Interreg Aurora: Connecting the Arctic to the space economy
But what is the best way to make this information accessible to local companies? How can a young student find out how to be part of this endeavour and contribute to it? And, exactly, how much does space contribute to everyday life in Europe?
These are exactly the questions that twelve ambitious universities and research centres asked themselves. As the challenge they faced could not be pinpointed to a single territory, it became clear that an effective response to it could be attempted only via a close collaboration with neighbouring regions and countries, specifically in their shared territory that is the Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian northern border region.
Information and data produced in space is used every day by local companies in Umeå, Tromsø and Oulu, for example. However, not many entrepreneurs are really aware of how it affects their business and how they can make the most of it to make their companies more competitive. Using space information and data in a more conscientious and effective manner or even discovering new available tools has the potential of unleashing the true potential of Europe’s companies and start-ups. Furthermore, the region hosts dozens of companies that work in the space supply chain who, due to the region’s remoteness, might have been unaware of each other’s existence even though they were eager to connect.
Building a space community in the Arctic
AuroraSpace is literally placing them on the map and identifying and asking them to share their collaboration and support needs. This will lead to services and trainings tailored for these companies in the near future. In addition to this, the clustering activities that the project is carrying out with the funding received from Interreg Aurora, will strengthen the visibility, connection and negotiating power that local SMEs have in the field. This will also make them more visible to the younger generations of stargazers and wannabe entrepreneurs, who will find a more direct path to their career of choice in the region.
Promoting space industry careers through internships and Space Ambassadors
The online tool, which is currently under development, will automatically map training and university courses in the space field in the region, which will improve school and career guidance for high and technical school students. The opportunities for internships and junior postings in local companies working in the space economy will become more visible and with a higher potential of attracting the younger generations to the industry as well as potentially mobilising skilled workers from outside the region.
Space Ambassadors are also a greatly appreciated addition delivered by the project, inspiring the younger generations that a career in space is possible and within their reach. Current university students, attending space-related courses in the partnering universities, offer regular visits to high schools in their hometowns to share with the local community their personal experience, the opportunities it has offered them and the potentials of selecting a similar path.
What’s next for AuroraSpace
As AuroraSpace is only halfway through its implementation phase, many more activities, tools and results are yet to come. Stay tuned for trainings and workshops on sustainability and space, as well as specific clustering and networking events for local companies in the space economy, to enhance their collaboration. We will look in on them again in the future, looking forward to hearing what an Interreg 'powered by space' will look like.