Developing Europe’s strategy for the Arctic in dialogue with civil society

The EU Youth Test at the EESC was applied to this opinion. Finnish Youth Council Allianssi was chosen by a group of interested youth organisations to represent all of them during the opinion-making process.

Key points

The EESC:

• Stresses that the new EU institutional cycle offers an obvious opportunity to take stock of its Arctic policy. An updated policy would enable the EU to play a greater role in fostering a resilient and prosperous Arctic while advancing Europe’s strategic green transition, security interests, and respect for human rights.
• Highlights the need to increase civil society participation in Arctic decision-making, as it enhances both the quality and legitimacy of far-reaching decisions impacting the region.
• Suggests conducting a systematic stocktaking exercise as part of an updated EU strategy to evaluate the perception and use of EU funds and instruments by Arctic stakeholders. This exercise should
  • Build on input from diverse civil society representatives.
  • Aim to simplify procedures for beneficiaries or provide assistance to local communities in managing requirements.
  • Clarify whether sufficient funding and appropriate programmes are in place to support the EU's strategic objectives in the Arctic.
• Calls for Arctic decision-makers at all levels to rigorously apply legal obligations and adopt best practices to include, consult, and empower all sections of local civil society, including indigenous peoples.
• Emphasizes that investments and projects should benefit local communities and it should be ensured that all parts of these communities, including indigenous peoples, youth, and women, have sufficient resources to take part in the decision-making.
• Underlines the urgent need to streamline permitting processes for projects related to renewable energy and raw materials extraction essential for the green transition. These processes should be made more efficient without compromising environmental or socio-economic scrutiny.
• Recommends stepping up EU's cooperation with Greenland to diversify access to critical minerals and to foster a partnership based on democracy, rule of law and human rights. The Committee urges prioritising this cooperation in the upcoming multiannual financial framework (MFF) negotiations.