Supply Chain Integration for Interoperability & Enhanced Resilience of SMEs in remote regions

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

Date of latest update: 2025-09-24

Description

Description (EN):

The Arctic Edge project aims to strengthen supply chain operations in the NPA Region, addressing regional challenges (refer to C 2.4). It will develop and implement a cloud-based, IoT, and MQTT technology-driven solution for rural manufacturing NPA SMEs, aiming to optimise supply chain processes. While existing technologies are available, their adoption, especially in SMEs' supply chains, remains limited. Arctic Edge's objective is to enhance efficiency, resilience, and adaptability in SMEs' supply chain operations, fostering a mental shift towards digital adoption. Project deliverables include a flexible digital architecture for improved internal operations and external supply chain interactions, personalised IoT solutions, comprehensive video content and educational materials. The project seeks to revolutionise supply chain practices within the NPA region by introducing innovative technologies and promoting their widespread application, particularly among rural manufacturing SMEs.

Expected Achievements (EN):

Overall objective of this package is to ensure quality project management and platform prototyping/development at Digital Beacons sites. Project management: - ensure that project goals are achieved in line with partner agreement related to time, scope & budget, - provide effective project management, streamlined coordination - establishment of a collaborative ecosystem that supports the successful execution of the project while considering sustainability aspects Platform prototyping and development: - design advanced digital architecture for seamless data interconnectivity aiming at supply chain resilience, taking into consideration Digital Beacons context and use cases (n=2). - deploy an innovative digital architecture & demonstrate its effectiveness in Digital Beacons sites with a view to achieve their supply chain interoperability (n=2) - integrate deployed client-broker solution with existing MES/ERP systems & industrial interfaces to ensure smooth supply chain interconnectivity. Main objective of the WP2 is to deliver robust, demand-driven support, empowering SMEs from NPA regions to seamlessly integrate innovative digital architectures into their existing operational fabric. By effectively deploying digital architecture within two SME partners, the solution's viability is validated paving the way for broader adoption and implementation across similar contexts and NPA regions. Selected use cases will be further explored and piloted (n=26). The benefits of interconnectivity in the manufacturing sector for rural manufacturing companies and potential for implementation of European data space interconnectivity, AI /ML capabilities, and cybersecurity will be demonstrated to target audience. An advisory clinic established to assist NPA SMEs in navigating the intricacies of digital architecture, offer guidance to NPA SMEs for enhancing the supply chain resiliency. The aim of the package is to maximise impact of the project results through communication and dissemination actions. The package is designed to ensure effective communication on project's ongoing activities, upcoming events, and achieved milestones to the target audiences across all cluster regions and beyond. Additionally, it seeks to disseminate project outcomes to the Arctic Edge target groups and relevant stakeholders. The toolkit will be designed to empower rural manufacturing SMEs in implementation of innovative digital architecture. The project's effectiveness will be assessed, drawing insights and lessons from the processes and approach employed within project methodologies. The outcome of the project will be demonstrated highlighting lessons learnt. The roadmap for enhancement of supply chain resilience and knowledge transfer developed and delivered.

Project outputs: Arctic Edge transnational partnership(EN)
Jointly developed solution for skeleton digital architecture with cloud-based brokers and gateway clients(EN)
Technology transfer mechanism developed through cooperation between Digital Beacons and Research organisations. (EN)
Jointly developed pilots at project partner facilities aiming at testing conceptual framework for skeleton digital architecture though selected use cases(EN)
Technical mentoring programme for rural SMEs. (EN)
Jointly developed toolkit for manufacturing companies, providing detailed insights and step-by-step instructions(EN)
Website: https://www.interreg-npa.eu/projects/arctic-edge/home/

Thematic information

ICT and digital society SME and entrepreneurship

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

Priority specific objective: RSO1.1. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

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: 028 Technology transfer and cooperation between enterprises, research centres and higher education sector

Partners (8)

Lead Partner: Sligo Leitrim ITS Regional Development Projects DAC, operating as the AIM Centre

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 885903620

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 3728113CH

Department: AIM Centre

Address: Market Place, Abbeyquarter North, F91WV7R Sligo, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: http://www.aimcentre.ie

Total budget: EUR 491 990.72

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 319 793.96

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 172 196.76

GBER schemes / de minimis: General de minimis

Good4u

Name: Good4u

Department: n/a

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IE2976331PH

Address: Finisklin Business Park, F91AF10 Sligo, Ireland

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: https://good4u.co/

Total budget: EUR 63 390.72

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 41 203.96

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 186.76

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Comhairle Chontae Shligigh

Name: Comhairle Chontae Shligigh

Department: Local Enterprise Office

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 896758211

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IE9586690F

Address: County Hall, Riverside, F91 Y763 Sligo, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.sligococo.ie/

Total budget: EUR 52 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 34 320.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 18 480.00

Háskóli Íslands

Name: Háskóli Íslands

Department: Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999884246

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 19133

Address: Sæmundargata, IS102 Reykjavik, Iceland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.hi.is/

Total budget: EUR 99 982.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 64 988.30

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 993.70

GBER schemes / de minimis: General de minimis

Pohjois-Karjalan Kauppakamari

Name: Pohjois-Karjalan Kauppakamari

Department: HQ

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 887952648

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FI02790333

Address: Torikatu, 80100 JOENSUU, Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.pohjoiskarjalankauppakamari.fi

Total budget: EUR 311 502.86

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 202 476.85

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 109 026.01

GBER schemes / de minimis: General de minimis

Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu Oy

Name: Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu Oy

Department: RDI

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 997172708

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FI10978053

Address: Talonpojankatu , 2 67100 Kokkola, Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Total budget: EUR 170 004.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 110 502.86

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 59 501.54

GBER schemes / de minimis: General de minimis

Luleå tekniska universitet

Name: Luleå tekniska universitet

Department: Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering / Signals and Systems / Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999876874

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SE202100284101

Address: Regnbagsallen, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.ltu.se

Total budget: EUR 333 453.72

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 216 744.91

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 116 708.81

GBER schemes / de minimis: General de minimis

Seamless Aluminium Ltd

Name: Seamless Aluminium Ltd

Department: n/a

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 880329321

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IE4591403J

Address: Cavangarden, F94 AK25 Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: https://seamlessaluminium.ie

Total budget: EUR 63 390.72

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 41 203.96

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 186.76

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Good4u

Supply Chain Integration for Interoperability & Enhanced Resilience of SMEs in remote regions

Partners and Projects info

Sligo County Council

Supply Chain Integration for Interoperability & Enhanced Resilience of SMEs in remote regions

Partners and Projects info

University of Iceland

Supply Chain Integration for Interoperability & Enhanced Resilience of SMEs in remote regions

Partners and Projects info

North Karelia Chamber of Commerce

Supply Chain Integration for Interoperability & Enhanced Resilience of SMEs in remote regions

Partners and Projects info

Centria University of Applied Sciences

Supply Chain Integration for Interoperability & Enhanced Resilience of SMEs in remote regions

Partners and Projects info

Luleå tekniska universitet, Hälsovetenskap

Supply Chain Integration for Interoperability & Enhanced Resilience of SMEs in remote regions

Partners and Projects info

Seamless Aluminium Ltd

Supply Chain Integration for Interoperability & Enhanced Resilience of SMEs in remote regions

Partners and Projects info

Sligo Leitrim ITS Regional Development Projects DAC, operating as the AIM Centre

Supply Chain Integration for Interoperability & Enhanced Resilience of SMEs in remote regions

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Supply Chain Integration for Interoperability & Enhanced Resilience of SMEs in remote regions

Project acronym: Arctic Edge

Project ID: NPA0700189

Project start date: 2024-09-01

Project end date: 2027-08-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

RoboDemo (EN) | The RoboDemo project is based on several years of research and activities in the Centria in cooperation with regional companies in the Ostrobothnia as well as international cooperation. RoboDemo project builds on some of the results from the Interreg Nord RoboSol project and Horizon Trinity Project. The project will be built on technology transfer model developed by the RoboDemo project. Centria and LTU are both part of RoboDemo project and continue to collaborate on Arctic Edge project. (EN), SCORE project (EN) | The parent organisations of AIM , including the ATU and Sligo and Leitrim County Councils, have all had
extensive experience in managing EU-financed projects. The SCORE project, a €10m Horizon
Europe project involving 34 partners across Europe,
researching responses to coastal erosion. The outcomes and experience obtained from
of the project will be used in Arctic Edge project as invaluable source of information and
skillsets. (EN), DigiProcess (EN) | InterregNPA. The main goal of the DigiProcess was to support the development of digital services and ecosystems in the northern regions between SMEs and industry companies. During the project, industry and country specific co-operation is evolved to cross-border co-operation. This is done by forming co-operation ecosystems
between the companies to develop and innovate digital products and services together
in ecosystems. This expertise is invaluable for network development @ Arctic Edge. (EN), SCOTT project (EN) | Centria was involved in the project SCOTT – Secure Connected Trustable Things
Creating trust in wireless solutions and increasing their social acceptance are major challenges to achieve the full potential of the IoT. SCOTT provided comprehensive cost-efficient solutions of wireless, end-to-end secure, trustworthy connectivity and interoperability. Standardised multi-domain reference architecture, created in a predecessor project (DEWI) will help to define the best practice in the filed. (EN)

Relevant mentions and prizes:

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 586 515.14

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 966 246.50

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

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 966 246.50. Co-financing rate, 65.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan
Project Kick-off meeting and documentation
Jointly developed plan outlining the skeleton architecture of cloud-based broker and pilot gateways.
Jointly developed deployment documentation from five sites: AIM, LTU, NKCCI and two Digital Beacons
Jointly developed performance metrics to measure supply chain interconnectivity and interoperability
Report on performance metrics assessment at five partners sites involving deployment of solutions.
Performance report, outlining project achievements, continuous project progression & lessons learned
Jointly developed SME Engagement Methodology Guide
Jointly selected relevant use cases across NPA regions (N=26)
Workshop delivered to NPA SMEs
Video for education purposes related to cybersecurity and supply chain vulnerability
Mentoring support programme as individual support service for participants companies
Communication Plan
Digital Beacon example report
Toolkit for manufacturing companies, providing detailed insights and step-by-step instructions
Developed project brand guidelines, established social media accounts
Final event
Report monitoring and evaluating communication and dissemination activities
Video content and educational materials.
Creation of community of stakeholders
Sustainability plan developed

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

TerritorialAgenda2030 Small and medium-sized places are an important pillar of Europe’s territorial DNA and home to a large part of Europe’s population. The pilot action’s
focus is on the vital role of small towns and villages in the development of integrated territorial development processes. NPA regions are away from
major cities and mostly comprised from smaller towns and villages. The agenda of the strategy to boost NPA small and remote locations territorial
development coincides with the aims of the project.
EuropeanGreenDeal The project will allow to contribute to the strategy by developing long reaching solutions that allow
SMEs to participate better and implement
circular economy principles and practices into their
operations. The application of advanced
technologies with a view to enhance supply chain resilience will address issues such as wastage of materials in manufacturing, increased recycling and up cycling, implement new design practices and develop and test new business models.
Other European Strategy for Data. Arctic Edge emerges partly in response to the European Digital Strategy and 2030 Digital Compass, primarily focusing on secure digital infrastructure and business digital
transformation. It concentrates on propelling SMEs, especially from peripheral locations towards digital maturity. This project synergises well with Europe’s vision for the future of digital supply chains, Data space initiatives and other existing EU strategies relating to digital transition.
Other EU Research and Innovation 2020 – 2024 Strategy. Cluster 4 of the strategy covers the sectors of Digital, Industry and Space. The adoption of advanced supply chain and manufacturing technologies is specifically mentioned
within this cluster of the strategy as an important component of meeting the
targets. This project directly aligns with the strategy in terms of developing new innovative tools for digitalisation of supply chain that will totally
contribute to the aims of this strategy.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 010 - Enterprises cooperating with research organisations, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 14.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 003 - Small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) introducing product or process 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

2025-09-24

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)

310 / 310 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Supply Chain Integration for Interoperability & Enhanced Resilience of SMEs in remote regions

Description

Thematic information

Partners (8)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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