Photo: Gunn-Britt Retter

Sámi Influence and Knowledge Exchange in EU Policy (SIKE)

Sámi Influence and Knowledge Exchange in EU Policy is a project led by the Saami Council, which explores how Sámi can participate in the EU system and how Sámi economic solutions can inspire EU economic policies. SIKE will produce two reports on these topics, raise awareness of Sámi culture in an EU context, and follow up on recommendations developed by an earlier Sámi-EU project, AWARE EU-Sápmi.

Project Topics

Project Description

Meaningful participation

Birgejupmi

Youth

Staff

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Project description

The decisions made by the EU have a wide-ranging impact on the Sámi people. Therefore, the Saami Council seeks to broaden information about Sápmi in the EU while also raising awareness about the Sámi people's needs and rights under the EU framework. Furthermore, raising Sápmi knowledge of the EU is essential for increasing Sámi capability and interest in the EU.

In April 2024, the Saami Council was awarded the project "Sámi Influence and Knowledge Exchange in EU Policy (SIKE)." The Sámi Influence and Knowledge Exchange in EU Policy (SIKE) aims to empower the Sámi people and amplify their voice in EU policy development. The project builds upon the findings of the AWARE EU-Sápmi project.

The goals of SIKE are to enhance the Saami Council's internal capacity through strengthening project management skills, more networking with Sámi youth and other Arctic stakeholders, and a deeper understanding of Sápmi-EU relations. SIKE will help the Saami Council's advocacy efforts within the European Union.

SIKE aims to investigate two topics:

how the Sámi people can achieve full and meaningful participation in the EU system.
how the Sámi way of thinking, called Birgejupmi, can be used to shape EU policies on circular economy.

The SIKE project will conduct a study for each of these topics, and a webinar for Sámi Youth on EU-Sámi relations.

The project is funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

Full and Meaningful Participation in the EU system

Because Sámi areas in Finland and Sweden are part of the EU, EU policies affect Sámi day-to-day life. It’s crucial that Sámi people stay informed about these policies, and can participate in the EU-system in policies that affect their own communities. By taking a proactive rather than reactive approach, SIKE will promote full and meaningful participation of Sámi in the EU system.

SIKE will explore how full and meaningful Sámi participation in the EU system and EU processes can be achieved. The project will participate in European Commission expert meetings, events and working group meetings. New collaboration opportunities will be identified during the project period to foster cooperation between the Saami Council and EU stakeholders. Building upon the findings of the AWARE EU-Sápmi project’s Youth Idea Lab, the project will continue to labour to secure youth voices in EU youth policy.

Birgejupmi

““As Indigenous Peoples, we possess an understanding of resource use and the importance of the “circular economy” as part of our values and culture, and we know how to adapt to serious challenges. We can and must contribute this knowledge to the conversation about climate change. Together with technological development, these assets can strengthen Sápmi.””

— THE 22ND SAAMI CONFERENCE IN VÁHTJER 2022

Birgejupmi is an important Sámi value, concept, or philosophy. The word Birgejupmi stems from the word birget, which can be translated as “managing”; ex. “I manage to meet my own needs”.

The Sámi have always been dependent on nature, as nature is the basis for the Sámi’s existence. As such, survival for the Sámi has meant relying on extraction of food and resources from nature in a sustainable manner – a method in which food or resources are acquired in the present must not negatively impact the availability of food or resources in the future. This has led to Birgejupmi, a way of thinking which places nature in the centre and resources found in nature are managed in a way that keeps them available for future generations.

SIKE will conduct three case studies. These case studies focus on nature and include ocean-based food systems, climate, and sustainable and circular practices to explore how Birgejupmi can contribute to EU policy on Circular Economy. SIKE will produce a report with recommendations on how Sámi Indigenous knowledge can contribute to combat climate change to create a healthy planet by promoting low carbon economic solutions based on Sámi philosophy and values.

Youth

According to the EU-Sámi Youth Idea Lab, Sámi youth participate at a lower rate in the EU programs and policy-making. This is true despite the fact that Sámi youth have historically been active participants in local and national Sámi youth organisations. This can be because Sámi youth perceive the ability to influence EU policy as constrained. Furthermore, there exists a geographical divide between the Sámi core areas and Brussels.

The EU-Sámi Youth Idea Lab developed a set of recommendations to improve the situation and boost Sámi youth involvement in the EU policy-making and EU programs. These recommendations include increasing the visibility of EU representatives in Sámi youth gathering spaces and forums, as well as promoting Sámi participation in the EU system. The SIKE project will follow up on these recommendations through a roadmap that will serve as a working document for the Saami Council and Sámi youth organisations.