The Barents Secretariat is closing its three offices in northwestern Russia: – We see no other way out. Of course it’s a sad day, says Lars Georg Fordal.
The secretariat he heads funds Russian-Norwegian cooperation projects to build mutual understanding on both sides of the border.
The corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine have completely changed the Barents cooperation.
– The pandemic has closed the border for physical meetings. The war has led to sanctions and restrictions that have made cooperation increasingly difficult, Fordal tells VG.
Five Russian employees of the Secretariat’s offices in the cities of Arkhangelsk, Murmansk and Narjan-Mar will be laid off from February 1 next year.
– Less cooperation
Back in Kirkenes, ten Norwegian employees sit and see that the future is uncertain.
– There is no doubt that the room for maneuver has become very limited. There will be less cooperation. I’m not surprised if we get a cut in funding, Fordal says.
The activities of the Barents Secretariat are financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is owned by the county municipalities of Nordland, Troms and Finnmark.
Extensive cooperation
The Barents Secretariat has had an office in Russia since 1996. Before the pandemic, there were 150-200 cross-border projects every year.
– Since the early 1990s, the extensive collaboration has involved 35,000-40,000 Russians and Norwegians each year. We have been a trailblazer for dialogue, says Fordal.
There has been collaboration between organizations within civil society in the north, with a focus on culture, sport and education.
Norwegian and Russian journalists, cultural workers, school classes and students met, athletes competed. Concerts and theatrical performances were organised.
The head of the secretariat believes that interpersonal cooperation has also paved the way for dealing with more complicated topics, such as political disagreements.
Russian voices
– After the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, cooperation with Russian official institutions stopped. We do not support travel to Russia and have no business there.
Fordal however sees openings for some form of collaborative projects. Not with official Russian actors, preferably with exiled Russians.
– A great many Russians are against the war, but perhaps they are taking a personal risk by expressing their opposition. We will make sure that Russian voices are heard too.
In 2019, the last year before the pandemic and the war, the Barents Secretariat had a budget of NOK 22.6 million, compared to just under NOK 13 million this year.
