The Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme took centre stage at the 2025 Arctic Frontiers Conference in Tromsø, Norway. This year’s theme, “Beyond Borders”, perfectly aligned with Interreg’s mission of supporting transformative ideas across Arctic and Near-Arctic regions.
Dr Caitriona Strain, General Manager of ERNACT, was invited to speak at the conference, sharing valuable insights from ERNACT’s leadership in Arctic clustering projects focused on regional development. Drawing from extensive experience in digital innovation, Dr Strain highlighted the lessons learned from cross-regional collaborations, particularly in broadening the reach of digital public services. She emphasised how clustering projects can harness synergies to achieve greater impact through cooperation across programme areas.
Reflecting on her participation, Dr Strain stated:
“It was a privilege to contribute to discussions at the Arctic Frontiers Conference in Tromsø, Norway, and share ERNACT’s experience in leading Arctic clustering projects. Collaborating across regions has demonstrated the value of digitalisation for enhancing public services. By working together beyond borders, we can create more resilient and innovative regions that benefit from shared knowledge and expertise.”
During the event, Dr Strain also met with Claire Buckley, the Irish Ambassador to Norway and Iceland, to discuss ERNACT’s ongoing leadership and involvement in NPA projects. Their discussions underscored the importance of strengthening connections and advancing digital innovation across Arctic regions.
Interreg NPA’s active role at Arctic Frontiers 2025 reinforces the value of cross-border cooperation in driving regional resilience and digital transformation beyond geographical boundaries.