EU Arctic Forum and Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue and Arctic Youth Dialogue 2025

25–27 June 2025 | Kittilä, Finland – Levi Summit Event Centre. Cultural day and workshops for the Arctic Youth Dialogue cohort begin 22 June 2025.

The EU Arctic Forum, Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue and Arctic Youth Dialogue 2025 is one of the most significant events on Arctic cooperation and policy in Europe. Organized by the European Commission, it brings together Arctic stakeholders from across the circumpolar North and beyond—Indigenous leaders, youth representatives, scientists, civil society organizations, businesses, and high-level decision-makers.

The three-part event provides a platform for discussing the environmental, social, and economic challenges facing the Arctic, as well as opportunities for inclusive and sustainable development.

Key themes include climate resilience, Indigenous governance, youth leadership, innovation, mobility, and the Arctic’s role in global sustainability.

The Arctic Youth Dialogue, running in parallel, ensures young Arctic leaders contribute directly to shaping future EU and Arctic policies through live dialogues and policy recommendations. The Arctic Youth Dialogues, is an initiative of the European Union and a key deliverable under the EU Arctic policy.

Supporting the Arctic Youth Dialogue, the Youth Together for Arctic Futures is a four-year EU-funded project, led by the WWF Global Arctic Programme, aimed to support a critical mass of Arctic and European youth with knowledge, skills, and opportunities to work towards implementing good climate and nature policy for the Arctic.

Arctic Youth Dialogue Workshops (23–25 June 2025)

Before the main events begin, youth participants will gather for three days of workshops designed to build community, foster collaboration, and shape concrete policy proposals.

Workshop sessions include:

• What does sufficiency mean to youth, and how can we work towards finding balance in consumption to address impacts of overconsumption?
• How can sustainable industries develop in harmony with the Arctic environment and communities?
• How can we create a more interconnected Arctic through sustainable and accessible transportation?
• What do youth need to drive sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship in the Arctic?

The resulting policy recommendations will be discussed with decision makers on 25 June and then presented and debated publicly during the EU Arctic Youth Dialogue on 27 June. Participants will also take on active roles as speakers, moderators, and panelists during the official event.

WWF at the EU Arctic Forum and Indigenous PeopleS’ Dialogue

Arctic management models

26 June 2025 | 11:15–12:10

Increasing interest in Arctic resources, infrastructure, transport, and tourism requires emphasis on management. This panel will focus on the traditional and contemporary management models developed by Indigenous peoples in the Arctic, focusing on their deep-rooted knowledge systems, practices, and governance structures. The panelists will highlight how these management models emphasize sustainability, stewardship, and resilience, offering valuable insights for modern conservation and climate change adaptation strategies.

WWF Global Arctic Programme Director Vicki Lee Wallgren will speak at this session.

WWF at the Arctic Youth Dialogue

Young Arctic leaders and entrepreneurs for a just and sustainable Arctic

26 June 2025 | 10:15–11:10

This session will feature speakers who have taken innovative approaches to leadership, including entrepreneurial initiatives that promote sustainable practices in Arctic communities. The focus will be on the transformative potential of youth leadership in achieving a just sustainable transition and will feed into the policymakers’ actions to bring youth onboard in driving meaningful change. WWF Global Arctic Programme supports youth participants contributing to this session.

Youth leading in the just sustainable transition

27 June 2025 | 09:20–10:15

Youth-led pitches of policy recommendations for the EU Arctic policy, developed through participatory workshops and an interactive session with EU policymakers.

Sustainable Arctic mobility: Getting where we need to be

27 June 2025 | 10:50–11:45

Challenges and opportunities of mobility and connectivity in the Arctic. The panel addresses regional and international efforts to improve connectivity in a rapidly changing climate and the need for green and accessible mobility, the role of digital infrastructure, the provision of and access to e-services, etc. The session combines an open circle discussion and a panel debate, bringing together diverse voices from Indigenous leaders, youth advocates, policy experts and non-Indigenous youth leaders.

How can sustainable industries develop in harmony with the Arctic environment

27 June 2025 | 11:50–12:45

This session explores the complexities of achieving a just and sustainable transition in the Arctic from a youth perspective. A dynamic debate focused on navigating the tensions and synergies between Arctic conservation and industry development, addressing the needs of youth, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities as well as global populations.

This publication was funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the WWF Global Arctic Programme and partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.