Brussels 20.-22. June 2022

The aim of EU-Sámi Week is to strengthen the relationship between Sápmi and the EU. EU-Sámi Week is the first step in raising awareness among EU decision-makers about the need to include the Sámi people in EU policymaking. Because the EU is involved in many sectors that have an impact on the Sámi way of life, such as climate and environment, agriculture, education, culture, and research, it is natural that relations are strengthened. The week is expected to become a recognized platform for political communication between the EU and the Sámi people in the future. 

The event will be a networking platform for experts in regional and local development through the lens of the Sámi people. Exchange of good practices in economic development and social inclusion, cross-border cooperation, regional innovation, and community-led local development will be in focus.

The main event will take place in The European Committee of the Regions, 2 Rue Van Maerlant, 1040 Brussels (VM building).

Background

In the Joint Communication “An integrated European Union policy for the Arctic” adopted on 27 April 2016, the EU Commission recognizes the importance of dialogue with Arctic indigenous peoples and notes that the EU will continue to engage with Arctic indigenous peoples to ensure that their views and rights are respected and promoted in the ongoing development of EU policies affecting the Arctic. This political intention is reiterated in the updated EU Arctic Policy from 2021.

Thus, the Saami Council and Suoma Sámi Nuorat have initiated an EU-Sámi Week in Brussels in week 25, 2022 as a response to the expressed intentions of the EU. The ESW is part of the EU Interreg funded project Filling the EU-Sápmi knowledge gaps. The project has four main activities, including a trainee program, courses, development of an EU-Sámi strategy plan and an EU-Sámi Week. For more information, please visit the project’s webpage.