Pola Zabuska, originally from Poland, had a problem with politics.

After studying it for years, she realized something was wrong.

– I realized it is often a very negative space, with people fighting for power, but not actually doing anything helpful for ordinary citizens, like me, she says.

So she started doing something about it.

Now 23 and finishing her Master’s in Political Science in Amsterdam, Pola has become a part of the team behind ReGeneration Week 2025 – a youth sustainability festival happening in Åland, Finland this August.

– This year’s theme, Safety Beyond Borders, is very relevant in these unstable times for the Baltic region. With threats such as climate disasters, the rise of far-right, and military interventions, civil security is rising in importance.

Opening doors for others

Pola joined ReGeneration 2030 – the youth organization behind the festival, because of her interest in climate justice and youth empowerment.

Through their Catalyst for Change program, she’s now helping with promotion, reaching out to organizations and supporting social media efforts.

She explains her motivation:

– There are a lot of young people who do not believe that the current social-economic systems are correct and support ecological transition, but they do not feel like they have any power to change the reality.

The truth is, there are many barriers to meaningful youth engagement, especially the tokenisation of youth voices

Therefore, young people with a voice need to open doors for others, she explains.

– The young people who are heard need to advocate to open the space more for others, and mobilize each other for common action, to make a bigger impact.

A week of youth action

This year’s event runs from August 22-26 in Mariehamn, Åland.

Pola describes it as something special:

– Because it brings together young people from across the region to learn from each other and mobilize for collective action.

– It is a safe space where we share our best practices, make connections and enjoy our time in nature.

The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference happens at the same time, meaning young activists can speak directly with regional policymakers.

– My hope is that the ideas of young people generated during the ReGeneration Week 2025 would be translated into tangible policies.

Finds peace in nature

Despite her digital organizing work, Pola finds her best ideas come when she’s offline.

– I like the moments when I am without my phone and I can enjoy what is around me. This when I get inspired and motivated to strengthen my climate advocacy efforts.

As she finishes her master; her thesis focuses on climate justice in the Baltic Sea region, she explains what it is about sustainability that attracts her.

– Sustainability for me is a policy area that connects restoring the ecosystems, creating a more healthier environment, and fighting social inequalities, she explains.

– Even if it is a small change, it brings me an enormous amount of satisfaction to see my efforts realized and make somebody’s life better.

This interview was done by Markus Thonhaugen from the High North Center, Nord University as part of the YoungArctic project — an initiative working to make the Arctic a more attractive place for young people to settle, work, and live. Through our Instagram page and this blog, we share stories from youth across the region — to better understand their lives, hopes, and challenges.

Ahmed Iyad Hassan Algharib moved to Bodø three years ago to study real estate at Nord University. He came north for education, but also for a change of environment.

He talks about the calm, the nature, and the light.

– It’s a beautiful place to study. You become closer to nature, and you can’t forget the northern lights.

He says life in Bodø has given him focus. It’s quiet, stable, and peaceful — the kind of setting that helps him concentrate on what he wants.

Everything is beautiful around here!

Wanting something steady

As he nears the end of his degree, Ahmed is thinking about what happens next.

He enjoys living in Northern Norway, but isn’t sure if it makes sense to stay. The job market for real estate is limited, and he wants more than just short-term options, he shares.

– The real estate market is not the greatest here in Bodø. There are better opportunities in other places, he reflects.

Ahmed isn’t alone in weighing his future outside Northern Norway. Statistics show that the region has faced a steady outflow of young adults for years.

In fact, Nordland — where Bodø is located — has one of the highest rates of young people (aged 19–29) moving away, with a net loss of over 9% in this group from 2000 to 2022.

Also one in three people in Northern Norway say they are considering leaving within the next five years—and most are looking to bigger cities in the south.

Like many young people, Ahmed dreams of having enough — enough to support himself, buy a home, and live with stability. But he’s honest about how difficult that can be, especially in regions with fewer long-term opportunities.

– To be independent — to support yourself, live a simple life, own a house one day. That’s what I want. But it might be easier to achieve that elsewhere.

Wants more young voices at the table

Ahmed has been politically engaged since he was younger, including time in the youth wing of the Labour Party.

– We need new blood in politics. People who understand us. People who think about our issues.

According to numbers reported by Vårt Land, the number of parliament members under 30 fell from 18 in 2017 to 13 in 2021, out of the total of 169 representatives.

This even though 19 percent of Norway’s population is under 30. By the end of the current term, only two representatives will still be under 30, as several will turn 30 during the period. Whether this downward trend continues will become clear after this autumn’s election.

To Ahmed, young people in politics is important.

– We are the future, he says.

This interview was done by Markus Thonhaugen from the High North Center, Nord University as part of the YoungArctic project — an initiative working to make the Arctic a more attractive place for young people to settle, work, and live. Through our Instagram page and this blog, we share stories from youth across the region — to better understand their lives, hopes, and challenges.

Aviaaja Lennert Olsen is from Sisimiut on the west coast of Greenland.

The city, she explains, is known as the ‘pearl of the coast’ due to its history as the first fishing capital of the country.

Olsen grew up surrounded by her family, raised to learn and prioritise the Greenlandic language and stay close to the land. Much of her childhood was spent outdoors.

– I was raised in nature and peace and love. With all the love I could get.

She also grew up during a time of visible change and need of constant adaptation to the environment. Her community have had to adapt to the ongoing unstable weather.

For all the communities in Greenland that depend on predicting the changes of the seasons, that shift has brought uncertainty and risks, she explains.

– We can’t rely on weather forecasts anymore. We read the weather ourselves — but now it comes with worry.

Watch the video interview with Olsen below. The post continues below it.

Learning responsibility early

Learning the responsibility of her own community from a young age, Aviaaja felt the expectations of taking charge placed on her generation.

In Greenland, it has become normal for younger generations to be taught that they will one day take on the responsibility of protecting their country and its culture.

– We knew since we were children. That we are the next generation. That we have to take responsibility and be good representatives of our country.

She describes it as both meaningful and demanding. It has shaped her path of life, including her decision making to pursue higher education and get involved in organisational work.

– There are good aspects of it. But it also comes with a lot of pressure.

It can be overwhelming, but Iʼm willing to take that responsibility for my country.

A promise to return

Aviaaja is currently studying Sustainable Heritage Management in Aarhus, Denmark.

But her plan is clear. She wants to return to her community in Sisimiut and work with nurturing local cultural knowledge — possibly at the museum or within the municipality.

– I want to make knowledge systems more accessible. I want to work in ways that help sustain heritage and pass it on to the next generation.

She says people at home are proud of her — and waiting for her to return. Thatʼs a promise she intends to keep.

– A lot of them are waiting for me to come home. That means a lot to me.

Thinking about the next generation

Aviaaja is driven by a passion to make things easier for those who come after her.

She hopes for the future generations in Greenland to grow up with less societal pressure, and for them to be able to carry on the future of Greenland with more ease.

– I hope my future children wonʼt have to bear the generational trauma I was born with.

And I hope they know their mom didnʼt stop at any point.

She also hopes for stronger cooperation across the Arctic and beyond.

Youth, she says, need to be included in the discussion. Not just spoken with, but given the chances of being able to make real influence within the Arctic.

– We are the future. And we should be equalized within our society to be part of the decision making processes.

This interview was done by Markus Thonhaugen from the High North Center, Nord University as part of the YoungArctic project — an initiative working to make the Arctic a more attractive place for young people to settle, work, and live. Through our Instagram page and this blog, we share stories from youth across the region — to better understand their lives, hopes, and challenges.

Daniel Solvang, originally from Kongsberg, moved north about five years ago.

He first came to Bardufoss for military service, and later stayed to pursue a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a year of economics at Nord University in Bodø.

– It’s been fantastic living in Northern Norway. I’ve always appreciated the region, and even more so after my military service, he says.

His time in the North sparked a deeper interest in security policy and influenced his decision to study in Bodø.

– There are other universities that offer similar programs, but I chose Bodø because you’re right in the middle of the geopolitical landscape, he explains.

Photo: Markus Thonhaugen

Security challenges in a changing region

For Daniel, the concept of “new realities” in the Arctic is not abstract.

He believes Norway is entering a new security era. One that requires clear-eyed decisions and stronger national preparedness.

– We’ve been used to thinking of the North as calm and stable, but global tensions are increasing.

The worst thing we can do now is being naive.

He’s particularly concerned about the protection of critical infrastructure in strategically important coastal cities.

– The situation is serious. Strategic coastal cities need air defense and anti-drone systems to meet global threats, he reflects.

Photo: Markus Thonhaugen

Believing in the North’s potential

We spoke to Daniel in Bodø in December 2024. Just two months later, he landed his dream job at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace – before his final exam.

Studying in the North was something he emphasized as a positive experience:

– I’ve always appreciated the region, even more so after my military service. The strong focus on defense policy makes it an exciting place to live and study.

He also pointed to the need for job opportunities — and bold investments:

– Business in the North must adapt to uncertainty and dare to invest—especially in green energy and aquaculture. These are areas where the region already has strong knowledge.

This interview was done by Markus Thonhaugen from the High North Center, Nord University as part of the YoungArctic project — an initiative working to make the Arctic a more attractive place for young people to settle, work, and live. Through our Instagram page and this blog, we share stories from youth across the region — to better understand their lives, hopes, and challenges.

As a teenager, Juan Vicente de Miguel had one goal: get to Tromsø.

Growing up in Pamplona, Spain, he was already passionate about nature, marine biology — and photography. He enrolled in a double bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Sciences, knowing it could open the door to an exchange in Norway.

He studied hard and made it happen, spending a year in Tromsø.

After finishing his degree back in Spain, he returned north. First as a northern lights guide and research intern, then as a student once again.

Working outdoors, meeting people from around the world, and using his camera gave him both freedom and direction.

Now 25, Juan is  working on a master’s degree in Arctic marine ecology and building a life inspired by science, photography, and a deep respect for the changing North.

– A lot of people don’t get to choose what they want to do. That’s why I want to give something back through my work, he reflects.

Research with impact

Juan’s master’s thesis is part of a broader collaboration between NINA, Akvaplan-niva, and UNIS. Together, they’re exploring how Arctic ecosystems are shifting under climate change — especially the links between land and sea, which have long been studied separately.

His research focuses on Svalbard, where he’s looking at how freshwater from rivers affects biological production in Arctic fjords.

As glaciers retreat and permafrost thaws, more water — along with sediments and nutrients — flows from land into the sea. These changes are altering the dynamics of life in coastal ecosystems, but the full impact is still not well understood.

So better understanding these connections is essential.

Photo by Juan via Instagram.

The Arctic is extremely diverse, both in time and space, Juan explains.

– What we observe in one place might look completely different somewhere else. That’s why this kind of research is so urgent, especially now.

The Arctic is a warning light for the rest of the planet

A camera, and a mission

Photography has been part of Juan’s life since he was half the age he’s now.

He started out on weekend trips with his father, who introduced him to the camera. After his father passed away, photography became something more — a way to hold on to that connection, and to express what he felt about the natural world.

In the Arctic, that mission has deepened. Juan uses his lens to capture both the beauty and the fragility of the region. His goal isn’t just to document. It’s also to move people.

– I want my photos to transmit what I feel. If I can make someone care about the Arctic through an image, that’s already something, he says.

One image stands out: a polar bear hunting on the sea ice.

He took it during his first Arctic expedition, and it’s stayed with him since.

– It reminded me how brutal and beautiful nature can be.

Photo by Juan via Instagram.

Building a life up north

Living in Tromsø, far from his family, isn’t always easy.

But Juan says he feels supported, and that support gives him strength. He’s found a rhythm here: a place where science, creativity, and community come together.

– I feel lucky. Not everyone gets to choose what they do with their life. I know I’m very privileged to have the life I do.

He explains that his plan is to stay in the Arctic for now, doing research that matters, and using his camera to tell the world why this region deserves care.

His message to other young people?

– Come north. It’s challenging. But your work can really matter here.

Photo by Juan via Instagram.

This interview was conducted by Markus Thonhaugen from the High North Center, Nord University and Eva Chamorro from APECS as part of the YoungArctic project — an initiative working to make the Arctic a more attractive place for young people to settle, work, and live. Through our Instagram page and this blog, we share stories from youth across the region — to better understand their lives, hopes, and challenges.

Growing up in Oslo but with strong northern roots, Ingrid Eline Barrabés Gørrissen (22) always felt a connection to the Arctic. Her family heritage ties back to Sørfold in Nordland county, where her lulesámi background has shaped both her values and her dreams for the future.

Today, as region secretary for Natur og Ungdom and deputy leader of Oslove Noereh, Ingrid fights for nature, Indigenous rights, and sustainable futures. But her own future — and where she will live it — depends on something more than personal commitment.

Ingrid dreams of working in marine biology, conducting research that strengthens the Arctic instead of exploiting it. She is clear: she doesn’t want her work to depend on funding from large oil companies or industrial salmon farming. But today, many research projects rely on just that — leaving young scientists facing difficult choices.

Ingrid Eline Barrabés Gørrissen was in Tromsø for the Arctic Youth Conference 2025, where this interview took place. Here from Tromsø harbor.

The barriers to staying

For Ingrid and many others, the challenges of building a life in the north go beyond the job market. Weak infrastructure, shrinking healthcare services, and long travel distances make daily life harder, especially outside the main cities.

When hospitals close, when schools disappear, when the nearest health services are hours away — it pushes people south, she reflects.

It’s not just about having a job. It’s about being able to live a full life.

The current political focus on centralizing jobs and opportunities around Oslo and southern Norway frustrates her. She calls for policies that truly support living across the whole country — and that recognize Indigenous knowledge in building sustainable Arctic communities.

Fighting for change

Ingrid’s heart issues are clear: protecting nature, fighting climate change, and defending Indigenous rights. For her, these struggles are deeply connected.

“We have to stop seeing nature only as a resource,” she says.

“We are part of it. And Indigenous perspectives — how we care for land and water — offer lessons decision-makers urgently need to hear.”

Her hope is for a future where young people don’t have to choose between staying in the Arctic and building a meaningful life. Where the Arctic isn’t just a resource frontier, but a living, thriving place for those who call it home.

“The Arctic has so much to offer,” Ingrid says.

“We just need the right conditions to make staying possible.”

This interview was conducted by Markus Thonhaugen from the High North Center, Nord University, as part of the YoungArctic project — an initiative working to make the Arctic a more attractive place for young people to settle, work, and live. Through our Instagram page and this blog, we share stories from young people living, studying, and working in the Arctic, to better understand their perspectives and challenges.