supported by the nordic council of ministers


arctic skills

The 2022 Arctic Opportunity Explorer is completed! Students from across the world building their skill sets and becoming green problem-solvers.

use your experience


become a mentor

Each student team is matched with a mentor who can offer guidance as they progress through the program. We welcome people with both specific know-how and general experience working professionally with sustainability. Tell us a bit about yourself, and why you wish to help out, and we’ll be in touch shortly.

prepare to change the world


acquire new skills

As a student taking part in our student case competition, you will gain useful professional skills that will help you to get out and make a difference in your career. While developing entrepreneurial ideas and exploring a variety of themes related to sustainable development in the Arctic, you will work together with students from around the world, connect with mentors, network with a range of career professionals, and generally get firsthand experience with what it’s like to work in the sustainability consulting industry. This program will help you develop a range of skills and experience, including project management capabilities and the use of common project management tools. You will sharpen your presentation skills, and you will receive training in a range of subject material via a series of webinars brought to you by various academic and consultancy professionals.

The 2022 challenge is closed!

promoting student entrepreneurship 


from inspiration to action

The Arctic Opportunity Explorer is a virtual learning programme that aims to equip students with not only unique problem-solving skills to approach the challenges faced by Arctic communities, but also the professional skills needed in today’s digitised, globalised world. In 2020, our Arctic Opportunity Explorers programme officially kicked off with an inaugural group of students representing 11 universities and 9 countries around the world. In 2021, 58 participants from 24 universities went on an entrepreneurial journey with support provided by eight partner universities, and global biotech firm Novozymes.  Read more about last years’ projects below.

collaborate with students across the world


guided innovation

The Arctic is a fragile environment, with unique social and environmental challenges. We believe that the youth have what it takes to combat these challenges, through sustainable innovations. The Arctic Opportunity Explorers challenge brings together pioneers from universities around the globe and equips them with digital tools and theoretical frameworks to address some of the most complex challenges facing the Arctic. Student entrepreneurs will be paired with professional mentors for guidance and will have the opportunity to engage in professional development throughout the program.

UiT Arctic Opportunity Explorer
Icelandic Tourist Board

Francesco Rosati Award-winning associate professor at Technical University of Denmark & Steering Committee Member of the Arctic Opportunity Explorer

contribute to agenda 2030


SDGs as lanterns

The Sustainable Development Goals can help to guide Arctic Opportunity Explorers. We show how they can be built into business plans to drive positive change.  This program is particularly focused on utilising SDG 17, partnerships for the goals, to uplift and promote discussions surrounding SDG 3, good health and well-being, and SDG 5, gender equality. 

identify a challenge, collaborate to solve it 


address arctic challenges

Students must identify a challenge that exists in Arctic communities today that is connected to sustainable development with a component related to either gender equality or the rights and well-being of children.  Once you truly understand the scope of the challenges, we will help students group to collaboratively ideate and iterate potential solutions. Each group’s entrepreneurial journey will be showcased on our digital collaboration platform powered by Thirdroom. The final version of the teams’ ideas will be presented and judged by a panel of experts at the conclusion of the programme. 

main dates


timeline

Registration & team formation: September Kick-off event: October 3 Webinars & Coaching: October & November Arctic Opportunity Finale: November 30

promote change in the arctic


why you should join

Students: Besides being part of a unique journey towards fighting climate change, inequality and other prominent challenges in the Arctic, you can expect: Branding via numerous social media posts (Instagram, LinkedIn & Facebook) Showcasing on Sustainia’s webpage and digital space and those of our partners Internship opportunities with Sustainia

Businesses: The chance to define focus areas and set the agenda for student solutions. Talk to us about opportunities to engage with students on real issues relevant to your business.

Professional mentors: Influence the next generation of sustainable change-makers.

Universities: Promotion across our social media platforms and opportunities for professors and staff to conduct webinars and highlight their work. Get your students engaged in subject material that goes beyond the classroom.