Regenerative Economic Transfers for Universal Resilience in the North

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

Date of latest update: 2025-09-24

Description

Description (EN):

The RETURN project addresses the shared challenges of the NPA regions, where tourism revenue is often seen disconnected from the local community and environmental needs. The project’s objective is to identify successful tourism revenue transfer models that support the local community and the environment. By presenting different models of tourism taxation and voluntary payments to decision-makers around the NPA region, the project will provide concrete alternatives for how the local communities can better benefit from tourism. RETURN will produce policy recommendations, legal frameworks, and capacity-building tools, empowering communities and policymakers. A transnational approach is essential to sharing knowledge across regions facing similar challenges. RETURN’s novel focus on revenue transfer as a driver of both tourism sustainability and community resilience sets it apart from conventional models, offering an original solution to the region's common challenges.

Expected Achievements (EN):

WP1 aims to identify, evaluate, and document existing tourism revenue transfer models, including taxes, levies, entrance fees, and voluntary payments, focusing on their contributions to regenerative tourism and climate resilience in Northern and Arctic regions. The goal is to develop a comprehensive understanding of these models and how they can be adapted to support local communities, nature conservation, and climate adaptation in the NPA regions. This includes producing a detailed analysis and best practices guide to inform and assist stakeholders in implementing effective revenue transfer tools. The objective is to create a comprehensive understanding of how different legal contexts impact model adoption, promoting successful integration and operationalization of these models in diverse regional settings. analyze and map the legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks governing tourism revenue transfer models in different NPA regions. By the end of the project, we aim to produce a comprehensive report that demonstrates how these frameworks align with national, regional, and local legal conditions. The measurable outcome will be the identification of necessary adjustments to ensure that proposed models are effectively implementable within each specific legal context, thus facilitating their adoption and use. To build capacity among key stakeholders to utilize different models of economic transfers for regenerative tourism to build community resilience to climate change and ecosystem restoration, enhance ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction, and integrate local knowledge and scientific insight into tourism management. The goal is to empower communities and decision-makers to use regenerative tourism as a mechanism for climate resilience, disaster risk prevention, ecosystem restoration, and conservation, leveraging tourism revenue transfers to fund sustainable infrastructure and restoration initiatives while raising awareness among visitors and the local communities.

Project outputs: Organisations involved in RETURN project as partners and associate partners. (EN)
Tourism Revenue Transfer pilots Developed and Implemented Inside the NPA Region(EN)
Tourism Revenue Transfer Models(EN)
Legal and Regulatory Framework for Tourism Revenue Transfers(EN)
Regenerative Tourism Toolkit(EN)
Pilot Project Case Study: Tourism Revenue Transfer Models(EN)

Thematic information

Governance, partnership Knowledge and technology transfer Community integration and common identity

Priority: (VI-B_NPaA_2) Strengthening the capacity for climate change adaptation, and resource sufficiency in NPA communities

Priority specific objective: RSO2.4. Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 061 Risk prevention and management of non-climate related natural risks (for example earthquakes) and risks linked to human activities (for example technological accidents), including awareness raising, civil protection and disaster management systems, infrastructures and ecosystem based approaches

Partners (7)

Lead Partner: Lapin Yliopisto

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 0292800-5

Department: Arctic Centre

Address: Yliopistonkatu , 96300 Rovaniemi, Finland

Department address: Pohjoisranta, 96100 Rovaniemi, Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.ulapland.fi

Total budget: EUR 397 760.46

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 258 544.29

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 139 216.17

Mittuniversitetet

Name: Mittuniversitetet

Department: Department of Economics, Geography, Law and Tourism

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SE202100452401

Address: Kunskapens väg, 83125 Östersund, Sweden

Department address: Campusvägen, 831 40 Östersund, Sweden

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.miun.se/en/Research/research-centers/etour/

Total budget: EUR 187 198.28

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 121 678.88

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 65 519.40

Fróðskaparsetur Føroya

Name: Fróðskaparsetur Føroya

Department: Faculty of History and Social Sciences

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 328944

Address: J.C. Svabos gøta, FO-110 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

Department address: Jónas Broncks gøta , FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.setur.fo/en/

Total budget: EUR 187 198.28

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 121 678.88

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 65 519.40

Háskólinn á Akureyri

Name: Háskólinn á Akureyri

Department: Icelandic Tourism Research Centre

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 5206871229

Address: Norðurslóð , 600 Akureyri, Iceland

Department address: Borgir v/Norðurslóð, 600 Akureyri, Iceland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.unak.is/

Total budget: EUR 187 191.72

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 121 674.61

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 65 517.11

Ilisimatusarfik Kalaallit Nunaat

Name: Ilisimatusarfik Kalaallit Nunaat

Department: Centre for Arctic Welfare, Institute of Social Science, Economics and Journalism

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CVR nr.: 19785289

Address: Manutooq, 3905 Nuussuaq, Greenland

Department address: Manutooq, 3905 Nuussuaq, Greenland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://uk.uni.gl

Total budget: EUR 187 198.28

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 121 678.88

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 65 519.40

Leave No Trace Ireland

Name: Leave No Trace Ireland

Department: Registered Charity 20082178 Company Limited by Guarantee 465628

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PIC number 911307726

Address: Castlebar Street, KD63 Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website (not verified): http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/

Total budget: EUR 187 198.28

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 121 678.88

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 65 519.40

Munster Technological University

Name: Munster Technological University

Department: Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism (CERT) Research Group

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IE 3714786EH

Address: Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website (not verified): https://go.mtu.ie/CircularEconomyforRegenerativeTourism

Total budget: EUR 265 838.18

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 172 794.81

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 93 043.37

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Mid Sweden University

Regenerative Economic Transfers for Universal Resilience in the North

Partners and Projects info

University of the Faroe Islands

Regenerative Economic Transfers for Universal Resilience in the North

Partners and Projects info

University of Akureyri

Regenerative Economic Transfers for Universal Resilience in the North

Partners and Projects info

University of Greenland

Regenerative Economic Transfers for Universal Resilience in the North

Partners and Projects info

Leave No Trace Ireland

Regenerative Economic Transfers for Universal Resilience in the North

Partners and Projects info

Munster Technological University

Regenerative Economic Transfers for Universal Resilience in the North

Partners and Projects info

University of Lapland

Regenerative Economic Transfers for Universal Resilience in the North

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Regenerative Economic Transfers for Universal Resilience in the North

Project acronym: RETURN

Project ID: NPA0800224

Project start date: 2025-04-01

Project end date: 2028-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Tourism360 was an NPA bridging project to explore a new circular tourism approach and the integration of regenerative tourism practices. The final report provides good practice case studies throughout the circular tourism cycle and proposes a circular tourism model. The implementation of these examples or the model would be supported by the tourism revenue transfers explored in the RETURN project. (EN) | The Tourism360 NPA project provides a foundation for the RETURN project by exploring circular tourism and regenerative practices. Its case studies and proposed circular model align with RETURN’s focus on tourism revenue transfers, supporting sustainable practices in local communities. By leveraging insights from Tourism360, RETURN promotes resilient tourism that benefits both the environment and local populations. (EN), Ethical Tourism Recovery in Arctic Communities was an NPA clustering project to enable short-term business recovery while exploring options for a more culturally and locally sensitive tourism future. The ETRAC report and strategy outlines four pillars for ethical tourism recovery which have synergies to approaches for regenerative tourism outlined in the RETURN project. (EN) | The Ethical Tourism Recovery in Arctic Communities (ETRAC) project aims for short-term business recovery and culturally sensitive tourism. Its four pillars for ethical tourism align with the RETURN project’s regenerative tourism approaches, promoting community engagement and cultural sensitivity for sustainable Arctic tourism. (EN), Exploring a regenerative tourism approach to rural community development in Scotland and Ireland. This was a 2022-23 Ireland–Scotland Bilateral Network Grant project between MTU (RETURN Project Partner) and UHI to gain an understanding of regenerative tourism at community development level. The project developed case studies to demonstrate how regenerative tourism community initiatives can have positive and meaningful impact and created indicators of a regenerative tourism approach to community development. This has strong synergies to WP3 of the RETURN project. Funded by the Royal Irish Academy. (EN) | This project exploring regenerative tourism for rural community development in Scotland and Ireland aligns with the RETURN project, particularly WP3, also led by MTU. By developing case studies and indicators that showcase the positive impacts of regenerative tourism, this initiative provides valuable insights for RETURN. The shared leadership of MTU enhances collaboration, ensuring best practices are integrated effectively. (EN), Slow Adventures in Northern Territories. This NPA main project (2015-18) was centred around the idea of encouraging more people to spend time in, and learn about, natural environments, as well as slowing down through human-powered journeys. As such SAINT started many of the conversations that led to the ETRAC and Tourism360 projects, and therefore, ultimately, RETURN. (EN) | The Slow Adventures in Northern Territories (SAINT) project set the stage for the RETURN project by promoting engagement with natural environments through human-powered journeys. By initiating discussions that led to the ETRAC and Tourism360 projects, SAINT helped shape sustainable tourism practices. RETURN builds on this foundation by integrating regenerative tourism principles, encouraging responsible behavior, and enhancing community resilience in the NPA region. (EN), Scientific Tourism Project. The principal objective of this NPA main project of the project was to facilitate a greater market reach for SMEs and micro-companies in remote and sparsely populated areas, utilising a new marketing concept of scientific tourism. Under the brand ‘Wonder Seekers’ the web site continues to promote experiences that educate consumers and take them away from ‘hot spots’ to new, peripheral areas, (EN) | The Scientific Tourism Project enhances market reach for SMEs in remote areas through the ‘Wonder Seekers’ brand, promoting educational experiences that redirect visitors from crowded hotspots. This aligns with the RETURN project’s goals by fostering responsible tourism and community engagement. Together, these initiatives amplify their impact on local economies and promote regenerative tourism strategies in lesser-known destinations. (EN), The Regenerative Nature Tourism (REGGAE) project focuses on promoting accessible and regenerative tourism that enhances the well-being of tourism entrepreneurs. The project addresses the dual impact that tourism can have on nature destinations—either contributing to environmental degradation or fostering positive, sustainable change. With global trends showing that travelers are increasingly conscious of sustainability, the project aims to introduce regenerative tourism as a transformational approach that creates net positive effects on both ecosystems and human societies.
By focusing on micro and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), REGGAE tackles the specific challenges these businesses face, such as value for money, customer acquisition, lack of visibility, and the need for stronger collegial networks. The project builds capacity among tourism entrepreneurs through the development of networks and clusters, courses, a guidebook, and new thematic tourism experiences co-created with researchers, local communities, and entrepreneurs.
As a result, tourism firms gain enhanced competitiveness and bring greater benefits to the destination by contributing to the regenerative capacity of the environment, local communities, and cultures. REGGAE promotes cross-border collaboration, showcasing the shared culture, history, and vulnerable yet valuable nature of the region. Through these sustainable practices, tourists not only enjoy their experiences but also learn how to give back to nature. Ultimately, the project increases well-being for nature, society, and culture, while providing more stable income opportunities for tourism entrepreneurs. (EN) | The Regenerative Nature Tourism (REGGAE) project and the RETURN project share synergies in their focus on regenerative tourism. REGGAE is one of the first project focsing on regenerative tourism. Both aim to develop regenerative tourism models benefiting local communities and ecosystems. While RETURN explores tourism revenue transfers for conservation, REGGAE enhances SMEs’ well-being through capacity-building and thematic experiences, promoting sustainable, cross-border tourism initiatives. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 599 583.48

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 796 371.47

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

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 796 371.47. Co-financing rate, 65.00%.
ERDF equivalent: Amount, EUR 121 678.88. Co-financing rate, 65.00%. Sources, GL.
ERDF equivalent: Amount, EUR 121 678.88. Co-financing rate, 65.00%. Sources, FO.
Others: Amount, EUR 121 678.88.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Comprehensive Report on Tourism Revenue Transfer Models
Case Study Compilation Report: Succesful Tourism Revenue Transfer Models
Best Practices: Implementing Tourism Revenue Transfer Models
Policy Recommendations: Implementing Tourism Revenue Transfer Models
Presentation Materials: Visuals and infographics
Training Materials
Legal and Regulatory Landscape Analysis Report
National-Specific Policy Guidance Documents
Series of Legal Workshops and Stakeholder Consultations
Policy Recommendations for Implementing Regional Specific Tourism Revenue Transfer Models
Capacity Building Events
Tourism Destination Community Events
Tourism Destination Community Involvement Model
Educational Toolkit for Regenerative Tourism
Content for Exhibitions
Blueprint for Replication
Pilot Project Case Study
Transnational Knowledge Report on Tourism Revenue Transfer

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal The RETURN project supports the EU Green Deal's overarching aim to make Europe climate neutral by 2050. By developing tourism revenue transfer models that encourage sustainable practices, the project supports low-impact tourism and promotes activities like ecosystem restoration, nature conservation, and climate adaptation, directly contributing to achieving climate-neutral objectives.
TerritorialAgenda2030 The RETURN project aligns with the Territorial Agenda 2030 by promoting balanced and sustainable tourism in rural and peripheral regions. It fosters local and just economic growth through tourism revenue transfer models, enhances social inclusion, and supports ecosystem restoration and climate resilience. By implementing cross-border cooperation and empowering local communities, RETURN contributes to territorial cohesion and environmental sustainability across northern Europe.
SeaBasinStrategyArcticOcean The RETURN project contributes to the EU's Arctic Policy by promoting sustainable tourism practices that enhance climate resilience and ecosystem restoration in Arctic regions. By fostering collaboration across Arctic communities and developing tourism revenue transfer models, the project supports local economies while preserving the fragile Arctic environment, aligning with the EU's goal for a peaceful, sustainable, and prosperous Arctic.
EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion The RETURN project aligns with the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region by promoting sustainable tourism that strengthens regional resilience and environmental sustainability. By developing tourism revenue transfer models that support climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration, the project contributes to the region's goals of preserving biodiversity and reducing environmental impact. This aligns especially with the strategy's focus on environmental protection and prosperity.
AtlanticStrategy The RETURN project aligns with the Atlantic Action Plan 2.0 by promoting sustainable tourism and enhancing coastal community resilience. It supports economic diversification, environmental protection, and climate change mitigation, all key priorities of the plan. The project also fosters cross-border cooperation, contributing to the sustainable growth of the blue economy and protection of marine biodiversity in the Atlantic region.
Other The RETURN project shares strong synergies with the Faroe Islands' new tourism strategy, Preservolution, which focuses on balancing preservation and evolution of the nation’s nature and culture. By promoting tourism revenue transfer models that support regenerative tourism, RETURN aligns with the strategy’s core aim of fostering responsible and sustainable growth. Both initiatives prioritize preserving local environments and cultural heritage while enabling tourism to benefit local communities.
Other The RETURN project fits perfectly with the NPA programme 2021-2027 focus on resilient and sustainable communities in the Northern Periphery and Arctic regions, aligning with priorities of climate change adaptation, economic resilience, and sustainable use of natural resources.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

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

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

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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Regenerative Economic Transfers for Universal Resilience in the North

Description

Thematic information

Partners (7)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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