APM-North project strengthens Arctic resilience, migration, and entrepreneurship in Arctic regions

Arctic regions are experiencing profound transformations driven by climate change, demographic change, geopolitical uncertainty, labour market challenges, and economic restructuring. In this changing environment, communities increasingly need new approaches to strengthen resilience, social cohesion, and preparedness. The APM-North project responds to these challenges by examining how migration, entrepreneurship, and local knowledge systems interact in shaping resilient Arctic futures.

The overall goal of the project is to develop a socially embedded and circumpolar understanding of crisis preparedness among immigrant entrepreneurs in Arctic contexts, while strengthening knowledge collaboration, educational innovation, and policy relevance in line with the UArctic Strategic Plan 2030.

The project will bring together researchers and partners across Arctic regions to strengthen interdisciplinary cooperation on migration, preparedness, resilience, and entrepreneurship.

“Preparedness in Arctic regions is not only about infrastructure and emergency systems; it is also about people, relationships, and the capacity of communities to cooperate during uncertainty. Immigrant entrepreneurs are important actors who contribute to economic vitality, social connections, and local resilience,” says Dr. Mohammad Musfequs Salehin, Tromsø University, Lead of the APM-North project.

Through comparative empirical research, including focus groups across Arctic regions, the project will generate new insights into how entrepreneurs experience and respond to crises, uncertainty, and changing social conditions. The findings will be translated into policy-relevant outputs supporting more inclusive and resilient Arctic development.

“Migration and entrepreneurship are often discussed separately from crisis preparedness, but in reality, they are deeply connected. Diverse communities bring new knowledge, networks, and capacities that can strengthen regional resilience when they are recognized and supported,” says Dr. Nafisa Yeasmin, project co-lead and expert in immigrant entrepreneurship and Arctic communities.  Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu.

The project also explores the role of education and knowledge exchange in strengthening Arctic cooperation. One important outcome will be the assessment of the feasibility and conceptual foundations of a potential UArctic-level online course on migration, preparedness, and Arctic socio-economic resilience, supporting future learning opportunities across the circumpolar North.

“The Arctic is facing complex and interconnected challenges that require collaboration across disciplines, communities, and borders. By connecting research on migration, entrepreneurship, and preparedness, APM-North aims to create knowledge that supports more adaptive and sustainable Arctic societies,” says Santeri Halonen, project coordinator, Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu.

Key activities of the APM-North project include:

• Strengthening cross-disciplinary Arctic academic cooperation in migration, preparedness, and resilience
• Developing a shared conceptual framework linking economy, migration, and crisis preparedness
• Gathering comparative empirical insights through focus groups across Arctic regions.
• Translating research findings into policy-relevant recommendations
• Preparing at least one joint follow-up research funding application
• Exploring the foundations for a future UArctic-level online course on migration, preparedness, and Arctic socio-economic resilience.

The APM-North project contributes to broader discussions on how Arctic communities can build resilience through inclusive participation, knowledge collaboration, and socially embedded approaches to development. By focusing on the experiences and contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs, the project seeks to strengthen understanding of how diverse communities can prepare for and adapt to future uncertainties.

More information

Mohammad Salehin, Centre for Geopolitics, Peace & Security (GPS), UiT The Arctic University of Norway, E-post: mohammad.salehin@uit.no