Icelandic Lamb takes part in a transnational project focusing on Geographical indications
The operating environment is challenging for food and non-food SMEs in the Northern areas due to factors like distance to customers, low market visibility, and difficulties in securing fair prices for quality products. The EU’s geographical indication (GI) scheme could help by protecting product names, promoting uniqueness, enabling better price, and linking products to their origin. However, this system is largely underutilized in the Northern areas compared to other European regions. The GIFT (Geographical Indication boosting Food, Non-food and Tourism sectors in Northern areas) -project aims to boost the competitiveness and visibility of local SMEs, enhance cooperation, and increase recognition of the Northern Periphery and Arctic area by enhancing the use of GI system. The project focuses on awareness raising, piloting GI application processes, and opening new markets for GI products. It will also create cross-border cooperation to support both regional and cross-border GI -applications and integrate local tourism in utilizing GI.
Project partners from four countries
The project involves 4 main partners: University of Helsinki Ruralia Institute (FIN, Lead partner), Icelandic Lamb (ICE), Local Enterprise Office, Donegal County Council (IRE) and Ministry of Agriculture, Self-Sufficiency, Energy and Environment (GRL) and 4 associated partners; Arctic Flavours Assoc. (FIN), Reindeer Hearders’ Assoc. (FIN), Vindelälven-Juhttátahkka Biosphere Reserve Economic Assoc. (SWE) and Helgeland’s Lamb (NOR). GIFT project is co financed by Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic -programme and it will be implemented between the years 2025-2028.
GIFT projects mini website includes news about the project and upcoming meetings and seminars with a kick off seminar to be held in Kuopio Finland November 11. 2025
