Participation and empowerment of Arctic coastal, local, and indigenous communities in environmental decision-making

Addressing ongoing Arctic environmental and societal changes requires that all relevant knowledge, indigenous/traditional and scientific knowledge alike, is mobilised to respond and govern the challenges posed by those changes, and communities empowered to take part in environmental decision-making.

Proposals are expected to contribute to sustainable and inclusive development, incorporating a better understanding of the environmental, socio-economic, cultural and demographic drivers of change. They will investigate the participation of indigenous and local communities in the governance of their livelihoods and environmental decision-making. Proposals should explore how different ways of knowing, worldviews and perspectives can be brought in dialogue, to enhance understanding and to better respond to the impacts of climate, environmental and related socio-economic changes on Arctic people’s livelihoods and the environment. Furthermore, how coastal, local, and indigenous communities could be empowered via participatory research processes, to get involved in environmental decision-making. Proposals should identify opportunities for partnerships and co-production of knowledge based on indigenous and scientific ways of knowing.

Proposals should explore how different ways of knowing, worldviews and perspectives can be brought in dialogue, to enhance understanding and to better respond to the impacts of climate, environmental and related socio-economic changes on Arctic people’s livelihoods and the environment. Furthermore, how coastal, local, and indigenous communities could be empowered via participatory research processes, to get involved in environmental decision-making. Proposals should identify opportunities for partnerships and co-production of knowledge based on indigenous and scientific ways of knowing.

Several potential coastal sectors can be addressed, however the proposal will ensure inclusion of marine protection, food security, climate adaptation and resilience strategies, but also other activities such as leisure activities and eco-socio-compatible tourism development in coastal areas.

Projects should include representation from multiple disciplines of research, including environmental, marine, social, cultural, health, design.

Attention should be given to different capacity building and social learning arrangements as well as to innovative governance mechanisms at various levels, and their potential implications for social innovation.

This topic is expected to involve the effective contribution of SSH disciplines. The proposals should adopt a responsible and solidary approach where Arctic local and indigenous communities are seen as research partners, using participatory methods and bottom-up co-creation. Participation of Arctic indigenous partners in the project is encouraged, to be involved from the outset in the co-development of the research proposal. Engaging with local authorities during the project would help increase implementation of the project outcomes and support further uptake.

Projects should build on existing knowledge and integrate results from multiple origins, including other EU, international or national projects. Some cooperation activities with projects financed under Destination ‘Biodiversity and ecosystem services’ and topics of the European Green Deal Call could be included, as well as with relevant projects from other EU programmes, for example the Horizon Europe Missions Ocean, seas and waters and Adaptation to Climate Change.

International cooperation is encouraged, with a strong linkage with the ongoing activities under the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance and encouraging participation from countries that take part in the Arctic Science Ministerial meetings.