Enhanced crisis-readiness: Traditional foods as a panacea to food (in)security, resilience and entrepreneurship in Lapland (TRAIL)

The project addresses challenges in crisis preparedness by tackling issues in food transportation, logistics, market access, and supply chains in the remote Aurora region. Characterized by long distances and low population density, the area also requires job creation to strengthen regional vitality.

To respond, the project will develop shared logistics networks, digital distribution hubs, and joint marketing solutions for food businesses. As markets for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are small and fragmented, scaling remains difficult. Cross-border export platforms and regional food networks will help expand market access and growth potential.

Regulatory differences (e.g., labelling, safety, and organic certification) create additional barriers to cross-border trade. The project will improve understanding of these frameworks to support smoother cooperation. It will also encourage the development of new products based on traditional and natural ingredients, strengthening the sector and enhancing resilience.

Cultural and culinary differences between Finland and Sweden can limit product acceptance. Joint branding and marketing efforts will address this by promoting regional diversity and shared identity in Lapland.

TRAIL contributes to food security in times of crisis. Global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and geopolitical tensions highlight the vulnerability of food systems. Strengthening local and regional solutions is therefore essential to ensure supply security.

Cross-border collaboration enables shared logistics, wider market access, and joint initiatives such as regional food labels. It also supports knowledge exchange, storytelling, and cultural learning. Additional benefits include coordinated responses to climate impacts, biodiversity conservation, and the development of policy tools to promote traditional foods at Nordic, Arctic, and EU levels.

By reducing fragmentation and duplication, cooperation enhances overall impact. The project will strengthen the competitiveness of MSMEs by supporting value chains, fostering knowledge exchange, and promoting contributions to health, biodiversity, and the circular economy. It also aims to revitalize traditional food practices, engage youth, and advance food sovereignty in the Aurora region.

The overall objective of the project is to support knowledge exchange, co-innovation, and market development among small-scale traditional food producers, communities, and food entrepreneurs, with a focus on environmental stewardship and resilience to climate change and crisis management. At the end of the project, the specific objectives that TRAIL will achieve are:

1. Empower Indigenous and traditional food MSMEs through cross-border innovation and cooperation.

2. Support MSME Competitiveness by strengthening traditional food entrepreneurship and their market access.

3. Preserve and transmit Indigenous food knowledge to younger generations across the Aurora region and beyond.

4. Increase the readiness of consumers backed with relevant policies to support the value of traditional/indigenous foods for nutrition, culture, and the environment in times of crisis.