Future Options
The project commenced in April 2002 with funding from the European Union Interreg IIIA / Kolarctic -fund, the State Provincial Office of Lapland and the state of Norway. The first stage of the program will continue until the end of 2003 and the possibility of receiving funding until 2005/6 have been discussed. Different funding possibilities for the Russian partner institutions are also under negotiations.
The future vision of the project partners is a prosperous and innovative Barents region, which draws its strength from a rich cultural heritage and unique arctic nature. Ideally the concept of “The Barents region” transfers from a political idea into concrete action so that the area has strong cooperation ties between the four countries at all levels of society.