BIRGEJUPMI: Bridging knowledge systems for inclusive, resilient and prosperous Arctic coastal futures.

The BIRGEJUPMI project aims to strengthen community engagement and relational environmental decision-making in Arctic coastal regions by bringing together diverse knowledge systems (Indigenous, Western, and local), grounded in a holistic, ethical, and equitable community-based approach to research with strong Indigenous leadership. Empowering communities to use and develop their own knowledge is vital for fostering resilience, cultural preservation, socio-ecological well-being, and mobilizes coastal communities to address local challenges effectively while promoting social cohesion. To this end, BIRGEJUPMI focuses on three Arctic areas: western Sápmi, northern Sápmi, and Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), following three objectives: 1) document, revitalize, and integrate Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge-informed practices connected to marine and coastal resources management and conservation in fjord socio-ecosystems, and inform decision-making processes for coastal management and governance models rooted in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK); 2) assess the environmental, socio-economic, cultural, and demographic changes experienced by Arctic coastal communities in relation to climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, focusing on young people's visions for a sustainable future and their involvement in regional, national and EU-level environmental decision-making; 3) investigate the transformative potential of sea- and landscapes as living archives to inform TEK-rooted resource governance and empower local institutions and knowledge centers to become open spaces for dynamic community-led research. The role of Indigenous art, handicraft, and art-based methods is highlighted as they contribute to healing, reconciliation, and environmental coping mechanisms in Arctic coastal regions. BIRGEJUPMI is grounded in Indigenous methodologies and adopts a Co-Production of Knowledge (CPK) and Two-Eyed Seeing approach to advance decolonial research and responsible policy. The project BIRGEJUPMI is led by the University of Oulu, and will be carried out in partnership with Sámi allaskuvla, the Saami Council, the Indigenous Voices Research Group (IVO) at UiT - the Arctic University of Norway, Alta Museum, Dáiddadállu, the University of Copenhagen, Psykolog Paarnaq, Árvu AS, the University of Tartu, and National Dong HWA University. BIRGEJUPMI works across three Arctic areas: western Sápmi, northern Sápmi, and Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland).