Against the backdrop of the 2024 Arctic Circle Assembly held in Reykjavík, Iceland this week, the UArctic Regional Centre Continental Europe was created. This was finalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en Yvelines (UVSQ) and UArctic, during the first face-to-face meeting of current and planned UArctic Regional Centres. MoUs serve to define the responsibilities and functions of the Centres. The new Regional Centre is to be housed at UVSQ via the Institut de recherches arctiques Jean Malaurie/Institute of Arctic Research Jean Malaurie (IRAM).
The establishment of this new Regional Centre will help to strengthen educational and research collaboration between the Arctic and Continental Europe, as well as to facilitate regional dialogue and engagement among local UArctic members. It's main objectives include increasing the visibility of Arctic studies and research at the European level and connecting Arctic research institutes and consortia in the Arctic and Continental Europe. Other key aims are to participate in fundraising campaigns, provide a forum for debate on the Arctic in Continental Europe, and participate and coordinate, when relevant, efforts to submit proposals for funding under ERASMUS+ and the Horizon programme.
UArctic Regional Centres are formed by one or more member institutions in order to support UArctic, facilitate member engagement, and provide regional dialogue and engagement. These role include liaison activities with national or regional administrations and other local stakeholders. Regional Centres can also perform specific administrative functions (for example, act as a north2north national agency). See full guidelines, or contact secretariat@uarctic.org for more information.