Funded Projects 2014-2020

Trainings, webinars, workshops and the eco-innovation toolkit enabled SMEs in the NPA region to become more competitive, to establish the network and to broaden the knowledge about the latest research and innovation. The Project´s website contains all the information needed for starting an eco-innovative business. Having all reports, studies and guides available at one place saves SMEs, start-ups, communities or social enterprises time and R&D costs.

CIRCULAR OCEAN tested new possibilities for reusing discarded nets and ropes, for example in fashion, 3D printing or as a reinforcement in building materials such as concrete. Using plastic fibers in construction industry in the Arctic can reduce the need for importing other types of materials. The idea of using these fibers in adobe bricks is further explored in the Blue Circular Economy project funded by the NPA.

The project brought wide-scale attention and highlighted the prevalence and dangers of marine plastic in general and more specifically fishing gear, across policymakers, the fishing community, the business community and the general public. Through the Green Enterprise Exhibition and Innovation competition, the opportunities for reusing, reprocessing and recycling the fishing gear were promoted to businesses and policymakers to uncover the potential hidden value in these materials.