Youth For Arctic Nature

Online workshop 4: Policymakers Collaborating with Youth and Communities

29/4/2025

Description: In this workshops, policymakers who are actively working with youth groups, elders, and scientists were invited to further the discussion on capacity sharing and biodiversity from local community perspectives, centering around local and traditional knowledge.

Speakers

Ronja Wedegärtner was the moderator for the panel. She works as a project leader within the WWF Arctic Programme and provides technical knowledge and project management skills. Prior to working at WWF, Ronja worked at Artsdatabanken in Trondheim, mapped invasive species in the Arctic for the Norwegian Polar Institute, and led fieldwork in high-elevation and high-latitude ecosystems. Ronja obtained a PhD in biology with a focus on human impacts at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, where she was also involved in co-developing a course on science policy in the Arctic.
Líf Magneudóttir is a City councilor for the Left Green Movement at the municipality of Reykjavík. She is chairman of the executive board but has also been chairman for the health- and environment committee in Reykjavík where she led the work on making the Climate Action Plan for Reykjavík 2021 - 2025. Líf has been the leader of the Left Green Movement in Reykjavik City Council since 2018. She has a background in primary school education and worked as a teacher for a number of years.
Annakaisa Tikkinen works as a senior education policy adviser at the Finnish Education Employers Association. She has an extensive background in youth organisations. She has worked in student organisations advocating for student perspective in legislation. She is a member of the Green Party in Finland, and has recently acted as a member of the party's Education Policy. Annakaisa is a Leading expert on civil society policy and advocacy, SIVISTA (Finnish Education Employers association). She has worked formerly as an Expert at SITRA (The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra) and as an Education Policy Expert at the Finnish Association of High School Student Organization in the field of inclusion, advocacy and legislation.
Jan Marco Müller: Is currently the Team Leader of Global Approach, Multilateral Dialogue and Science Diplomacy within the Director-General Research and Innovation at the European Commission. Jan Marco has held a number of important science-policy and science-diplomacy positions with notable roles including Science and Technology Advisor to the European External Action Service, establishing the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism, and as Chief Scientific Adviser to the President of the European Commission. His PhD is with the University of Marburg in Germany.
Ragnhildur Guðmundsdóttir, doctor of biology and museum educator at the Icelandic Museum of Natural History, is the CAP-SHARE project leader. She is also part of the BIODICE network and focuses on promoting the importance of biodiversity conservation in Iceland and the Arctic. Read more about BIODICE here.

Workshop Agenda

10:00–10:05 Opening and introduction to the project - Ragnhildur
10:05-10:20 Panelist introductions - Ronja
10:20-11:00 Panel discussion: Policymakers Collaborating with Youth and Communities - Líf, Annakaisa, and Jan Marco
1. Briefly, can you give some examples of working with and supporting youth and communities in policymaking focusing on biodiversity?
2. Based on the example that you gave, what recommendations do you have for other policymakers wanting to work with youth and communities?
3. From your point of view: What are the barriers to policymakers taking up the knowledge or evidence from scientists with regards to nature conservation?
11:00-11:05 Break
11:05-11:45 Breakout Room Discussions
11:45-12:00 Closing - Each group presents a short summary of their discussion

Discussion questions

What are the barriers to including youth in decision making?
How could co-operation between policymakers, scientists, and youth be made more effective with decision making?
What needs to happen (what are the next steps) so that we can see change in actions for nature conservation as regional development?
How do we establish and maintain good relationships between scientists, youth and policymakers that are based on trust?

Online workshop 3: Scientists Collaborating with Communities and Policymakers

21/3/2025

Description: Norway and Iceland led this workshop which focused on involving communities in knowledge sharing and creation, including place-based actions from conception to policy. The invited speakers included scientists working with local and national stakeholders; representatives of various community services; and knowledge brokers who shared their experience and outlined ways to work more effectively together for community resilience and biodiversity protection.

Speakers

Skúli Skúlason is a professor in evolutionary biology at Holar University and Icelandic Museum of Natural History. Skúli is a senior scientist with experience in implementing science into policy and working with stakeholders at the local, national, and international levels. He is the chairman for the board of BIODICE (biodiversity in Iceland initiative), and is involved in the progress of implementing biodiversity into policymaking. More about BIOIDICE here.
Máret Johansdatter Heatta, Doctoral Research Fellow, UiT-Arctic University of Norway, is a Sami descendant based in Guovdageaidnu, Sápmi (Norway), where most of her family lives. Currently, Máret leads the CITE project (Climate Change Impact on Terrestrial Ecosystems), an innovative initiative initiated by the Sámi Council and AMAP that fosters equitable co-production of knowledge between reindeer herders and researchers in Sápmi. In parallel with her leadership role in CITE, Máret is completing her doctoral studies at the Sámi University of Applied Sciences in partnership with UIT. Her PhD work also focuses on the co-production of knowledge, engaging closely with Sami knowledge holders. More about the CITE project here.
Delphin Ruché is the founder and director of Rissa Citizen Science. Delphin is a field biologist with a background in research and nature conservation. Rissa is a foundation supporting charitable and non profit conservation efforts based in Tromsø, northern Norway. Rissa has a number of projects related to biodiversity, including Kittiwakes, Kelp forests, owls and working with the Ånderdalen National Park in Senja. More about Rissa Citizen Science here.

Workshop Agenda

10:00–10:05 Opening and presenters introductions -Jenny
10:05-10:12 Introduction topic: Scientists Collaborating with Communities and Policymakers, Jenny Turton
10:13-10:15 Introduction to the questions for discussion- Jenny
10:15-10:35 Case study 1: Implementing biodiversity into policymaking with BIODICE, Skúli Skúlason
10:35-10:55 Case study 2 : Rissa Citizen Science, Delphin Ruché
10:55-11:05 Break – Reminder of questions.
11:05-11:25 Case study 3: Co-production of knowledge in the CITE project, Máret J. Heatta
11:30-10:35 Reminder of questions
11:35-12:10 Breakout Room Discussions
12:10-12:30 Closing- Each group prepares to present their tasks
12:20-12:25 Jenny leads to the survey
12:25-12:30 Jenny closes the session

Discussion questions

What strategies do scientists have for engaging with communities?
Question split depending on breakout room
1. Breakout rooms with scientists: What are some solutions and what are some actions we can do internationally at the local level? (Thinking about the local workshops in Work Package 2)
2. Breakout rooms with non-scientists: If you've tried to engage scientists in your work, what is the feedback when you approach scientists about working with you? Is it time limitation, funding, interest…?

Online workshop 2: Recognizing Local and Indigenous Knowledge

9/1/2025

Description: This workshop was led by the University of Lapland and focused on Recognizing Local and Indigenous Knowledge.
The discussions covered regionally adaptable models and activities related to nature, biodiversity, and sustainable development, as well as social and cultural knowledge-sharing models. This session explored the value of co-creation with local knowledge holders in the Nordic and Arctic regions, with a special emphasis on intergenerational knowledge, the Arctic ecosystem, and Sámi perspectives. We highlighted how collaboration fosters understanding and promotes sustainable practices.

Speakers

Niila-Juhán Valkeapää is the Vice-Chair of the Sámi Parliament's Youth Council and an active advocate for Sámi rights. The Youth Council operates under the Sámi Parliament and works to promote the position of Sámi youth in Finland. Valkeapää has been actively involved in issues concerning Indigenous rights and the green transition, bringing a youth perspective to these pressing topics. More about the Sámi Youth Council here.
Rauni Äärelä-Vihriälä is a Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Lapland. She is working in the Reconceptualizing Boundaries Together Towards Resilient and Just Arctic Future(s) (REBOUND) project, funded by the Strategic Research Council (SRC) under the Research Council of Finland and as a project manager in the CAP-SHARE Interreg NPA project. Read about REBOUND here and more about Rauni's research here.
Theresa Henke has recently finished her PhD at the University of Iceland. In her PhD she looked at the establishment of alien European flounder (Platichthys flesus) in Icelandic waters with a focus on human dimensions and stakeholder involvement. In September 2024, she started a postdoctoral research position at the EEZA-CSIC in Almeria, Spain, where she will continue her research on human dimensions of biological invasions. Read more about Theresa's PhD thesis here.

Workshop Agenda

10:00–10:05 Opening and presenters introductions - Rauni
10:05-10:12 Introduction topic: Recognizing local and indigenous knowledge, Rauni Äärelä-Vihriälä
10:13-10:15 Introduction to the questions for discussion, Rauni
10:15-10:30 Case study 1: Perspectives of Sámi Youth on the Green Transition and Its Impact on Nature and Livelihoods, Niila-Juhán Valkeapää
10:30-10:45 Case study 2: Intergenerational aspects in just green transition in Northern Finland, Rauni Äärelä-Vihriälä
10:45-11:00 Case study 3: Involving the recreational angling community in the research on alien European flounder in Iceland, Theresa Henke
11:00-11:15 Break - Reminder of questions
11:15-12:10 Breakout Room Discussions
12:10-12:30 Closing - Each group prepares to present their tasks
12:20-12:25 Rauni leads to the survey
12:25-12:30 Session closing - Rauni

Discussion questions
Two questions based on the needs for recognizing local and indigenous knowledge:

How could discussions about biodiversity be implemented at the local level?
How should intergenerational aspects be taken into account in biodiversity discussions?

Online workshop 1: Capacity Sharing for Biodiversity as Community and Regional Development

11/10/2024

Description:
Community development is seen as both a process (developing the ability to act collectively); and an outcome where collective action leads to improvement in a community. Rural northern regions have rich, sensitive, and crucial biodiversity. Its conservation is interlinked with the capacity of the area’s scientists, policymakers, and communities to collaborate towards a common goal. But barriers in collaboration with communities, particularly when it comes to vulnerable and under-represented groups, lead to disempowerment and inefficient conservation practices. In this workshop we discussed the needs and opportunities for community and regional development focusing on capacity sharing for biodiversity. Our guest speakers shared their experiences with community and regional development so that others who are interested in acting locally may have a better understanding of how to do so. All participants who joined us online were invited to breakout rooms to discuss the three questions posed by the workshop. Results from these discussions will be published in a summary document coming soon.

Speakers

Ragnhildur Guðmundsdóttir, doctor of biology and museum educator at the Icelandic Museum of Natural History, is the CAP-SHARE project leader. She is also part of the BIODICE network and focuses on promoting the importance of biodiversity conservation in Iceland and the Arctic. Read more about BIODICE here.
Jessica Aquino is the communication manager for CAP-SHARE and an Associate Professor at Hólar University. She is the co-founder of the youth organization and CAP-SHARE associated partner Húnaklúbburinn where she is involved in community-based action and youth engagement. Read more about Húnaklúbburinn here.
Kristín Vala Þrastardóttir is the Project Manager of HeimaHöfn at the Nýheimar Knowledge Center. Nýheimarconnects young people directly to resources and people in their communities to encourage connection to place and highlight opportunities near home for careers they are interested in. Read more about Nýheimar here.
Eva Björk Káradóttir is the Director of the Húsavík Whale Museum. One of the goals of the museum is to open local dialogue on conservation through environmental education, support and organization of local events, and community engagement. Read more about the Húsavík Whale Museum here.
Pigga Keskitalo is a Professor of Education at the University of Lapland focusing on Arctic education perspectives, and adjunct Professor of education at the University of Helsinki. She leads several research projects at both institutions. Previously she has worked for 20 years in Norway in Sámi teacher education at Sámi University of Applied Sciences. Pigga’s goal is to strengthen the understanding of the different logics that affect education and training. Increasing the understanding between people, meeting others and reviving languages are topical themes that Pigga believes should receive more attention in our diverse world, like the meaning of land-based education and traditional knowledge in education. Read more about Pigga's work here.
Rauni Äärelä-Vihriälä, Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Lapland, is working in the Reconceptualizing Boundaries Together Towards Resilient and Just Arctic Future(s) (REBOUND) project, funded by the Strategic Research Council (SRC) under the Research Council of Finland. She is also a project manager in the CAP-SHARE Interreg NPA project. She has extensive and diverse experience in both classroom teaching, school leading and teacher education. She has been working as a sámi teacher educator in the Sámi Teacher Education Program, Sámi language teacher, and immersion preschool teacher. Her research area focuses are in the indigenous educational field, especially in Sámi education, language revitalization, language nest pedagogy, language immersion, green transition and sustainability in education. Read about REBOUND here and more about Rauni's research here.
Hanna Helander is the Project Manager for the Pilot project on distance education in the Sámi languages of the municipality of Utsjoki, Finland. Previously, she worked as researcher at the University of Lapland in the ADVOST research project that was funded by the Academy of Finland. She is finalizing her doctoral studies on Sámi storytelling and upbringing at the University of Oulu. Helander has a teacher education degree on the subject of Finnish language as mother tongue and literature. She is a Sámi PhD student living in Inari, Northern Finland. Read more about the pilot project on distance education in the Sámi languages here (in Inari, Skolt & Northern Sámi, as well as Finnish).

Workshop Agenda

10:00–10:05 Opening and presenters introductions - Ragnhildur and Jessica
10:05-10:15 Introduction topic: Introduction to biodiversity, Ragnhildur Guðmundsdóttir
10:15-10:25 Introduction topic: Introduction to Community and Regional development, Jessica Aquino
10:25-10:40 Case study 1: Youth seen as assets for regional development, Kristín Vala Þrastardóttir
10:40-10:55 Case study 2: Connecting Community and Conservation: The Húsavík Whale Museum’s Role in Biodiversity Awareness, Eva Björk Káradóttir
10:55-11:00 Break – Reminder of questions for the audience - Rauni
11:00-11:10 Introduction topic: Introduction to sustaining life in the Sámi perspective, Pigga Keskitalo
11:10-11:25 Case study 3: Justice and Sustainability in the Green Transition: A Sámi Education Perspective, Rauni Äärelä-Vihriälä
11:25-11:40 Case study 4: Long-distance Sámi language education and how it relates to community development and biodiversity, Hanna Helander
11:40-11:45 Break - Reminder of questions for the audience
11:45-12:25 Breakout Room Discussions (breakout rooms: Jessica, Jenny, Ragnhildur/Cécile, and Rauni moderate)
12:25-12:35 Closing Ragnhildur, Jessica, Rauni, and Jenny. Jessica asks people to take the online survey

Discussion questions
These are based on the speakers and on needs and opportunities for community and regional development:

What are the needs in the Arctic areas regarding using biodiversity conservation actions for community and regional development? What are the barriers?
What opportunities do you see for capacity sharing in the arctic regions towards biodiversity conservation that would address these needs and barriers?
What actions need to be taken right now in order to move forward
1. What role should museums have in this? (example follow-up question)

CAP-SHARE Kick-Off Online Meeting

4/9/2024

Description: This workshop focused on building capacity among project partners and the foundation for work throughout the project. Although work developing the project outline began jointly in September 2023 with Youth for Arctic Nature (YAN), this workshop finalized the Partnership Agreement such as roles and responsibilities based on the agreed milestones, deliverables, communication plan, financial management, and reporting for the CAP-SHARE project. The workshops also discussed capacity sharing in stakeholder involvement and knowledge exchange along with ethical practices. We outlined strategies to help support stakeholder involvement, making sure that vulnerable groups are heard. Furthermore, strategies in recruiting people who are not often active in community development projects were introduced, for example, working with youth.

Agenda:

What is CAP-SHARE
Partnership agreement
Next steps

CAP-SHARE Past Events

Online workshop 4: Policymakers Collaborating with Youth and Communities

Online workshop 3: Scientists Collaborating with Communities and Policymakers

Online workshop 2: Recognizing Local and Indigenous Knowledge

Online workshop 1: Capacity Sharing for Biodiversity as Community and Regional Development

CAP-SHARE Kick-Off Online Meeting

Search Past Events

Archives

Categories

PARTNERS

FUNDED BY

Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (2024-2027)

The Icelandic Climate Fund (2020-2021)

The Nordic Cooperation (2021-2024)