The international RemoTED project was officially launched in May 2025 in Iceland, where the Kick-Off Meeting and Launch Event took place.

The project aims to improve social and healthcare services in remote areas by strengthening professionals’ digital and technological competencies and by piloting new solutions. The three-year project (2/2025–1/2028) is coordinated by Lapland University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Atlantic Technological University (Ireland), and the University of Iceland.

During the Kick-Off Day, the project partners reviewed the project’s objectives, work packages, and communication strategies. A key focus of the day was the application of the horizontal principles of the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme, with an emphasis on building a greener, more inclusive, and gender-equal NPA region. The day concluded with a guided tour of the University of Iceland campus.

The Launch Event was held the following day at the University of Iceland and was also streamed for remote participants. The event introduced the goals of the RemoTED project and featured presentations by several Icelandic health and technology stakeholders, including:

  • Öryggismiðstöðin – www.oryggi.is
  • Bean Fee – beanfee.com
  • MEMAXI – memaxi.com
  • Hátindur 60+ – hatindur.is
  • The Healthcare Institution of South Iceland – Distance services for people with chronic illnesses and home hospital care – https://island.is/s/hsu

 Steinunn Olafsdottir delivers the words of welcome on behalf of the University of Iceland.

Representatives of the RemoTED team from Lapland University of Applied Sciences — Susanna Leskinen, Mira Koskenniska, and Henri Perälä — found the atmosphere at the Kick-Off and Launch Event inspiring. The collaboration with both international and national partners grew stronger. During the meeting, the project team jointly agreed on internal communication practices, which will help ensure timely and clear project communication moving forward.

– Clarity in project communication and team operations is especially important to ensure that project activities progress properly according to the funding decision, states Mira Koskenniska.

Iceland, as a country and culture, was a new and very memorable experience for our entire team, with its hot springs and mountainous landscapes. According to the Lapland UAS team members, Reykjavik is a vibrant and relaxed city, where one feels welcome and safe.

– This gives us a strong starting point to move forward with the project towards next autumn’s webinar series on technological solutions in our partner regions. Each partner university will host one webinar in turn, and more information will be shared closer to the time, explains Susanna Leskinen.

At the Brúarfoss waterfall, representatives of Lapland UAS. From left to right: Mira Koskenniska, Susanna Leskinen (Project Manager), and Henri Perälä.

Group photo taken at the University of Iceland campus. Back row, from left to right:
Henri Perälä (Lapland UAS), Sanna Ahponen-Käyhkö (Karelia UAS), Suvi Leppänen (Karelia UAS), Mira Koskenniska (Lapland UAS), Susanna Leskinen (Lapland UAS), Steinunn Olafsdóttir (University of Iceland), Maria Gallagher (ATU).
Front row, from left to right: Jaana Kurki (Karelia UAS), Karla Muñoz Esquivel (ATU).
Other project team members: Leila Nisula (Lapland UAS), Louise McBride (ATU), and Nick Timmons (ATU).