INTERREG III A Kolarctic:
Development of an environmental platform for the Northern Calotte and North West Russia

(Barents Environmental Platform)

1/2002 - 7/2005

The Barents Euro Arctic Region and especially North West Russia is extremely rich in natural resources but its ecosystem is fragile. To find the balance between today and the future, we need to cope with the existing environmental problems, and provide information about the environmental situation for researchers and future investors or companies wanting to make business with Russia.

A single body is not able to implement such a large scale program in this northern area. But Luleå University of Technology, the University of Oulu, the Rovaniemi Polytechnic, Arkhangelsk and Murmansk State Technical Universities and Kola Science Centre operating as a strong cross-border co-operation network are presently developing a platform of environmental knowledge to aid sustainable environmental and socio-economic development in North West Russia.

In this environmental platform, a network of experts and a common research program will be established, and the knowledge about Russia increased. An interactive database of existing research and collected data will be developed thus facilitating the designing of new projects. Sustainable services to companies, industries, future investors and authorities will be set up.