational, local and indigenous knowledge
• Involving youth in place-based actions from conception to policy

Associated partners

Iceland:
- Húnaklúbburinn youth club
- Húnaþing vestra municipality
- Icelandic Seal Center

Norway:
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway
- Science Centre of Northern Norway

Finland:
- Sámi Youth Council
- LUMA Centre Finland
- Sodankylä municipality

Project period:
August 2024 - July 2027

Partners:
Iceland:
Icelandic Museum of Natural History

Finland:
University of Lapland

Norway:
Arctic Frontiers

Total Budget:
794.241,80 EUR

NPA Co-Financing:
428.772,12 EUR

Work package 1: Developing the strategy for capacity sharing.
Between 2024-2025, work package 1 consists of four recorded (2-3 hour) online workshops that are published online. Each online workshop will have current or ongoing examples of projects who have successful experience in each theme. Based on the theme of each workshop, a draft section of the strategy will be developed for the implementation of local and international community development activities in work package 2.

Work package 2: Creating bridges: Jointly implementing pilot actions towards solutions.  
Between 2025-2026 a series of local in-person workshops will be organized by each main partner and their networks. Creating bridges between communities, scientists, and policymakers means creating spaces for dialogue. Here, the focus is on local museums and youth organizations.
Arctic Frontiers and the Science Centre of Northern Norway will conduct the annual Science for Schools program. Scientists will connect with students in ‘Inspiration Days’, an out-of-classroom learning experience. This will be run as a pilot program on a small scale for schools in Iceland and Finland.

Work package 3: CAP-SHARE Multiplier effect: pushing for policy changes and scaling up.
Further local workshops, meetings, and a webinar focusing on the Model for Capacity Sharing and a panel at the 2027 Arctic Frontiers conference. The main aim for this work package is to ensure that the Model for Capacity Sharing will be incorporated by municipalities and regional stakeholders beyond our partnerships, with a wider goal to push for solutions to be used at regional and national level. The project will be the focus of a panel at the 2027 Arctic Frontiers conference, and workshops and meetings will be organized in Iceland, Finland, and Norway directly with scientists, communities, municipalities and policymakers. ​

All CAP-SHARE project partners are part of the YAN Steering Committee; the Lead Partner for CAP-SHARE is the Icelandic Museum of Natural History, with Project Partners being Arctic Frontiers in Norway and the University of Lapland in Finland. They will collaborate with other members of the Steering Committee throughout the project.

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