This is about city of students – city of fun.

Authors: Pavel Tkach, Nina Vermot, Mael Manuel Bueno & Elena Kavanagh 

One of the major challenges faced by the Arctic region is the constant struggle against the migration of young people to warmer places or places with opportunities for education, employment, and…fun. However, not many people realize that the Arctic and its cities are also promising and enjoyable places to live. The objective of the series called “Cities of the Arctic Youth” is to converse with the Mayors of Arctic cities to explore opportunities and to demonstrate to the public that cities in the Far North can be attractive places for young individuals. Today, we will discuss with Ms Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir, the Mayor of Akureyri, and answer the question: Is Akureyri a city of  Arctic youth?

General Information about Akureyri

Akureyri, the capital of the North of Iceland, is a charming town located in the northeast part of Iceland. With a population of 20 thousand people, Akureyri is the fifth most populous municipality in Iceland and the largest one outside the capital area.

Akureyri on the map. Retrieved from https://elding.is/akureyri

The town boasts stunning landscapes and is surrounded by mountains, including the highest mountain, Kerling (1538 m.). The nearby mountain Sulur (1213 m.) and its two peaks, Ytri-súla and Syðri-súla, is a popular spot for hiking among local students. Additionally, the mountain peak Hlíðarfjall, located only 6 km from the town, is the second-largest ski resort in Iceland, attracting between 70 and 100 thousand visitors annually.

Hlidarfjall ski resort. Retrieved from https://www.akureyriguide.is/skiing-in-akureyri/

Apart from the beautiful mountains and the clear blue water of Eyjafjörður – one of the longest fjords in Iceland, Akureyri is also a convenient point of access to several tourist attractions of Iceland, such as waterfalls Goðafoss and Dettifoss, the Myvatn Lake, and the impressive geothermal site named Hverir.

Godafoss waterfall (c) Pavel Tkach

Akureyri is home to the main Arctic university in Iceland – the University of Akureyri, which hosts more than 3 thousand students, including exchange students from all over the world, in different study programmes. Except for being home to the Arctic University, Akureyri is also a centre of Arctic research in Iceland, hosting the offices of the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) and Protection of Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) working groups of the Arctic Council, Iceland Arctic Cooperation Network, and many other Arctic-oriented research organizations.

Akureyri, its place in Iceland and the lives of Icelanders

Life in Akureyri embraces a harmonious coexistence between tradition and modernity. The town’s charm is not only given by its colourful houses but by the history carried with them. Indeed, many of these meticulously preserved buildings are home to museums. Be they within or outside of the town itself, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the Icelandic culture and history.

“I think we have a lot to offer” (c) Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir, the Mayor of Akureyri.

Here, locals proudly showcase traditional songs, dances and age-old traditions. The Akureyri Museum’s permanent exhibitions help us understand that by transporting us from the Settlement Age to life in Iceland nowadays. 

To Ms Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir, “…supporting the Icelandic culture and Icelandic traditions and introducing Icelandic traditions to young people is essential.

In an era of globalization, where cultural homogenization threatens to erode unique identities, Akureyri is a bastion of tradition. “We try to get people to participate in that, in cultural events and many others.” the Mayor adds.

An example she provided was introducing people to “Þorrablót” (or “Þorri”), “a traditional mid-winter feast celebrating Icelandic heritage and culture”, happening usually on January 19-26. The town’s “fruitful cultural life” goes beyond traditions, as efforts to safeguard Iceland’s cultural legacy continue with a myriad of modern art events. Among them is the famous Iceland Airwaves, one of Iceland’s most famous music festivals. 

Þorrablót. Retrieved from https://understandiceland.is/thorrablot-mid-winter-festival/

Akureyri’s popularity extends beyond its cultural significance. Despite its relatively small size compared to the capital, Reykjavik, Akureyri, holds a special place in the hearts of Icelanders.

Mayor Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir confirms that “if Icelanders are not going abroad, they are going to Akureyri”.

The town’s stunning natural surroundings provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, attracting adventure enthusiasts from far and wide, “especially during the winter time”, the Mayor says. The winter welcomes a variety of recreational activities. Ms Sturlurdóttir explains: “We have quite many sports clubs, a ski area, and a fruitful cultural life and cafes, restaurants and bars because it has to be fun – living 24/7 when you are young”. An example of a breathtaking winter event includes the town’s annual snowboarding competition, AK Extreme, located right at the town’s centre (see video recap of the event below).

 

During the summer, people can enjoy the town’s tranquil surrounding fjords and hike trails of picturesque landscape. Sightseeing activities also include relaxing at the Forest Lagoon, visiting the Akureyri’s botanical gardens, whale watching from the port, and more extreme activities such as river rafting. Akureyri, very close to nature, allows visitors to enjoy the nearby tourist attractions of Iceland.

The local administration’s efforts to make this town full of life are even more important, knowing there is “average participation in cultural events”. The Mayor continued by adding, “We try to get people to participate in that, in cultural events and quite many others”. The efforts made to make Akureyri a Town of the Arctic Youth emanate from its vibrant character to its heart-shaped traffic lights. All in all, Akureyri echoes the famous Icelandic song as a place “Where the heart beats”.

Challenges of the town

Akureyri sits approximately 388 kilometres away from Iceland’s bustling capital, Reykjavík. Transportation options from/to Reykjavík are limited, with only two scheduled bus trips daily in each direction operated by Strætó, priced between 60 to 80 USD depending on the season. Alternatively, Icelandair offers daily flights up to 5 times a day, costing between 100 to 200 USD. Travel times vary significantly, ranging from 5 to 6 hours by car, 7 hours by bus, or a mere 40 minutes by plane, often contingent upon favourable weather conditions – a luxury not always afforded by Iceland’s unpredictable climate (read more).

Using public transportation to come to Akureyri remains a daunting prospect. Additionally, despite being a regional hub, Akureyri’s airport services remain modest, often necessitating connecting flights via Reykjavík’s domestic airport for those travelling from abroad.

The Mayor acknowledges this dilemma, stating, “It is hard to travel in Iceland if you do not have a car”.

Yet, for students and young professionals, the financial burden of car ownership often proves prohibitive.

The high cost and time-intensive nature of travel contribute to Akureyri’s overall sense of isolation, potentially deterring newcomers and fueling the outflow of youth seeking greater accessibility and opportunity elsewhere, particularly to the centre of finance and politics that is Reykjavík. Akureyri’s remoteness, hence, poses a significant challenge to the town’s vitality and attractiveness. Addressing this challenge is crucial not only for sustaining Akureyri’s vitality but also for retaining its youth population. Engaging youth in the solution-making process is equally vital to ensure that their perspectives and needs are adequately represented.

Recognizing the urgency of the issue, both local and national governments have prioritized mobility enhancement initiatives. Measures include free town bus services for residents and visitors, as well as state subsidies for domestic flights and buses. Initiatives such as the Icelandic Route Development Fund, involving grants, subsidies and discounts to aircraft operators, aim to revitalize regional airports, fostering connectivity with both domestic and international destinations. The town of Akureyri is now connected to Greenland, Copenhagen, London and Tenerife (read the news)

Yet, the Mayor explains, “while these efforts provide some relief, they fall short of fully addressing the underlying issues of cost and accessibility that persistently plague Akureyri’s transportation infrastructure”.

Looking ahead, addressing the mobility challenge remains a core objective of the town of Akureyri’s strategy for supporting its youth and ensuring the town’s long-term attractiveness. Active involvement of youth in the solution-making process is seen as essential for developing sustainable and inclusive strategies that meet the needs of all residents.

Attractiveness of the town

The life in the town is eventful. But, eventful, in this case, means that the town’s infrastructure and local policies provide local youth with flexibility in making their own lives fun. The town’s structure is thoughtfully designed, with downtown street Hafnarstræti serving as a hub for affordable pubs, fast food restaurants, and more upscale establishments. Students can easily navigate the compact town on foot, hopping from one pub to another in a single night.

Hafnarstræti Akureyri. Retrieved from https://www.icelandtours.is/attractions/akureyri/

The open-air swimming pool, which is accessible all year round, is just a 7-minute walk from the downtown street and has become a favourite spot for many student groups and residents of Akureyri.

The Mayor noted that “the swimming pool is our meeting place and is our Icelandic Bar, and it is cheap to go there, it is good for your health, and you can meet a lot of people”.

Akureyri Swimming Pool. Retrieved from https://visitorsguide.is/akureyri-swimming-pool/

Additionally, as mentioned above, Akureyri Museum, Akureyri Art Museum, and HOF Culture House offer art exhibitions and concerts catering to various interests. Except for winter sports activities, the town also has sports clubs, such as KA (Knattspyrnufélag Akureyrar) and Thor, where young people can engage in multiple team sports activities.

HOF Akureyri. Retrieved from https://www.sinfonianord.is/studio/

Another point of attractiveness of the town is housing, especially housing for students. Unlike Reykjavik, where rental places are in high demand and competition is intense, Akureyri offers a relatively balanced supply and demand for accommodation options.

Ms Sturlurdóttir explains: “For those who come here to study, it is pretty easy: we have a dorm, and we have a renting company owned by the University that has a lot of apartments to rent out, and they are going to build now even smaller apartments that can be rented both part-time (for those who are coming for a week, for example) and for long-time. So, it is good if you are studying here”.

To provide students with affordable housing, Félagsstofnun stúdenta (FESTA), a non-profit organization owned by the University of Akureyri, its students, and the municipality of Akureyri, offers a range of housing options, from single-person rooms to two-bedroom apartments. Moreover, all students in Iceland are eligible to apply for housing benefits, which are monthly payments designed to assist people who rent residential properties. That includes properties in the general rental market, social housing, student housing, or halfway houses. For example, a FESTA one-bedroom apartment, 44 sq.m., costs 916 USD and a student renting such a place, even without having any registered income, is entitled to receive from the state 295 USD to pay the rent. The amount of monetary assistance from the state can reach from 30% to 60% of rent cost.

Students Dormitory “Utsteinn”. Retrieved from https://www.festaha.is/is/en/english

Additionally, the town has implemented policies to regulate the housing market and prevent speculative practices that could drive up prices.

“A lot of apartments owned by renting companies from which you can rent a place for a good price”, says Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir.

Measures such as rent control ordinances, zoning regulations, and property tax incentives are utilized to maintain stability in the housing market and keep rental and homeownership costs manageable for residents.

Except for support options for students, all public transportation in Akureyri is free of charge for everyone, and affordable groceries are available in low-cost grocery stores – Bónus.

Akureyri – town of opportunities for youth

Akureyri offers a unique blend of natural beauty and a thriving community that fosters self-development and education. One of the town’s greatest assets for young people is its commitment to education at all levels.

Mayor Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir explains: “I think the most important for a community like Akureyri is to have higher education, both junior colleges and also university”.

Among the prestigious institutions, she named the Akureyri Junior College, the Akureyri Junior Technical College, the University of Akureyri, and the town’s University Hospital. Here, young minds are nurtured and empowered to pursue their passions across a wide range of fields, from marine biology to renewable energy. With state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive learning environment, the University serves as a springboard for the aspirations of Akureyri’s youth, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world. The Mayor explains that many of the programs offered collaborate with the most prominent companies in the town: “all this works together”.

The University’s master’s program in Polar Law is particularly noteworthy, as the program is taught in English and is free of charge. That is a unique feature, as most European countries offer free-of-charge study only in state languages or only to citizens of the EU and EEA. As a result, not only does this stimulate the inflow of Icelandic students, but the one of international students and exchange students too.

The Mayor confirms: The University has changed a lot as well. With that, we have an international group of students, and that is very important for our town.

That is paramount to contributing to the town’s diversity and development. This diversity fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas, knowledge and expertise from various cultures and backgrounds, challenging all to find critical and creative solutions to issues found at different levels (from local to global). 

Moreover, international students contribute to Akureyri’s economy by injecting revenue into the town, be it through tuition fees, housing expenses, or spending on goods and services. This financial influx stimulates local businesses, supports job creation, and bolsters the town’s overall economic growth. Thanks to its high-level educational platforms, Akureyri’s students complement and enhance the town’s workforce across various sectors. That applies especially to the town’s main industries: fisheries and food processing. Mayor Sturlurdóttir accounts that “the students get jobs after they graduate, and companies are competing for these young people”. Consequently, a plethora of opportunities for vocational training and skill development are created (see the video introduction to the University of Akureyri below)

 

However, the vibrant job market of the town and the increase of citizens within Akureyri are contributing to the nation-wide housing crisis, which has been happening since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis was worsened by the increase of Airbnb. Developing affordable housing projects is a key initiative undertaken by the town, as explained above.

Akureyri and adaptation to its local life

Education, cultural activities, language adaptation and networking opportunities are the pillars of the town of Akureyri’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and integration for newcomers. The objective is to provide foreign youth and young professionals with the means to build strong social capital and connections to local networks.

Akureyri’s educational institutions lead the way in this matter. The University of Akureyri stands out as a beacon of diversity, attracting a diverse cohort of international students to its halls. While Icelandic remains the primary language of instruction, the University offers a range of courses in English, catering to the needs of exchange students. Additionally, the University organizes courses designed to introduce the Icelandic language, community, and nature to international students, fostering a deeper understanding of the local culture and environment. 

Beyond academia, Akureyri offers various recreational and cultural activities that serve as avenues for social interaction and integration. From outdoor pursuits like hiking and skiing to cultural events such as Akureyrarvaka (Akureyri’s Cultural Night), the town provides opportunities for newcomers to engage with the local community and forge connections. (see the video report about 2022 Akureyri’s Cultural Night below)

 

Cultural institutions like art museums showcase the rich tapestry of Icelandic culture, offering newcomers insights into both traditional and contemporary artistic expressions.

Language adaptation is another cornerstone of newcomers’ integration into Akureyri’s local life. The preservation and promotion of the Icelandic language are central to the town’s governance.

“We support (…) and subsidize Icelandic tutoring for foreigners that are moving to Iceland,” explains Mayor Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir.

She specifically points out the importance of programs offering Icelandic language courses in educational settings, especially in elementary schools and junior colleges. Organizations like Móðurmál (the Association on Bilingualism), supported by governmental bodies, further promote multilingualism in Icelandic society.

Moreover, initiatives to incorporate Icelandic into digital platforms demonstrate innovative approaches to language preservation in an increasingly digitized society.

Mayor Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir takes the example of the “initiative made by the Minister of Culture to make an agreement with Disney to offer all Disney movies in Icelandic (…) because that is a big thing for small kids to listen to the Icelandic language.” She also adds: “Google knows Icelandic because a lot of Icelanders work in Google and Microsoft”.

According to a study published in Nordicom Review, Icelandic online communities and Icelandic media represent a pivotal platform to enhance the integration of migrants into Icelandic society.

As Mayor Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir explains, “We have been using our connections to preserve the Icelandic language in the modern world”.

Finally, the town’s labour market presents opportunities for newcomers to establish themselves professionally and socially. With diverse sectors, including fishing, research, healthcare, tourism, and services, Akureyri offers a range of skilled and unskilled jobs. While the Mayor specifies that there are no specific policies targeting young professionals, various organizations and societies like Rótarýklúbbur Akureyrar (Round Table Iceland) provide platforms for socialization and community engagement. The Mayor explains that there is “a huge participation in these societies that help people to get to know other people.” These networks play a crucial role in facilitating newcomers’ integration into the local social and professional spheres.

Akureyri’s approach to social and language adaptation reflects its commitment to fostering inclusivity and integration for newcomers. By leveraging educational opportunities, cultural activities, language support initiatives, and networking platforms, the town endeavours to create a welcoming environment where newcomers can thrive and contribute to Akureyri’s community life. Despite these efforts, Mayor Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir acknowledges room for improvement in integrating foreign youth into local initiatives.

“We do not have quite many foreign young people that participate in the youth council,” she notes.

Active participation from young people in such endeavours is essential for ensuring the diverse voices of the community are heard in policy-making processes.

Municipal administration and its work with youth

The involvement of the town in the well-being of its citizens goes beyond education and housing, as it is a place for self-development, too. It is well known that living in the Arctic carries a wide set of challenges, including but not restricted to the extreme climate, harsh weather conditions, and geographical isolation. These inherent characteristics of the region can contribute to a variety of stressors that affect mental health.

“We have been experiencing an increase in mental problems with young people, and that is a global issue, I think, not only in the Arctic”, confirms Mayor Sturlurdóttir.

She explained to us that one of the main challenges within the last four years has been dealing with issues linked to mental well-being. As such, safe spaces have been opened by the municipality to engage with others and benefit from mental health services. The Bergið Headspace contributes greatly to this mission. The headspace is oriented at supporting young people who need to talk to professionals in trust and confidence in a warm and welcoming environment. The success of this initiative in Reykjavik is a promising sign that similar efforts in Akureyri will be equally successful. Thus, since the start of the headspace work in 2019, over 1300 young people in Reykjavik have used the services of the organization.  Despite efforts to reach as many as possible, the Mayor noticed, There are always groups that you cannot reach.” Those in this position are often found to be unschooled young people, those staying at their homes (early leaving from education and training (ELET)), those dealing with drug issues, and those who have diseases that need to be addressed. The deployment of mental health centers within the town and among universities are considered to be the most helpful. The effectiveness of Akureyri in participating in self-development has even inspired the capital, Reykjavik, to create a similar system in 2007.

One of the ways to combat ELET, mental health problems and drug issues in Iceland is by addressing the problem through non-formal and informal learning and quality youth work. Fjölsmiðjan á Akureyri is an organization that aims to provide diverse work and study options to young people aged 16-24 years old to help them re-enter the education or work environment and make informed decisions about their future after completing their training at Fjölsmiðin. The organization was established in Akureyri in 2007 by the Red Cross, the Municipality of Akureyri, and the Icelandic Directorate of Labour. Over the years, Fjölsmiðjan á Akureyri has achieved significant success in combating ELET and also self-destructing habits of young people.

Mayor Sturlurdóttir concluded: “We have all kinds of initiatives that aim at getting people out of their homes, trying to help them learn to work and supporting them to go back to schools or just supporting them to deal with their mental health or some of them are dealing with drugs or have other diseases needs to be addressed, maybe that is the group difficult to reach that we have a lot of initiatives that aimed at helping these young people. It is also very expensive that people are at home only, which is expensive for society.”

As of 2024, there are six youth centres that all seven schools in the town have access to. The primary objective of these centres is to encourage positive and meaningful communication among children and teenagers while promoting their social development and democratic thinking. The activities of the youth centres are organized through a collaborative effort between the teenagers and staff. The administration’s vision behind establishing these youth centres is supposed to be fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity within society. The importance of enhancing a sense of belonging for all segments of society is also the reason why the town’s administration tries to utilize a variety of communication methods, including active engagement on social media platforms, to connect with the younger members of the community effectively.

Youth in Governance: present

The Mayor of Akureyri clearly shows how actively they are trying to engage with youth during decision-making processes.

Ms Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir ensures us that young people have a voice in shaping their community and making a real difference: Everybody can participate in the planning process; you can give your opinion on every plan in the town, so it is the law, and it is the process.

The Youth Act 70/2007 in Article 11 sets the responsibility on municipalities to form the youth councils and to engage with them in the planning process for urban development.

The Mayor adds: We decide to ask young people for their opinion on certain questions. We are trying to introduce them to the planning process and invite them to participate. Especially we have the town centre, areas around schools or green areas or things like that, and then we try to get them to participate. This comment on the inclusivity of the planning process is very promising for the youth. 

This open invitation for the youth of Akureyri to participate is not a mere formality but a genuine call to action. The town is trying to make itself attractive and comfortable for the young people. There is a real opportunity for the youth to get their voices heard and tell the local government what they think about the town centre, local schools or green spaces. The Mayor ensures us that the youth’s voices are influential in decision-making.

Like most of the cities in Iceland, Akureyri is affected by the consequences of climate change. Climate change adaptation and environmental preservation are the areas of priority for the local government. In this exclusive interview, the Mayor shares the plans for engaging the youth in shaping the climate policy for the town: “We have both climate policy and environmental policy, and we are actually branding a new climate policy that we are implementing and working on finalizing.” That is the key moment for the youth to be heard on the local level and translate their concerns into actions.

The town of Akureyri has already demonstrated the ethos of environmental preservation and made encouraging efforts to the conservation of limited resources.

According to the Mayor,  “We have initiatives on saving both hot and cold water in Akureyri. Our energy company is working on that and asking people to save the water.”

The focus on climate and nature is not without the proud comment on the “low energy prices and low prices of water”, which sounds attractive to the youth.

Mountain Kerling. Retrieved from https://peakvisor.com/peak/kerling.html

Youth in Governance: future

We witness significant changes in the Arctic environment, climate, and population in every corner of the Arctic. It is important to think of the future of Akureyri. As it is a town full of young people and a thriving university, it has the potential to have a bright future. Youth plays a critical part in the future of Akureyri because youth is the future. The insights from the interview with Ms Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir shed light on the possible ways youth could shape and take part in the future of Arctic governance.

Iceland is witnessing a demographic transformation, when people tend to move from towns and villages to larger cities”, creating a trend towards urbanization, leading to the decline of villages and towns. This trend is probably set by youth, who look for more opportunities in the larger cities. This urbanization trend should be addressed with youth in mind to sustain vibrant, inclusive, and youth-oriented communities in smaller towns and villages and make them more resilient. On the other hand, the larger cities should be made more comfortable for youth who continue moving there.

A crucial aspect of the future of an Arctic town like Akureyri is the participation of youth in governance. The Mayor highlights the legal obligation in Iceland to involve youth through the Youth Council. This initiative helps young people to be heard. However, while it is a promising initiative, in practice, youth need to be supported and encouraged to participate.

Ms Ásthildur Sturlurdóttir regrets that, at the moment, it is a “very monochrome group of young people” who are currently engaged in the Youth Council, “we do not have quite many foreign young people that participate in Youth Council, and we do not have many kids that are not at schools participating in Youth Council.”

The absence of diverse voices, especially those of international youths and non-students, points to a significant gap in the inclusivity of this initiative.

There is a general disinterest in politics and governance among the young people. The Mayor notes, young people do not see why they should be spending their time trying to impact their town. This sentiment is supported by the deterrent effect of social media scrutiny and demands of personal time with “very little salary or no salary at all”.

Ms Sturlurdóttir wittily remarks, “Participation in youth decision-making…competing against Netflix and YouTube”, making this comparison even more evident.

The Mayor of Akureyri is hopeful and making a lot of steps in the effort to mobilize the Arctic’s youth for the future of the town. It is a perfect opportunity for youth, be it local or international, to try out civic engagement. It is a very rewarding experience because young voices and fresh ideas are able to make a difference in the town.

The future of governance depends on the ability to engage with the local youth. Youth has the potential to shape a happy and resilient Akureyri community. The Mayor of the town invites the youth to be more proactive and help navigate challenges together. The insights from the youth in this respect are invaluable for a happy Arctic future.

Conclusion

Akureyri is an affordable place, in the context of the high Icelandic prices, that offers a cosy atmosphere for both locals and tourists to enjoy. Despite the logistical challenges posed by its location, the town provides a variety of options for relaxation and entertainment, allowing residents and visitors to tailor their experience to their unique preferences. Akureyri is a proven centre of Arctic research and development, making it a perfect place for international students and researchers seeking personal growth. With available housing and the option of receiving housing benefits from the state, free-of-charge public transportation, and a compact town structure, living in Akureyri is not only easy but also fun for local youth.

The administration’s efforts to invite or create various youth-oriented organizations demonstrate several goals pursued by the town. Firstly, combat early leaving from education and training and self-destructive habits through informal education and youth work. Secondly, ensure that the youth in town has a “third space” to break away from the school-home lifestyle. Thirdly, enhance the sense of belonging to the local society and develops trust between society and young individuals. It is worth noting that extensive work is also being done to assist newcoming young families in efficiently integrating into society and expanding their communication circles.

It is clear from the interview that the town of Akureyri has a strong orientation towards preserving nature and climate. With that in mind, participatory planning is granted paramount importance to the town. Throughout the interview, there was a strong feeling of hopefulness and empowerment for the young people. The Mayor wanted to get across a sense of responsibility for the future and give the real tools to make a difference in the community. Being active partners in governance is the vision of youth for the Mayor. Building a brighter and happier future together with the youth is the goal of the local Akureyri administration.

Nonetheless, the discussion raised the important challenge that youth organizations in the Arctic, such as the Arctic Youth Network, and youth-oriented projects, such as Youth Together for Arctic Futures, should tackle – the feeling of uselessness of young people in governance and lack of confidence in the strength of their voices.

But for now, can we say that Akureyri is the City of the Arctic Youth? Definitely, yes. The capital of Northern Iceland has always had its doors open for the Arctic Youth and will have these doors open in the future…

University of Akureyri Polar Law class of 2019 in R5 pub, Akureyri. (c) Pavel Tkach

About the Author: Arctic Youth Network

The Arctic Youth Network is a youth-founded and youth-led non-profit organization supporting a global network of youth through international cooperation and capacity-building.

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