Ilisimatusarfik participates in international research project on depopulation and the future of nature

Ilisimatusarfik is partner in the new international research project REVIVE: Restoring Ecosystems in the Face of Depopulation Via Innovation & Entrepreneurship - a project that will study how depopulation affects nature and local communities, and how sustainable innovation can breathe new life into remote areas.

The project has received DKK 1.9 million in funding and is co-financed by the EU's Erasmus+ program.

It is led by Associate Professor Javier Arnaut from Ilisimatusarfik and brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, and local communities across Europe - from Finland and Spain to Italy, Bulgaria, and Lithuania.

All over the world, many remote areas face the same challenge: as cities grow, rural areas are depopulated and nature is transformed.

When people move away, landscapes change - and the ecosystems that normally provide us with food, energy, clean water and cultural value lose their balance.

The REVIVE project therefore aims to develop new tools and methods for understanding and addressing these changes.

Through workshops, local initiatives, and digital knowledge sharing, the project will strengthen local competencies and inspire sustainable businesses that benefit both nature and society.

At the same time, researchers will create a common system for monitoring how population changes affect ecosystems, economies, and local communities - and share experiences and solutions across partner countries.

The goal is to generate new knowledge that can be used by researchers, decision-makers, and local communities to ensure a more sustainable future in depopulated areas.

You can read much more about the research project on our website.