Researchers in the West Nordic Area Strengthen Regional Ties

There is a great interest for collaboration between researchers in Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland. 

Last week around 70 researchers and other representatives from universities, research institutes and research councils in the West Nordic region gathered in the Nordic House in Tórshavn for a cooperation worskshop.

The title of the workshop was GLISFO 2024 – Strengthening Regional Ties. The aim of the workshop was to strengthen research cooperation between Greenland, Iceland and Faroe Islands. The three countries have a huge ocean area in common and work with many similar and complementary subjects.

The programme included presentations, discussions, theme workshops, and networking events. 

Funding for regional research

Researchers from the three countries made contacts with other researchers working with similar subjects and with researchers from other disciplines. 

Several subjects of common interest were discussed. There were discussions on how researchers can utilize each others´ competences and resources and how closer cooperation can strengthen the participation of the region in nordic and international collaboration. There was also a great interest for a funding scheme that can support the building of joint research projects in the West Nordic.  

The cooperation continues

The participants in the GLISFO workshop agreed that cooperation on research in the West Nordic region should continue. A biannual conference is being planned and joint sessions connected to the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík every year in October are considered.

The GLISFO work was arranged by Research Council Faroe Islands in cooperation with Greenland Research Council, Rannis  – The Icelandic Centre for Research, and the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation network. The workshop was the first joint event since co-operation agreements were signed between the three research councils in 2022 og 2023. 

Pictures form the GLISFO workshop are available here.