Waste can become water purification – six new Aurora projects receive co-financing
Collaborations around biomass, music events and local food supply. It is now clear which new projects will receive funding from the EU Interreg Aurora fund and from the Norrbotten Region.
The fund's funds will promote cross-border collaborations in the northern parts of Sweden, Finland and Norway. This time, a total of six Aurora projects will receive both EU funds and co-financing from Region Norrbotten's state funds for regional development.
One of the projects is about finding new uses for biomass that is currently seen as waste. The project sees opportunities to convert the waste into activated carbon that can then be used for, for example, water purification. Organic rest products as raw material for water-cleaning devices and energy storage devices (ORARWE) receives SEK 333 to explore the possibilities.
– It is fantastic that waste from, for example, forestry and agriculture can be reused and protect people from, for example, heavy metals in water. We believe that this project will contribute to the sustainable transition of Norrbotten companies, says Helena Ölund, chairwoman of the regional development committee.
ORARWE is run by Luleå University of Technology, BioFuel Region, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Åbo Akademi University of Applied Sciences and Novia University of Applied Sciences.
Projects Food education for the future aims to increase knowledge and understanding of the connection between food, food production and climate issues. It is aimed at teachers, catering staff and procurement staff. The project will contribute to increased local food supply. Luleå University of Technology will run the project in collaboration with Kalix Municipality, the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten County, the Natural Resources Institute (LUKE), Korsholm Municipality, Bodö Municipality, Nord University and the Swedish Association for Nature and Environment. The project is allocated SEK 1.
Arctic Music Circles will contribute to a richer cultural offering in the North, more specifically a richer offering of music events. Through the project, organizers and producers will meet and carry out collaborations across national borders. If the music resources available in Arctic Europe circulate in the countries, the offering will be greater. The project is run by Region Norrbotten in collaboration with Norrlandsoperan AB, Åbo Akademi University of Applied Sciences, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Oulun kaupunki, Nordland County Council, Troms County Council and the Nordnorsk Jazz Center Foundation. The project will receive SEK 728.
Facts: Interreg
European Territorial Cooperation, also known as Interreg, is about developing cooperation across national borders. The aim is to encourage cities and regions from different Member States to work together and learn from each other through joint programmes, projects and networks.
There are many Interreg programs. Interreg Aurora covers the northern parts of Europe and Sápmi. In total, over 20 projects received funding from Interreg Aurora this time.
Links
- Full list: The new Aurora projects co-financed by Region Norrbotten
- Interreg Aurora - EU funds (external link)
- Cohesion policy within the EU - Develop Norrbotten
Contact
Helena Ölund (S), Chair of the Regional Development Committee
070-328 61 48
Helena.olund@norrbotten.se
Monica Lejon, Head of Unit Business and Society
070-387 37 52
monica.lejon@norrbotten.se