Arctic PASSION were present at the Arctic Frontiers 2025: Beyond Borders in Tromsø, Norway, from January 27th–30th, where our partners engaged in insightful discussions and showcased some of our latest project developments. Here are some of the highlights from our events: 

Ensuring effective uptake of knowledge from EU-funded Arctic projects by local and regional decision-makers  

This side event focused on how to ensure that knowledge and recommendations from EU-funded programmes and projects like Arctic PASSION, Arctic Urban and Regional Cooperation (AURC), and Youth Together for Arctic Futures were effectively shared with local and regional decision-makers. Participants discussed whether project outputs met their needs and explored key issues from their perspectives. The session examined communication and implementation strategies to enhance long-term utility for governance, research institutions, and funding agencies. Panelists identified gaps and potential case studies for future projects, emphasizing the importance of clear responsibility in applying recommendations.

Panelists from diverse backgrounds, including research institutions, policymakers, and Indigenous organizations, discussed strategies to ensure the practical implementation of EU-funded Arctic research outcomes. The session highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and governance for long-term impact.

Speakers from left to right: Michael Karcher (Physical Oceanographer, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI)), Miguel Roncero (International Relations Officer, European Commission), Gunn-Britt Retter (Head of Arctic- and Environmental Unit, Saami Council), Malgorzata Smieszek-Rice (Research Fellow, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway), Ronja Wedegärtner (Project Leader, WWF Global, Arctic Programme), Anne Rännäli-Kontturi (International Affairs Manager, City of Oulu) and Adam Stepien (Political Scientist, Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland). Photo by Lisa Grosfeld.

The future of Arctic science funding

The side event examined the current landscape of national and international funding for Arctic research, emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration among funding agencies. With the next International Polar Year (IPY) approaching in 2032-33, participants discussed ways to enhance international research cooperation. Two panels were held: one featuring authorities and funding agencies, and the other consisting of scientists with extensive international experience. The discussions highlighted emerging collaboration patterns and provided recommendations on uniting efforts to support Arctic research leading up to the next IPY.

Left: First panel from left to right: David Hik (Chief Scientist and Executive Director, Polar Knowledge Canada), Volker Rachold (Head of German Arctic Office), Jon Fuglestad (Special advisor, Research Council of Norway) and moderator Christina I. M. Abildgaard (Director, Department for Ocean and Polar Research, The Research Council of Norway). Second panel from left to right: Michael Karcher (Physical Oceanographer, AWI), Jørgen Berge (Researcher, UiT), Amy MacFarlane (Postdoctoral Researcher, UiT), Marja Helene Sivonen (Researcher, Finnish Environment Agency) ) and moderator Christina I. M. Abildgaard. Photos by Lisa Grosfeld.

International Polar Year V: Research, Data and Science Cooperation Part 1 

During this event, we addressed the growing need for Arctic research cooperation and diplomacy, as identified by the Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV). With geopolitical tensions rising and Arctic change accelerating, participants emphasized the importance of scientific collaboration, particularly in preparing for the next International Polar Year (2032-2033). Discussions highlighted the crucial role of integrated observing systems in understanding climate dynamics, ecosystem responses, and sustainable development.

Volker Rachold (Head of German Arctic Office). Photo by Lisa Grosfeld.

Poster session: 

Arctic PASSION partners presented a poster on the pan-Arctic network of Distributed Biological Observatories (DBOs). For more than a decade, this collaborative concept has functioned as a "detection array" for marine ecosystem changes and trends in the Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean. Now it is being expanded into other key sectors of the Arctic, including Davis Strait and Baffin Bay, the Atlantic Arctic gateway area, and the East Siberian Sea. This development has been greatly facilitated by Arctic PASSION. Through long-term marine time series hosted within the networks and the common practices now being developed, this framework could function as one of the backbones for the observational programs undertaken during the upcoming International Polar Year.

From left to right: Marit Reigstad (UiT), Christina Goethel (UMCES), Anna Nikolopoulos (NPI/UiT) and Michael Karcher (AWI). Photo by Eva M. Ingvadóttir.