New cross-border project supports Sámi handicrafts and Indigenous businesses

Sápmái Buorrin aims to strengthen Sámi entrepreneurship across national borders

Interest in Sámi culture and traditional handicrafts is growing internationally. At the same time, many Sámi artisans and small businesses are facing increasing challenges. To address this, the Sámi Council has launched a new cross-border initiative designed to support Sámi entrepreneurship across the entire Sámi homeland.

The project, Sápmái Buorrin – Building the Future of Sámi Businesses, brings together the Sámi Council, the Finnish Sámi Central Organization (Suoma Sámiid Guovddášsearvi), and the Sámi Handicraft Foundation (Sámi Duodji), with support from regional funders and the EU’s Interreg Aurora program.

Supporting authentic Sámi craftsmanship

Sámi duodji includes a wide range of traditional handicrafts, from knives and wooden cups to jewellery and textiles. While demand for these products is increasing, artisans are also facing growing competition from mass-produced items that draw inspiration from Sámi culture without being made by Sámi people.

According to the project partners, this makes it harder for customers to recognise authentic Sámi craftsmanship and threatens the long-term sustainability of Sámi cultural livelihoods. Limited market visibility, differing national regulations and practical border barriers further complicate the situation for small Indigenous businesses.

Why cross-border cooperation matters

Sápmi stretches across northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia’s Kola Peninsula. Although Sámi culture transcends national borders, business regulations do not. Differences in legislation and trade practices can make everyday entrepreneurship unnecessarily complex.

Sápmái Buorrin is built around this reality. Over the next three years, the project will offer both in-person and digital workshops covering topics such as product photography, communication, and business development. The first physical gathering is planned for June 2026 in Ohcejohka.

A home-residency programme will also provide hands-on support for Sámi artisans and entrepreneurs, particularly in areas like cross-border sales and daily business operations.

Pilot cities and new market approaches

In addition, the project will select one pilot city in each participating country. There, organisers will collaborate with local retailers and venues to explore how Sámi-made products can be integrated into everyday commercial environments.

While the project has a strong business focus, its broader goal is cultural sustainability. Making authentic Sámi products more visible in larger markets helps ensure that economic value flows back into Sámi communities.

As the project team emphasises, strengthening Sámi businesses today also helps safeguard Sámi culture for future generations.

More on the project Sápmái Buorrin.

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