Impressions from the BRIDGE kick-off workshop in Brussels in August 2026 (Photos: Ramon Zamora)
Building Resilient International Dialogue and Governance for Arctic Engagement
Project Overview
Local communities play a central role in the EU Arctic Strategy (October 2026). It is at the local level that EU policies are implemented and where EU action should deliver tangible benefits for Arctic residents. As part of its commitment to work in partnership with Arctic communities, the EU has therefore made strengthening the Arctic Mayors’ Forum one of its flagship actions. This commitment is being put into practice through the Building Resilient International Dialogue and Governance for Arctic Engagement (BRIDGE) initiative.
Over the next four years (2026-2030), BRIDGE will enable the Forum to develop more permanent structures, strengthen its support for Members in bringing local perspectives into Arctic policy discussions, and expand its network to include more Arctic municipalities and regions.
Key activities
Capacity building and community involvement
Arctic communities and their local authorities, including Indigenous governance bodies, will work more effectively together to address shared challenges and strengthen their influence in Arctic and EU policy processes. At the same time, BRIDGE will allow us to enhance inclusion by increasing the participation of women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples in decision-making at both the Arctic and EU levels.
Activities include:
- Training sessions, briefings and online resources related to policy development and advocacy.
- Building structures for inclusive leadership and participation with a focus on women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples.
- Providing an overview of mobility funding options.
Stronger institutional and operational capacities
BRIDGE allows us to further strengthen Arctic Mayors’ Forum’s capacities to represent and connect Arctic communities and their local authorities on topics of common interest. This also includes making systems and routines at our Secretariat more robust.
Activities include:
- Putting Membership growth in focus.
- Prioritizing partner collaboration.
- Diversifying the Forum’s funding.
- Delivering a strategy for communications and visibility.
Structured and community-led agenda setting
Through BRIDGE we will establish the Forum’s first thematic Working Groups. This strategic shift in our working modalities will provide Members with a structured framework for collaboration, knowledge exchange and skill developing. Central to this work is an inclusive approach that respects cultural diversity and considers local knowledge and Indigenous Knowledge alike.
Activities include:
- Determining priority themes for the Forum’s first two Working Groups.
- Arranging meetings, knowledge exchanges and study visits.
- Facilitating fellowships for cross-community learning and strengthening local capacities.
- Testing new approaches such as municipal innovation labs, hackathons, etc.
Empowering Arctic voices to shape the region’s future
Nowhere are the geopolitical, social, economic, and environmental changes shaping the Arctic felt more directly than in local communities. These changes are increasing pressure on local authorities as they work to support sustainable and inclusive development, maintain critical infrastructure, and respond to demographic shifts. While local circumstances differ across the Arctic, many challenges are shared across borders, and municipalities often face similar pressures.
Through the EU-supported BRIDGE project, a strengthened Arctic Mayors’ Forum will help Arctic communities work together more effectively to address both current and emerging challenges. BRIDGE will support municipalities in identifying shared priorities, strengthening long-term cooperation, and ensuring that the perspectives of Arctic residents are heard at regional and international governance tables.
At the same time, the project will contribute to deeper and more structured engagement between the EU and Arctic communities. BRIDGE will help align Arctic and EU policy processes with local needs and realities for the benefit of both Arctic communities and the EU.
BRIDGE is a continuation of the EU-funded Arctic Urban-Regional Cooperation (AURC) project, under which 15 municipalities collaborated from 2024–2026 to facilitate exchange and peer learning. By embedding AURC’s thematic work and methods within the Arctic Mayors’ Forum, the Forum will create a single, recognizable hub for local leadership in Arctic governance.
Contact
For any questions about the program please contact:
Julia Morales-Aguirre
julia@arcticmayors.com
Funding acknowledgment
The contents of this webpage are the sole responsibility of the Arctic Mayors’ Forum and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.