In the Lapland’s Arctic Specialisation Programme (S3) 2013, maintaining the sustainable development is the foundation for the strategic choices and priorities. Lapland lives out its natural resources and natural conditions, so the ability to maintain balance in sustainable development is a key issue for survival purposes under the Arctic conditions. Special challenges are posed by the broad international interest shown towards natural resources. In Lapland, the future business investments will, in one way or another, be based on the sustainable utilisation of natural resources and conditions, while also targeting increasing value added.
In practice, sustainable development in Lapland means sustainable societal development. The cornerstones of societal development are economic, ecological, social and cultural sustainability, whose mutual balance creates preconditions for socially sustainable development and safe living. Efforts have been taken to ensure balanced development in Lapland, with a view to addressing the needs of the whole region. In the updated S3 (strategic priorities for International and Smart Specialisation 2018-2022) Sustainable regional development builds upon three priorities Advanced Arctic business, Arctic knowledge and expertise, and Strong regional Ecosystem.
Case example
Advanced Arctic business – foundation for the growth.
Arctic Circular Economy – Arctic Industry and circular Economy Cluster. Towards a low-carbon and resource-efficient circular economy in the Arctic https://arcticsmartness.eu/wp-content/uploads/AS-spring_cafe_tabloid_web.pdf
Lapland systematically aims at building practices and co-operation models to increase the utilisation of industrial and societal side-streams. Regional co-operation and an open, network-oriented approach have brought actors together to identify the development needs and the potential of industrial circular economy. During the works, a systematic model of the process has been created. At the same time, different tools have been developed to promote the utilisation of industrial and societal side-streams, the industrial symbiosis, and the circular economy with a business approach in the context of an extensive collaboration network.
Circular economy is one of the strongest fields of potential expertise in Lapland and has favoured new entrepreneurship activities based on the management of industrial side streams. Managing the non-industrial side-streams in areas with long distances presents its own challenges. The systematic development of efficient solutions and practices has made Lapland a nationally and internationally respected expert. The goal is to incorporate management principles of the circular economy into all business activities.
Lapland regionis in the process to develop an overall Master plan for the SDGs taking into account the Arctic Specific Conditions for the new programming period 2021-2027. Lapland’s S3 has been updated is an integral part of the regional Master plan SDGs.