Policy Brief 6: Arctic Governance Insititutions as Enablers and Barriers for Justice

This policy brief looks at the various institutions involved in governing the Arctic—like bodies, forums, and organizations. It focuses on their structure, how inclusive and transparent they are, and how well they let different people take part. Rather than discussing their policies, it highlights how these institutions work and whether they help or hinder justice-related issues identified in the JUSTNORTH case studies. Many Arctic institutions operate separately, making it hard for people to use them to pursue justice. However, they seem more open to Indigenous participation compared to global standards, and Indigenous Peoples in the Arctic have strong public bodies and volunteer groups. EU institutions are seen as inviting Arctic stakeholders but are also viewed as complex and hard to access when it comes to making actual decisions. Involving young people in the analyzed institutions is a major challenge.