BIRGEJUPMI: Bridging knowledge systems for inclusive, resilient and prosperous Arctic coastal futures.
BIRGEJUPMI
Funders
Horizon Europe Programme
Project information
Project duration
-
Funded by
Horizon Europe - Research & Innovation Action (RIA)
Funding amount
2 999 815 EUR
Project coordinator
University of Oulu
Unit and faculty
Contact information
Project leader
Researchers
Project description
«Birgejupmi» is the Northern Sámi word for “ways to manage/get by» – the idea of self-sufficiency. It embodies the principle of taking only what is necessary from nature, ensuring the ability to harvest again in the future. Building on the concept of Birgejupmi, this project (see https://birgejupmi.eu) works across different knowledge systems—including Indigenous knowledge, Western science, and local knowledge—to strengthen community engagement and relational environmental decision-making in Arctic coastal regions that is based on the interconnected relationships between coastal people and the sea.
The BIRGEJUPMI project follows a holistic, ethical, and equitable community-based approach to research with strong Indigenous leadership. It is grounded in Indigenous methodologies, and adopts a co-production of knowledge and Etuaptmumk-Two-Eyed Seeing approach to advance decolonial research and responsible policy. Indigenous art, Duodji (Sámi handicraft), and art-based methods play a central role in the project, supporting healing, reconciliation, and environmental coping mechanisms in Arctic coastal regions.
BIRGEJUPMI is led by the University of Oulu, and carried out in partnership with Sámi allaskuvla, the Saami Council, the Indigenous Voices Research Group (IVO) at the Arctic University of Norway (UiT), Alta Museum, Dáiddadállu, the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS)/GFZ, the University of Copenhagen, Psykolog Paarnaq, the University of Tartu, Árvu AS, and the National Dong HWA University.
More information at https://birgejupmi.eu/
Project actions
Work Packages
- WP1–Ethical, collaborative, and inclusive research approaches and methodologies
- WP2–Human-species-ecosystem interdependencies in changing Arctic coastal regions
- WP3–Coastscapes-relationalties: Uncovering silenced knowledge systems and crafting a relational One Health approach for community resilience, reconciliation, and well-being
- WP4–Local and global futures: young people’s visions of sustainable livelihoods and inclusive environmental decision-making
- WP5–TEK-informed coastal resources management and conservation strategies embedded in a multi-actor approach
- WP6–New actors and spaces for improved collaboration, knowledge building, and inclusive decision-making
- WP7–Empowering Indigenous higher education institutions and remote Arctic coastal communities by developing gender-sensitive and innovative education formats
- WP8–Mobilizing youth leadership and exchange for shaping socio-economic transitions in Arctic coastal regions linked to the EU Green Deal
- WP9–Implement novel capacity building and education formats for activating, sharing, and bridging diverse knowledge systems
- WP10–Ethical approaches, circular models and evaluation methods for working across different knowledge systems
- WP11–Communication, dissemination, exploitation, and outreach 1
- WP12–Communication, dissemination, exploitation, and outreach 2
- WP13–Project Coordination and Management 1
- WP14–Project Coordination and Management 2
The University of Oulu leads WP13 and WP14, as well as Task 1.3, and co-leads Tasks 8.2, 2.1, and 5.1. It also contributes to WP4, WP11, and WP12.