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ERNACT to lead newly approved Interreg Arctic Clustering project INCLUDE
ERNACT has been confirmed as Lead Partner of the newly approved Interreg Arctic Clustering project INCLUDE, following approval by the Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme.
INCLUDE addresses a shared challenge across NPA regions: unlocking the full potential of communities to actively shape prosperous, sustainable and resilient territories. Many public authorities face persistent barriers, including skills gaps, limited engagement of young people and minority groups in decision-making processes, increasing demands linked to climate change adaptation, and the complexity of fostering strong, place-based economies. INCLUDE responds to these challenges by strengthening collaboration between public authorities and communities, supported by digital innovation.
The overall objective of INCLUDE is to enhance the capacity of public authorities and their communities to jointly shape and develop their territories. The project places a strong emphasis on participatory governance and on the practical use of digital tools to support more inclusive and resilient territorial development.
A central output of the project will be the creation of a Community of Practice (CoP) targeted at public authorities and their communities. The CoP will focus on using digital innovation as a foundation for actively involving society in the design and implementation of actions that contribute to sustainable, prosperous and resilient territories. The Community of Practice will initially bring together 24 partners previously involved in the MINDSET, InnoGS and Innovation in Urban Planning projects, ensuring effective capitalisation of existing experience, methods and results.
INCLUDE has a total budget of EUR 199,873.15 and is delivered by a transnational partnership led by ERNACT, in cooperation with Savonia University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and the Municipality of Harnosand (Sweden).
As Lead Partner, ERNACT will coordinate the overall delivery of the project, facilitate knowledge exchange across the partnership and ensure that the Community of Practice provides practical value to public authorities and communities across the NPA area. Through INCLUDE, ERNACT continues its commitment to supporting digital innovation, inclusive governance and collaborative territorial development across Europe’s northern and peripheral regions.