Project coordinator:

 Valentina Kondrateva, Center for Strategic Studies of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

Brief information: 

The project "Human in the Arctic" was initiated by the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in 2014. The project has a practical and methodological character and is aimed at assessing the quality of life of the Arctic population , identifying the main problems that hinder the development of Human in the Arctic, and finding ways to address them. 

Since 2014-2017 sociological surveys were conducted with an aim to assess the quality of life in the village. Cossack village of Ust-Yansky district, with. Kharyalyakh, Olenek district, with. Kystatyam Zhiganskoy ulus and with. Iengra of the Neryungri district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), as well as in the Inter-settlement territory of the Turukhansk district of the Krasnoyarsk Territory (hereinafter - Turukhansky district) and the village of Palana in the Kamchatka Territory (hereinafter - Palana, Koryaksky AO).

The results of the research showed the activity of the population, the desire to learn, the readiness to raise their qualification level and the level of their incomes through conducting business activities, reviving traditional types of occupations. Based on the results of the surveys, a socio-demographic portrait of a person in the Arctic was compiled.

In the settlements of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), covered by the project, training and methodological seminars were held to increase motivation for entrepreneurial activity, organized by the Center for Strategic Studies of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and municipal administrations of settlements, with experts from Norway and the Northeastern Federal University . M.K. Ammosov.

The implementation of the Human in the Arctic project is included in the socio-economic development of the Ust-Yansky region (region) of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (Decree of the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) No. 216 of July 26, 2014) and the Zhigansky Set of Measures for Social and Economic Development National Evenki District of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (Decree of the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) No. 317 of August 31, 2016).

Project’s Goal:

Assessment of the quality of life of the Arctic people, identification of the main problems hindering the development of Human in the Arctic, and development of measures to increase the role of labor motivation, development of entrepreneurial activity while maintaining the traditional way of life of the peoples of the North, taking into account the experience of foreign countries in the Arctic.

Project Objectives:

- Carrying out sociological research to assess the quality of life of the population in the subjects of the Russian Federation and foreign countries with Arctic territories;

- Drawing up a complex social portrait of Human in the Arctic;

- Development of recommendations for improving the quality of life of the population of the regions of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.

Current activity:

To assess the quality of life, field sociological surveys are conducted to assess the quality of life of the population on the territory of the Russian Federation, the results of which testify to the activity of the population in the management of destiny and readiness for professional development, the level of well-being and motivation for doing business, the revival of traditional occupations and the preservation of cultural identity.

As part of the preparatory work for the organization of the round table of the Northern Forum working group "Assessment of the quality of life of the population in the Arctic regions", within the framework of the XIII General Assembly of the Northern Forum, with the participation of the members of the working group, a draft concept was developed and a plan of activities for the implementation of the Human in the Arctic Project for 2018 -2020 years.

The results of the project will serve to form new approaches to a comprehensive study of Arctic problems, assess and monitor indicators that provide an objective picture of the Human in the Arctic, and develop a set of measures to improve the quality of life of the population living in the Arctic.

Results Achieved:

In March 2017, within the framework of the implementation of the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) No. 317 of August 31, 2016, "A set of measures for the socio-economic development of the municipal district" Zhiganskiy national Evenki district "of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)" an educational and methodological seminar , aimed at increasing the motivation for entrepreneurial activity of the population (68 hours). The main lecturer was Elin Sabbasen, business consultant of the Sami Development Center, the national coordinator of the microcredit project in Norway. Training was 15 people, including 10 people. - representatives of the indigenous people.

Also, in March 2017, a round table "Prospects for the development of entrepreneurial initiative in traditional sectors of the North" was held with international participation in cooperation with the Department for External Relations of the RS (Y) and the Northern Forum in the framework of the IV All-Russian Congress of Reindeer Herders. 85 people took part in the event, including from Norway, the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Murmansk Region, the Magadan Region, the Komi Republic, the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, municipal districts, the executive bodies of the RS (Y), reindeer husbandry workers, enterprises and organizations, scientific institutions specializing in the sphere of traditional industries of the North.

In November 2017, the Koryaksky District of the Kamchatka Territory was covered by the project "Human in the Arctic" from the subjects of the Russian Federation with the territories of the Arctic zone. Sociological research was conducted in Palana, 160 respondents were interviewed. Based on the results of the study, a social portrait of a person in the Arctic was compiled in the Kamchatka Krai, the results are included in the summary analytical note "Assessing the quality of life in the Arctic (based on monitoring the quality of life of the population and the results of sociological surveys in the framework of the Human in the Arctic Project").

In December 2017, this analytical note was sent to the executive authorities and interested organizations in accordance with paragraph 2.3.3. Protocol of the meeting of the coordination Arctic Council under the Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) of August 4, 2015 No. 2 and in pursuance of the State task of the State Educational Institution "Center for Strategic Studies of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)" for 2017, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) No. 278-OD of December 30, 2016.

Activities in 2018:

April 2018.

XIII General Assembly of the Northern Forum. Human in the Arctic project was featured in NF Projects Presentation during the XIII General Assembly of the Northern Forum in Krasnoyarsk. Upon its review the project was recommended for submission to NF Call for Projects on the theme No. 7 “Assessing the Quality of Life of People in the Arctic Regions”.

Working meeting with the lecturer of educational and methodological workshops of Human in the Arctic project, Business Consultant of Saami Labor Centre Elin Sabbasen (Norway). It discussed the outcomes of Human in the Arctic project and plans for further engagement in terms of increasing motivation for entrepreneurship in the Arctic through educational and methodological workshops.

July 2018.

Sociological research aimed at assessing the quality of life of indigenous people in Kamchatka Krai. As a part of Human in the Arctic project implementation, Centre for Strategic Research of Sakha Republic (Yakutia) conducted sociological study to assess the quality of life of indigenous people and cultural vitality in Palana village, Kamchatka Krai, in November 2017. The study covered 160 households. The obtained data was processed and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0. Following the sociological survey of households in Palana village, Kamchatka Krai, their quality of life was compared to Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and Krasnoyarsk Krai, a sociodemographic portrait was also composed. The outcome of analysis were sent to Dmitriy Korostelyov, Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Kamchatka Krai, for further work (reference number 567-03 dated 24.07.18 г.).

January – September. Developing and submitting the application to NF Call for Projects on the theme No. 7 “Assessing the Quality of Life of People in the Arctic Regions”.

Work Plan:

−       Approving Human in the Arctic project concept and action plan for 2018-2020;

−       Developing educational programs (including distance programs) and practical courses focused on increasing competencies and profile of professions needed for traditional industries in the Northern and Arctic regions together with vocational institutions;

−       Participating in NF Call for Projects on the theme No. 7 “Assessing the Quality of Life of People in the Arctic Regions”;

−       To further broaden the reach of sociological studies to identify the quality of life of indigenous peoples in the North, Russian Arctic regions and foreign countries.