The transnational project RemoTED, which started at 1st of February 2025, develops and pilots new technology or digital solutions for social and healthcare services in sparsely populated areas in Finland, Ireland, and Iceland.
The project’s goal is to improve digital competence among professionals and develop technological solutions that enhance the accessibility and quality of services.
The results of the preparatory project indicated that in areas with long distances, the digital competence of social and healthcare professionals does not always meet workplace requirements, and the level of digital and technological skills varies significantly. Many professionals feel uncertain about utilizing new technologies, which hinders digitalization progress in the sector. At the same time, service accessibility and the use of technology in remote services remain key challenges in sparsely populated areas.
The RemoTED project (Digital and Technological Social and Healthcare Enhanced Service Delivery in Remote Areas) addresses these challenges by developing ongoing training content and piloting digital innovations in collaboration with local associate partners. The project closely cooperates with local public and private service providers, technology companies, and educational institutions.
According to Hannele Kauppila, Manager of the Future Health Services Expertise Group at Lapland UAS, the preparatory project provided an excellent foundation for the RemoTED project. University’s strategy also emphasizes future services and managing long distances, which the RemoTED project supports, too.
– Working life is changing, which requires new kinds of skills. Long distances — as well as the demographic structure in the social and healthcare sector — pose challenges for service providers, educators, and service users alike. Digital solutions, their use, and digital skills also support service accessibility.
The project is expected to promote the adoption of digital tools in social and healthcare services and increase professionals’ confidence in using technology. Additionally, the training solutions developed within the project will remain available for educational institutions and professionals across the Interreg NPA Program area, even after the project ends, ensuring long-term impact.
Project Information
Digital and Technological Social and Healthcare Enhanced Service Delivery in Remote Areas is a project funded by the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) program
for the period 1.2.2025 – 31.1.2028. Lead by Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Atlantic Technological University (Ireland), and the University of Iceland (Iceland). The total project budget is 1,496,662.20 €, with NPA funding of 972.830,42 €. Finnish partners co-financing source is by The Regional Council of Lapland (Lapin Liitto).
