Svalbard Package Ready

The Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries has finished the regulations for the temporary subsidy scheme that is to contribute to rebuilding, transforming and developing the Svalbard tourist industry, according to a press release.

The scheme covers a total of NOK 25 million.

“The grant scheme is to rebuild, develop and restructure the tourism activity on Svalbard in a way that contributes to supporting the Svalbard policy objectives. Examples of initiatives that may receive support would be the rebuilding of existing enterprises, infection control measures that allow further activities, changes to operational concepts, shifts towards new segments and strengthening competences”, Minister of Trade and Industry Iselin Nybø (Liberals) says in the press release.

Longyearbyen Local Council has been tasked with managing the grant scheme. Information about how to apply will be posted on the local council’s web pages.

The Ministry states that support up to NOK 1 million may be granted, however, that exceptions may also be made in case of e.g. cooperation projects or projects that to a particularly high extent supports the purpose of the grant scheme.

“The scheme should further contribute to serious tourist industry actors in Svalbard not going bankrupt through its being aimed at actors operating with Norwegian remuneration and work conditions, supporting the Svalbard policy objectives and contributing to a year-round community. The scheme has a broad approach and it will for example be possible for both individual actors, cooperation projects, interest organizations et cetera to receive support through the scheme”, the Ministry writes.

This article was originally published in Norwegian and has been translated by HNN's Elisabeth Bergquist.