EPRC Conference conclusions - Collaboration initiative for sustainable regional Arctic development ARC-NET 1

EPRC Possible strategic objectives Utility –to enhance the relevance of territorial cooperation for individuals and communities in the Arctic and near- Arctic (e.g. ownership, engagement, capacity) Efficiency –to improve the management and delivery of territorial cooperation intervention (e.g. coherence, integration, targeting of activities/support; learning and adaptation) Effectiveness –to increase the impact and added-value of projects and programmes (what works, what doesn’t) 2

EPRC Possible activities Information sharing and knowledge exchange among programme stakeholders (where is there scope for cooperation?) Programming; common Arctic-related themes and priorities (where are shared interests) and linking policy and strategies to people Project generation: form and timing of project calls and mobilisation of applicants (e.g. animation and brokerage, avoiding competition, maximising added value, ensuring integration, involving communities) Project appraisal and selection: appraisal processes and selection criteria (e.g. taking account of lessons, promoting synergies, responding to unpredictability and variability of Arctic development, maximising community benefit) Project follow-up and support: facilitating cross-programme links across clusters of projects, supporting sustainability and legacy of projects (including post-project advice for beneficiaries) Monitoring and evaluation: sharing methodologies and information on outcomes of projects (what works, esp. for communities) 3

EPRC Possible activities Other forms of capacity building Information and intelligence on the environment – horizon scanning (physical, political, policy,…..), and accessibility of information learning – supporting the development of a learning culture (systems, tools, human resources) 4

EPRC Possible structure Form has to follow function – what model would best facilitate the activities? Conference discussions: interest in establishing a network for regional collaboration (reinforcing earlier discussions) multi-nodal proposed – better than a single node? Norwegian proposal for a key node in Tromsø; other nodes being discussed thematic or functional focus (foci) – which? complementarity with other initiatives (e.g. proposed EU Arctic Information Centre) 5

EPRC Next steps Further work needed: clarification of specific option(s) for structure, functions and resources  concrete proposal consultation among governments and other stakeholders consultation with the Commission and EEAS consultation with established cooperation frameworks and platforms in the area 6