Can the Arctic capture more value from its own food?

WEBINAR: 29 September - AMERICAS | 5 October - EMEA

31/08/2026
13:31
Iris Ørnhaug

The Arctic Food Innovation Cluster (AFIC) webinar invites stakeholders from across the Arctic to explore how stronger collaboration can support innovation, resilience and sustainable development in Arctic food systems.

– The knowledge, raw materials and ambition are already present. What's lacking is coordination that would enable a company in Nunavut and a cluster in Nordland to find each other, says researcher Andrey Mineev, who leads the Arctic Business Index project.

Building on AFIC's work in Northern Norway and Arctic Canada, and the project's expansion to Iceland and Alaska, the webinar will explore shared challenges and opportunities related to food innovation, value creation, market access, workforce development and food security.

Participants will hear key findings from the AFIC report and discuss how closer cooperation among food clusters and innovation actors can strengthen knowledge exchange, joint initiatives, Arctic branding and policy advocacy. Special attention will be given to the development of a stronger pan-Arctic food innovation ecosystem with greater collective impact.

Key discussion questions include:

  • How can food innovation drive economic transformation and reduce resource dependency in Arctic regions?
  • How important is collaboration among Arctic food clusters for innovation, branding, and policy influence?
  • How are Arctic food sectors adapting to climate change, geopolitical developments, and technological advances?
  • Can Arctic food systems meet growing global demand while maintaining regional food security?

Two free online sessions this autumn:
29 September, 13:00–14:00 ET / 19:00–20:00 CEST (Americas)
5 October, 14:30–15:30 CEST / 08:30–09:30 ET (EMEA)

Registration

Download the recent AFIC report here

The program includes a presentation of AFIC findings, an overview of the emerging Arctic collaboration initiative, reflections from the Arctic Economic Council, and an open discussion of future opportunities for cooperation across the Arctic food sector.

Speakers: Andrey Mineev, Mads Qvist Frederiksen (Arctic Economic Council), David Natcher (University of Saskatchewan) and Maria Kourkouli (Nord University).