By fostering inclusivity, cultural centres can attract a broader range of visitors and promote social well-being. Cooperation between the tourism and cultural sectors can also promote year-round tourism.

The Inclusive Centres of Culture – Collaborative and Inclusive Cultural Tourism Through Nordic Cooperation (ICCE) project, which focuses on improving the accessibility of cultural centres, was launched at the end of 2024. The project emphasizes inclusivity and aims to enhance the accessibility and attractiveness of cultural centres for diverse audiences. Key goal of the project is to identify barriers that prevent so-called non-visitors from engaging with cultural centres’ activities.

The core aim of the project is to develop cultural centres into vibrant meeting places that foster interaction between local communities and travelers. By strengthening cooperation between the tourism and cultural sectors, the project seeks to promote year-round tourism for both domestic and international visitors, highlighting the region’s cultural attractions.

The project is led by Lapland University of Applied Sciences, with the City of Rovaniemi as the Finnish partner responsible for developing the Korundi House of Culture. Swedish partners include Konstmuseet i Norr (Kiruna), Skogs- och samemuseet (Lycksele), Gold of Lapland (Västerbotten), and Umeå University, which will focus on the development of its Bildmuseet art museum.

The project duration is from November 1, 2024, to December 31, 2026. It is funded by the Interreg Aurora program, the Regional Council of Lapland, Region Västerbotten and Lycksele community. The total project budget is 760 722 €, of which 492 995 € is covered by EU funding.

The project partners met for the first time in mid-January at Korundi in Rovaniemi. The kick-off event aimed to deepen partnerships and address the project’s goals, implementation, and focus on sustainability. The meeting also examined the first development target: the Korundi House of Culture. The current state, challenges, and opportunities of Korundi were analyzed, and the partners shared insights and experiences on how to increase visitor numbers and make cultural services more accessible and inclusive for northern residents and travelers.

Photo: Tatu Kantomaa, City of Rovaniemi