Roots and Future – Empowering Minority Language Education and Communities

The main objective is to advance the collaboration in minority language education across the borders and strengthen the language skills and confidence to speak neighbouring languages. The project aims to promote the networking across the borders and increase the awareness of neighbouring minority languages and their importance. The project aims to raise the knowledge about cultures, history and working opportunities in the area, and enhance the appreciation towards minority languages and culture heritage of the area.

The projects activities focus on four languages: Kven, Meänkieli, Finnish spoken in Sweden and Swedish spoken in Finland. Knowledge about the history, status and culture relating to these languages and information about working, studying and internship opportunities are increased, language skills enhanced, and cross-border networks strengthened by digital language cafes, webinars, lectures and study visits.

The main results are: 1) a cross-border collaboration network for minority language education 2) a digital platform for learning and teaching 3) improved digital language learning competence for adult students and language teaching competence for teachers 4) more confident use of minority languages and appreciation of cultural heritage 5) more awareness of minority languages and working opportunities of the area, 6) publications and videos  7) teaching material for Kven.

The project is carried out by Oulu University of Applied Sciences in Finland, Alta kvensk språksenter in Norway and Sverigefinska folkhögskolan in Sweden.

The project is funded by Interreg Aurora, the Regional Council of Lapland, and Troms County Municipality.