Karelia University of Applied Sciences received recognition for its international project work at the 25th anniversary event of the Interreg NPA programme, held in Bodø, Norway, on October 1, 2025. Several Karelia UAS research and development projects were awarded for their impactful cross-border collaboration in Northern Europe.
The European Union’s Interreg NPA (Northern Periphery and Arctic) programme promotes cooperation in border regions and sparsely populated areas, including Finland, Norway, and Iceland. The programme funds projects that aim to develop solutions to shared regional challenges and enhance vitality in these areas.
Karelia UAS has implemented numerous projects under the Interreg NPA programme, focusing on improving competitiveness in remote regions. Among the awarded projects was W-Power, which supported women entrepreneurs in northern and Arctic areas, encouraging them to develop their businesses. The GLOW 2.0 project helped companies enhance tourism appeal during the darkest time of the year. The RemoTED project was also recognized for strengthening social and healthcare services in sparsely populated areas by promoting the adoption of new digital solutions.
Anne Ilvonen, Director of Research and Development at Karelia UAS, expressed her delight at the recognition:
“These awards highlight the role of cooperation between sparsely populated regions as a driver of innovation and encourage us to continue joint development efforts within the NPA community. They also serve as a significant acknowledgment of Karelia UAS long-standing commitment to international project work,” Ilvonen summarized.
Timo Rui, Outi Santaniemi, Tarja Kupiainen, and Daisy Silvennoinen from Karelia UAS presented the results of the GLOW 2.0 project.
Karelia UAS RemoTED project team — Sanna Ahponen-Käyhkö, Suvi Leppänen, and Jaana Kurki — participated in the Interreg NPA programme’s 25th Anniversary Celebration in Bodø, Norway.