The creative economy: Tackling employability and growth in the Arctic sustainably

Industrial activity in the Arctic endangers its environment and wildlife. To help counter this, an international project known as BRIDGE matches university students from three Arctic countries with small local businesses to work on case studies aimed at growing the region’s creative economy. As MIKHAIL UKSUSOV explains, it could be a model for how youth, academia and local businesses can work together in the future.

If you mention the “Arctic economy,” most people will imagine mining and other large-scale industrial projects that deplete the Arctic’s natural resources and harm the environment. They envision the Arctic as an unpopulated expanse of snow and ice with plenty of natural assets to be exploited and few other avenues for economic activity.

But it doesn’t have to be that way—and a project known as BRIDGE is trying to make sure it isn’t.

BRIDGE stands for “Barents region initiative for growth and employability.” It connects academia, youth and small businesses in the Arctic in an effort to build a creative economy in the region as an alternative to the resource-based economy. The groups work together on case studies meant to achieve environmental and economic sustainability in the Arctic.

Many youth are not aware that the Arctic is home to a number of businesses that are essentially passion projects for their owners. These businesses yield moderate incomes without harming the environment. They have a lot to offer to youth in search of employment.

To make sure youth recognize these opportunities, BRIDGE brings students from five universities in Russia, Norway and Finland together into international and multidisciplinary student teams to work on business cases. The cases aim to help businesses become more visible and profitable. The programme’s combination of youthful energy backed by the skills and knowledge of professional coaches and researchers is a great asset.

What does all of this have to do with the environment?

Think about the consequences for a remote location if its inhabitants abandon it (or live there only seasonally) because there are no jobs: people are not usually committed to places they’ve never seen or to which they feel no sense of responsibility. In this way, depopulation can make a place less sustainable.

But a stronger creative economy could benefit small Arctic communities by attracting youth and motivating them to stay. Youth with education and some hands-on experience have a lot to offer. Their presence, commitment and contributions could improve not only the services available within individual communities, but the Arctic’s overall sustainability and economic performance.

BRIDGE participants team up with businesses to run ecological excursions and nature experiences (such as wildlife- and bird-watching expeditions), local food production and catering (such as greenhouse facilities and ice cream production), cultural and Indigenous experiences (like arts festival management or tours with Saami people), and even information technology (like educational games development), to name just a few examples. Students develop insights and analysis to help these companies rethink their everyday activities and grow.

The businesses benefit, but so do the youth: they explore their creative potential, engage in hands-on learning, acquire new skills, and—most importantly—begin to recognize the potential for interesting employment in the region.

Has BRIDGE completely reshaped the Arctic’s economic image? Not yet—that could take decades. But what we know for sure is that in Arctic countries, academia, youth and businesses of all sizes should be taking steps toward each other every day. It is exactly this kind of brainstorming on challenging projects that may bring polar communities closer to responsible governance for a sustainable Arctic.