Young voices in focus: Kirkeneskonferansen UNG // Fremtidsprat Finnmark
ProTromsø with partners facilitated a conversation for the future, all by youth and young professionals in the north
Kristian
- 23. may 2025
ProTromsø and our partners invited young people in Kirkenes to take part in Kirkeneskonferansen UNG // Fremtidsprat Finnmark. The event brought together a vibrant mix of local entrepreneurs, innovators, and initiators who are shaping business development and youth engagement across the Finnmark region.
The program opened with an inspiring presentation from Karen Martinsen, Energi i Nord. Following Karen’s presentation, we quickly moved on to the panel discussion.
The panel explored Kirkenes and Finnmark’s role in Europe, balancing the realities of everyday life in the north with the broader geopolitical shifts that shape the region. How shall we behave towards our neighbor engaging in war? Questions of security, cooperation, and resilience were discussed alongside the practical needs of young people who want to live, work, and thrive in Finnmark.
The evening concluded with mingling and informal exchanges, giving participants the chance to connect across sectors and generations. The strong turnout and engaged audience confirmed the value of creating spaces where young people can share their perspectives on the future of the north. This being vital especially in light of Tromsø being the European Youth Capital of 2026. The first ever city in the Arctic.
Kirkeneskonferansen UNG was made possible through the collaboration of a wide range of organizations, including Kirkeneskonferansen, Team Nordic Arctic, Energi i Nord, Arctic Energy Partners, Kirkenes Næringsforening, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Orinor AS, Sør-Varanger Utvikling, Troms Fylkeskommune, the Barents Secretariat.
The Team Nordic Arctic is a project funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Arktis 2030. The goal of the project, led by ProTromsø, is to strengthen the North Nordic region through business collaborations. The project aims to enhance the cooperation between Norway, Sweden and Finland in the Arctic by applying Norwegian know-how on Arctic society, business, and knowledge.
The overall goal of the project is enhanced Nordic cooperation in the High North in difficult times. We aim to strengthen the Arctic communities in the Nordic countries through sustainable business development, recruitment of youth talents and the inclusion of indigenous people and minorities. One of the main work packages includes Arctic Business Matchmaking in each of the three partnering countries, held in Oulu, Finland, Umeå, Sweden and Tromsø, Norway.
If you wish to hear more about participating in the project or in the B2B matchmakings, please contact project manager Julie-Helene D. Sørensen at julie@protromso.com
