Green energy technologies for tourism growth.

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Northern Periphery and Arctic

Date of latest update: 2026-01-12

Description

Description (EN):

This project GLOW 2.0 will apply a Green Business Model to pilot and learn how to develop sustainability methodologies in SMEs with a focus on companies and social enterprises serving the Dark Nights Tourism Economy. It thus will enhance sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation, which will involve them in productive investments. The project will support enterprises and public organisations in developing tourism flow during the dark winter months by enabling the application of immersive technologies at an enterprise level and developing common use applications presenting the night sky (developed during the project). These will be integrated into existing tourism strategies and offers on natural and cultural heritage to develop a marketing platform, which will enable the enterprises to reach beyond their existing markets. These will enable the enterprises to develop their own green business models. Green business can grow economically and reduce use of resources. The project will integrate techniques for green business with immersive technologies for maximum impact. A bridging study has involved enterprises, tourism and local authorities in workshops to determine their priorities and what they can absorb, which has determined the feasibility of the project. There are three main aspects: enhancing the capacity of SMEs, and in delivery, marketing and promotion of a tourism offer including dark skies; technology development of a virtual planetarium, 360 degree photography and star gazing applications, to be shared and adapted across the region; and validation and promotion of Dark Skies tourism as a regional offer across the NPA area, which also serves as means of safeguarding natural assets. The three aspects are mutually supporting. Enterprises gain technical and business capacity. Regions enhance their overall tourism offer and this is disseminated across the NPA.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The first period was mostly about partners getting to know each other, and discussing plans and timelines to focus and start activities. The visit in Joensuu and the meeting of project partners was fruitful and made the next steps clearer. The regular partner meetings in Teams have been very important for following and engaging on project activities development. To make GLOW2.0 -project known in our areas and attract target groups to the project has meant a lot of phone calls, emails, several meetings, and arranging of events. Communication e.g. via website and social media was also done to create awareness about the project and its objectives. The survey made in the spring time gave a good reason to contact regional tourist organizations and tell them more about GLOW2.0 as well as why we are so interested in dark sky and the technology connected to it. It has been a pleasure to notice that there are several SMEs and other target groups who are interested in the dark sky project themes and product development. Almost 100 persons answered to our survey and showed interest in the project activities. During this period partners have visited and participated in workshops/ events/ discussions etc. where we collected new ideas for dark sky development, not only for winter time, but starting already in September and October. There is interest for dark sky products and services and also themes relating to protecting the dark sky. The project partners have for example presented the project themes and objectives in events and workshops. Some have joined events to gain more understanding and benchmark best practices to bring to the project. All deliverables promised for period 1 were also realised. The activities carried out during the first period show that there is a great potential for development and productizing dark skies, but the project needs more time to find and meet more potential SME's and other stakeholders also during period 2 while finalisation of the capacity building programme continues. GLOW2.0 has also collaborated with other projects. In Finland GLOW2.0 collaborated with Kaavi municipality project HAMA that focus on Dark Sky concept in sustainable tourism development. HAMA invited GLOW2.0 to give a presentation on best practice examples in dark sky tourism. In Lapland, GLOW2.0 collaborated with WYNE-project by joining in the workshop and discussions. The project has also collaborated with a project working on a similar dark sky related project (Erasmus funded). GLOW2.0 has been in close contact with the project on several issues regarding challenges and opportunities, and received materials (ecotourism guide) from the project via Icelandic partner. The overall project management went smoothly. The project Lead Partner (LP) joined the NPA national event in Kajaani (10.-11.10.2023), and NPA conference and LP seminar in Skellefteå, Sweden (8.-9.11.2023), and shared necessary information with partners afterwards. A total of 4 online partner meetings (15.6, 9.8, 25.10, 22.11) have been held during this reporting period except for July (vacation period). 1 physical meeting has also been held during this reporting period (12.-13.9.2023) in Belmullet - Mayo region, country Ireland. Regarding WP activities, Karelia and SSNV were leads for WP1 and have therefore been in-charge of activity A1.2 (develop capacity building materials) due in P2. All partners contributed to content development during discussion meetings. Karelia designed the modules based on the needs that came up during P1 (D1.1.1), partners and associated partners/ stakeholders’ comments. The deliverable is finalised as namely D.1.2.1. GLOW2.0 Capacity Building Program Modules. Ireland partners held workshop "Building a Sustainable Tourism Business" (activity A1.3), and participated Newport & Connemara Astronomy Club's discussions. WP2 was led by UiT with co-leads UnaG/Udaras and PLAKY. UiT was in-charge of design and development of the VP; virtual planetarium (activity A2.2). All partners joined development discussions during various phases of implementation. Udaras was in-charge of liasing with co-leads and LP, and organising the Ireland Learning Journey event (activity A2.4) that included immersive demo-testing session (activity A2.2) for partners and stakeholders brought along (Sept 2023). All partners voiced wishes, commented on the programme. Partners also worked in own regions to recruit stakeholders to join the learning journey, worked on own and own stakeholders’ travel plans, and the joining of learning journey event (A2.4). Udaras and PLAKY also carried out other activities that feed to this WP. Udaras offered critical insights for technologies development (WP2) from British Association of Planetaria Conference & OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory learnings. PLAKY organized Tähtelä Dark Evening together with associated partner Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (activity A2.6). UiT finalised deliverable D2.2.1 Demo-version of the immersive technology. Udaras was in charge of WP3, activity A3.2 due this period. Udaras was responsible for survey drafting and data analysis. WestBIC and Karelia UAS helped through some stages. All partners took part in data collection and gathering from their various regions, and providing these for analysis to Udaras and WestBIC. Udaras and Karelia UAS thereafter drafted the deliverable. Partners gave comments to the document after which the deliverable was finalised. The deliverable is namely D3.2.1 Review paper indicating the current status of strategies. Udaras also hosted a Regional Workshop for SMEs in developing a sustainable Dark Sky Tourism Business (activity A3.3). During the physical partner meeting, all partners joined discussions on ways to feasibly realise the rest of the project activities, for example project WP activities (A2.5, A2.6, A3.3) hand-in-hand with capacity building (A1.3), and approach deliverables (D.2.4.2, D.2.4.3, D3.4.1). GLOW2.0 project has also engaged target groups with communication actions via news outlet, project website, during joint and regional meetings and events, and via SOME pages of the project. All partners have also worked on P1 partner reporting actions. Even though the Learning Journeys (A2.4) activity is promised until end of P3, based on the needs of stakeholders (D1.1.1, P1) and tourism seasons variations in participating countries, partners considered it very important to request the NPA change of delivery period to P5 so as to allow partners get best learning outcomes from learning journeys that enhance also A2.3, D.2.4.2. The aim is to combine these with physical partner meetings for max. impact. Partner cooperation and project activities intensified during this period 3. Karelia UAS (as LP) continued overlooking the overall project coordination for GLOW2.0. All partners worked with P2 partner reports and LP worked on joint project reporting and transfer of funds to partners. Monthly online partner meetings (4 in total: 13.12, 10.1, 10.4, 8.5) and 1 physical meeting (6.2.2024, Narvik, Norway) combined with Learning Journey (LJ) were held by the consortium. Partners also jointly worked on horizontal principles document for GLOW2.0 project. WP1 activities and related communication actions in P3 focused mainly on the implementation of capacity building programme (CBP) based on the needs of target groups in own regions (A1.3), using the plans developed during P1 (D1.2.1). These were realised in all participating regions, but methods of implementation were different, considering local operating environments and interest themes for target groups/regions. Among other, regional workshops, thematic events, film session, regional webinars and events were organised. We also implemented joint activities (Learning Journey, Virtual Planetarium testing, joint webinar). Karelia UAS (WP lead) additionally tested CBP themes with tourism students as part of ideation sessions (A1.4), and SSNV (other WP co-lead) discussed with Iceland associated partner the possibilities of bringing some GLOW2.0 issues among the students of Rural tourism at Hólar university. The actions advance the development of activity A1.4, and WP output O1.1. WP2 during this period focused on activities A2.3, A2.4, A2.5 and A2.6. For A2.3, all partners joined online discussions and demonstration of Virtual Planetarium (VP) progress, also testing onsite in Norway the VP during our meeting combined with Learning Journey (A2.4) in Narvik, where we also got the opportunity to visit UiT’s immersive lab to map possibilities for further development. UiT continued with VP/VR while Udaras carried out extensive research. As WP leads, Udaras held meetings with UiT to discuss the storytelling element of the VR experience. Udaras conducted research on storytellers and held meetings with sector company to gain insights into creating a more interactive experience, and Ireland team visiting immersive Viking Museum in Norway to benchmark possibilities. Experiencing it from a tourist's perspective was highly beneficial as it gave the opportunity to evaluate and apply the insights to our project's development from digital tourism perspective. After further discussions btw WP leads, and feedback from partners, it was decided best to incorporate a combination of story, music, and voice-over to enhance the background of our VR experience. Karelia also held discussions with UnaG/ Udaras about immersive light pollution camera intended for Ireland. In A2.4, UiT with assistance from LP-Karelia, worked on the LJ programme to Narvik, discussing with partners too. UiT took care of arrangements e.g. venues, site visits, seminar. Partners commented on plans, took care of own travel plans, and joined the LJ (6.-7.2.2024; Narvik, Norway) that included immersive testing, visit of UiT immersive lab, and seminar session with Norwegian stakeholders. Karelia and Udaras presented added value of darkness in service design on the seminar day. Partners additionally implemented the capacity building themes/ tested the jointly developed series of modules (D1.2.1) in own regions engaging target groups via one-on-one sessions, workshops and events A2.5 (Immersive Technology Solutions), A2.6 (service design methodologies), and jointly implemented webinar event covering various themes. Regarding WP3, some partners (Karelia, SSNV, Udaras) engaged enterprises in regions on ways dark skies tourism can be stimulated (A3.3). Ireland partners worked on a collaboration btw Mayo County Council and GLOW2.0 to be on the development committee of Ireland's first light pollution policy to be delivered under the Mayo Climate Action Plan. This policy is to be completed by January 2025. Among other, deliverable A3.2.1 was shared during Dublin workshop on light pollution. Udaras also worked on Climate Control Action Plan for Light Pollution with Mayo County Council, collaborating also with a local nonprofit club on a light pollution assessment in conjunction with their refurbishment of all public lighting. An animation video and series of podcasts – Glimpses of Darkness were also produced by GLOW2.0 (A3.4). The fully functional NPA miniwebsite helped intensify communication and dissemination during this P3 which showed also in the level of target groups participation in events. Apart from miniweb, partners’ websites and SOME sites, GLOW was also featured in a journal (Finland), in Dark Sky Ireland Newsletter (Ireland). The capacity building events and joint webinar were rather successful with comments of gratitude and interests/ request by target groups for similar events (ref: reports, survey feedback). All partners have, during this reporting period 4, been actively engaged in own regions with series of activities and events aimed at supporting the development and adaptation of innovative technologies and service design methodologies for the Dark Sky Tourism economy (A1.4, A2.3, A2.5, A2.6, A3.3). Partners have also, in joint collaboration realised the learning journey and joint hybrid seminar for stakeholders in Iceland during Oct 2024 giving stakeholders from our regions possibility to share knowledge, learn from one another and network for tourism and regional development. In addition, partners took part in each others regional events e.g. joining remotely, to share experiences and best practices, communicate GLOW outputs and results, engage with other regions' stakeholders, and learn from one another. For example, PLAKY partner (Lapland) joined Karelia's regional workshop in Koli in August 2024 (North Karelia), while Lapland's associated partner SGO was a speaker at the event. Karelia (Finland) and Udaras (Iceland) partners joined the Norwegian regional workshop in September to present Dark Sky case study examples, good practices and business model examples. Udaras and WestBIC worked together to realise their regional workshop in Ireland. Karelia joined PLAKY partner's organised workshop in August 2024. All partners and their stakeholders joined the hybrid seminar with Icelandic industry in October 2024 that was combined with learning journey to Blönduós, Iceland. Ireland partner's associated partner Mayo Dark Sky Park was secured as a speaker and presented during the hybrid seminar in Iceland in Oct 2024. These efforts included collaborative discussions, technology testing, stakeholder engagements, and the promotion of immersive technologies and service design approaches. Key highlights of contributions during this P4 were: -Collaborative Engagements: discussions, demonstrations, and testing sessions, including those involving the Virtual Planetarium and storytelling frameworks, as well as on-site testing and virtual interactions with stakeholders and associated partners. -Learning Journeys: Iceland Learning Journey through technology testing, stakeholder coordination, logistical planning, and active participation in workshops and discussions. Supporting delivery of learning materials and facilitating stakeholder activities to refine the programme effectively. -Stakeholder Integration: Stakeholder presentations and fostered collaboration with partners and associated partners, resulting in valuable insights and follow-up discussions on framework delivery and module development. -Technology Roll-Out and Feedback: Promoting the use of immersive technologies (VR, 360° videos) through workshops and events, gathering feedback to tailor these solutions for SMEs within the Dark Sky Tourism economy. This included hosting hands-on demonstrations, such as the Service Design Workshops, immersive technologies testing (Finland, Norway), Mobile Planetarium (Finland, Ireland), and 360° videos (Finland). In addition, all partners from participating countries and stakeholders joined the learning journey Iceland, where different interactive, sensory and immersive experiences used in tourism offers were showcased and experienced to allow reflection on own regions and possibilities: Perlan museum, Flyover, 1238 Virtual Reality Museum. -Service Design Methodologies: Adopting and adapting service design approaches to help SMEs develop innovative services and marketing strategies. Organising capacity-building workshops and regional events to equip SMEs with tools and knowledge for integrating immersive technologies into their business offerings and mentoring sessions. -Marketing Development: Promoting and communicating the results of SME engagements, showcasing opportunities for enhancing their competitiveness through innovative solutions.

Project outputs: Online capacity building training programme(EN)
GLOW2.0 transnational project partnership(EN)
Virtual planetarium(EN)
Enterprises supported with Immersive Technology adoption(EN)
GLOW2.0 Dark Skies Concept(EN)
Website: https://www.interreg-npa.eu/projects/glow20/home/

Thematic information

Green technologies Tourism SME and entrepreneurship

Priority: (VI-B_NPaA_1) Strengthening the innovation capacity for resilient and attractive NPA communities

Priority specific objective: RSO1.3. Enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs, including by productive investments

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 024 Advanced support services for SMEs and groups of SMEs (including management, marketing and design services)

Partners (6)

Lead Partner: Karelia-ammattikorkeakoulu

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FI24543771

Address: Tikkarinne , 80200 Joensuu, Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.karelia.fi

Total budget: EUR 615 180.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 399 867.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 215 313.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

UiT Norges arktiske universitet

Name: UiT Norges arktiske universitet

Department: Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, Narvik Campus

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999874643

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 940722528

Address: Hansine Hansens, 9019 Tromsø, Norway

Department address: Lodve Langes, 8514 Narvik, Norway

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://en.uit.no/startsida

Total budget: EUR 231 683.64

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 115 841.82

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 115 841.82

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Innovation and Management Centre WestBIC

Name: Innovation and Management Centre WestBIC

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 924279051

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4672192W

Address: 11 Galway Technology Centre , H91 E2W5 Galway, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.westbic.ie

Total budget: EUR 174 550.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 113 457.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 61 092.50

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Name: Údarás na Gaeltachta

Department: Research and Sectoral Development

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 905308179

Partner’s ID if not PIC: O5399180O

Address: Áisleann Béal an Mhuirthead, Béal an Mhuirthead , F26 W5H0 Béal an Átha, Ireland

Department address: -, - -, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.udaras.ie

Total budget: EUR 427 040.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 277 576.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 149 464.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Contractors:

Name: Zenotec
VAT registration or tax identification number: 3471462BH

Samtök Sveitarfélaga á Norðurlandi Vestra

Name: Samtök Sveitarfélaga á Norðurlandi Vestra

Department: Business development, regional support

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 888801689

Partner’s ID if not PIC: N.a.

Address: Höfdabraut , 530 Hvammstangi, Iceland

Department address: -, - -, Iceland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.ssnv.is

Total budget: EUR 200 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 130 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 70 000.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Pohjois-Lapin alueyhteistyön kuntayhtymä

Name: Pohjois-Lapin alueyhteistyön kuntayhtymä

Department: -

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1510651-0

Address: Jäämerentie , 99600 Sodankylä , Finland

Department address: Jäämerentie , 99600 Sodankylä, Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.pohjois-lappi.fi

Total budget: EUR 149 875.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 97 418.75

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 52 456.25

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Contractors:

Name: Arctic Stargazing Tours
VAT registration or tax identification number: FI33182541

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Green energy technologies for tourism growth.

Partners and Projects info

Innovation and Management Centre WestBIC

Green energy technologies for tourism growth.

Partners and Projects info

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Green energy technologies for tourism growth.

Partners and Projects info

Federation of Regional Authorities NW Iceland

Green energy technologies for tourism growth.

Partners and Projects info

Federation of Northern Lapland munincipalities (Sodankylä, Inari, Utsjoki)

Green energy technologies for tourism growth.

Partners and Projects info

Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Green energy technologies for tourism growth.

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Green energy technologies for tourism growth.

Project acronym: GLOW2.0

Project ID: NPA0100021

Project start date: 2022-12-01

Project end date: 2025-11-30

Project status: closed

Relevant linked projects:

Dark Sky ecotourism
https://darkskytourism.eu/about-dark-sky-ecotourism/
(EN) | Utilizing results for star gazing developed from the Dark Sky ecotourism project. (EN), Digi2Market (NPA project) (EN) | This project developed techniques of story telling, marketing as an essential aspect of the application of immersive technologies. There were some beneficiary enterprises in the tourism sector, which began the journey into digital applications and marketing. The lessons learned and techniques developed will be greatly enhanced in this project with a specific tourism focus. The lessons learned include insights into the needs of micro enterprises for brand development and promotion. (EN), Ruritage (HORIZON project) (EN) | The means of developing and implementing local economic development strategies in rural areas based on natural and cultural heritage will be further applied in this project. This will be done in coordination with regional agencies and enterprises. It is envisaged that techniques and and tools developed in the project will be applied. These include apps for determining and optimising landscape and cultural assets, interaction techniques to promote group working in strategy development. (EN), CAST (COSME project) (EN) | This project developed training, mentoring and networking techniques targeted at innovative tourism enterprises. This including coaching in gaining external finance. These techniques will be applied and further developed in the project. (EN), SHAPE (NPA project) (EN) | Building on NPA SHAPE project’s learning journey in the project as part of capacity building and transnational learning. (EN)

Relevant mentions and prizes:

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 798 328.64

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 888 319.25

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 65.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 888 319.25. Co-financing rate, 65.00%.
ERDF equivalent: Amount, EUR 130 000.00. Co-financing rate, 65.00%. Sources, IS.
ERDF equivalent: Amount, EUR 115 841.82. Co-financing rate, 50.00%. Sources, NO.
Others: Amount, EUR 130 000.00.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Specification for the capacity training programme
Series of modules (immersive tech, biodiversity, light pollution, tourism logistics etc.)
Stakeholder workshops, seminars, webinars
Modules to be delivered online.
Concepts of the virtual planetarium
Technical requirement specification
Demo-version of the immersive technology
An immersive and interactive VR virtual planetarium application
Learning Journey Learnings
Delivery Framework for Immersive Technology adoption in SMEs
Delivery Framework for Service Design adoption in SME marketing and Innovation activities
Regional Workshops and Events
Marketing Development
Regional Workshops and Events
Template of Good Practices for Dark Skies tourism
A review paper indicating the current status of strategies
Minutes of workshops with list of agreed actions.
Promotional video

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

SeaBasinStrategyArcticOcean The project is part of a Europe (and world) wide strategy for sustainability. The EC's , ‘Agenda for a sustainable and competitive European tourism’ has led to several initiatives diversifying the EU tourism offer and producing sustainable transnational tourism products. This is reflected in national strategies.
Other Finland's tourism strategy for 2019-28 has four priorities, of which two are: supporting sustainable development & responding to
the digital transformation.
Other Iceland's tourism strategy has four main objectives, which include: lengthening the tourism season, increased environment
awareness and research and development.
Other Tourism Ireland's three year strategy includes sustainable destination diversification, year round tourism and enhanced digital
marketing.
Other Norways' tourism strategy (2021) focuses on sustainable tourism. A key pillar of the plan is an industry commitment to halve CO2 emissions by 2030 and reduce annual transport emissions by 10%.
The strategy document suggests that up to 43,000 new tourism jobs could be created in Norway by 2030.
Another recommendation in the strategy is to develop a carbon calculator. Named Klimasmart (Climate smart). This will investigated to contribute to the project.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 004 - Enterprises with non-financial support, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO116) Jointly developed solutions: 1.0
(RCO04) Enterprises with non-financial support: 100.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 004 - SMEs introducing marketing or organisational innovation, Measurement unit:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Northern Periphery and Arctic

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2026-01-12

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

65 / 65 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

316 / 316 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Green energy technologies for tourism growth.

Description

Thematic information

Partners (6)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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