Building synergies beyond and within borders

Synergies occur when different organisations, teams, or elements work together in a way that their combined impact is greater than the sum of their individual contributions. Last week, the NPA team went all out, attending two events focused on building synergies!

Interreg Transnational programmes joining forces

In Dublin, at the Annual event of Interreg North West Europe, Intereg NPA Head of Secretariat, Kirsti Mijhnijmer, joined the panel  "Creating synergies for greater impact". Kirsti shared the NPA programme’s experience of organising calls with Interreg Aurora through the Interreg Arctic Cooperation, showcasing one of many examples of how synergies can be developed among Interreg programmes. 

“It was fantastic to be invited by Interreg NWE, and to meet also with transnational colleagues from Interreg North Sea and Interreg Atlantic area” said Kirsti. The programmes agreed to further explore connections between them, fostering collaborative ideas to strengthen cooperation opportunities. 

Finnish and Icelandic partners shaping the future

Meanwhile, in Finland, the Regional Council of Lapland organised the Finnish Partners national event, an inspiring gathering held at Centria's Robotics Lab in Ylivieska. On the agenda the forthcoming Arctic Clustering call, partner reporting and control, and the NPA post 2027 consultation workshop.

Kalle Pakalén, from the Secretariat, participated at the event, “It is always positive to meet the partners in person” says Kalle, “it is a great opportunity for looking together into solutions and talking about different aspects of the cooperation”.  

Partners from 13 projects came together, joined by representatives from the Ostrobothnia and Central Ostrobothnia Unions, as well as Oulu Regional Council, to discuss Interreg NPA programme’s relevance to the Finnish regions.

Earlier this month, the Icelandic Regional Development Institute hosted an online meeting for Icelandic NPA partners, led by Reinhard Reynisson, the Regional Contact Point. Christopher Parker from the Secretariat joined to highlight current NPA activities, including preparations for the Interreg Arctic Cooperation clustering call. Reinhard also led a workshop on the NPA’s post-2027 consultation, engaging 15 Icelandic partners in discussions about the future of their cooperation. 

Special thanks to the Interreg NPA Regional Contact points organising these events, Paula Mikkola & Maiju Jolma-Taylor from Lapinliitto, Reinhard Reynisson from Byggðastofnun, and to Petri Haapalainen from TEM for sharing insightful perspectives.

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