On 19 June 2018, the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme 2014-2020 announced that 9 new projects out of 29 applications have been approved by the monitoring committee on 12 June in Kirkenes, Norway. Among those 9 projects, EMERGREEN (or emerging technologies for greener communities) was allocated a budget of €1.5 million to increase innovation within public service provision in remote, sparsely populated areas. Brian Boyle, Chairperson of the ERNACT Interregional Management Committee (IMC), says:
"I am delighted to hear that the EMERGREEN project has been approved for funding under the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme. EMERGREEN will allow our partner authorities to further develop the innovative solutions developed under the IMPROVE project and will assist them to advance their smart specialisation strategies. Great credit is due to the partners involved, and particularly the staff of ERNACT EEIG for their work in formulating and presenting another successful funding proposal."
ERNACT will lead 6 partners from Ireland, Sweden, Finland, United Kingdom and Faroe Islands in this 3-year project to overcome the common territorial challenge of how to deliver quality and sustainable public services in remote areas, defeating factors such as long distances, high service delivery costs due to low demand aggregation, shortages in human and material resources, and lack of access to the latest innovations.
Lessons learned and findings from the
IMPROVE project have been key when making the decision of launching this project idea that will try to go one step beyond. EMERGREEN presents an open innovation approach where the community will be involved to ensure the project gives response to real demands.
Jose Manuel San Emeterio (Project Manager), says:
“EMERGREEN will allow us to exploit the potential that new digital emerging technologies have in the provision of public services aiming green growth. We will engage with 5 different communities across the Northern Periphery and Arctic Area to co-produce a range of new services and shared solutions including marine litter and zero waste circular management, green growth advisory services, intelligent green participation and data story telling for green energies uptake.”
Partners include: ERNACT (IE), Donegal County Council (IE), Association of Local Authorities Västernorrland (SE), Helsingin yliopisto (FI), Derry City and Strabane District Council (UK), National University of Ireland, Galway (IE) and Umhvørvisstovan (FO).