GLOW

Through the GLOW2.0 project we are strengthening communities and SMEs in Ireland, Iceland, Norway and Finland in a sustainable way, creating opportunities to increase competitiveness.

GLOW2.0 supports businesses and public organisations to develop tourism during the dark winter months. This will be achieved by enabling the application of immersive technologies in businesses and by developing collaborative applications showcasing the night sky. These new solutions will be integrated into existing tourism strategies and digital solutions for natural and cultural heritage. The aim is to enable businesses to reach a wider range of target groups. These will allow companies to develop their own business models for sustainable development.

There are three main aspects that we will work on:

  1. Enhancing the capacity of SMEs in delivery, marketing and promotion of tourism offers involving dark skies; introducing enterprises to accessible immersive technologies (AR, VR).
  2. Technology development of a virtual planetarium, 360-degree photography and star gazing applications, to be shared and adapted across the region
  3. Validation and promotion of Dark Skies tourism as a regional offer across the NPA area, which also serves as means of safeguarding natural assets.

The outcomes will be integrated into existing tourism strategies and offers on natural and cultural heritage. These will enable the enterprises to develop their own green business models. Green business can grow economically and reduce use of resources.  Regions will enhance their overall tourism offer and this is disseminated across the NPA.

The Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme is funding the three-year GLOW2.0 – Green energy technologies for tourism growth development project from 2022 – 2025.

Total Budget: €1,798,328.64

ERDF Funding: €1,366,645.00

Karelia UAS is the project leader as lead partner, and other partners involved in the co-development are PLAKY – Federation of Northern Lapland municipalities from Finland, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, SSNSV – Federation of Regional Authorities NW Iceland, WestBIC and Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Courtesy Mayo Dark Sky Park