Ataatsimoorneq (togetherness) is a community-based and cross-sectoral initiative to reduce childhood vulnerability in Greenland. The project focuses on the first 1,000 days of life, a critical window for development, and aims to strengthen collaboration between health and social sectors to support families during this period. Despite existing programs like MANU and Early Intervention, persistent challenges in coordination, cultural relevance remain, and implementation remain.
Purpose
Ataatsimoorneq builds on existing initiatives and local knowledge systems, fostering meaningful relationships among stakeholders. The project is structured around five work packages: (1) establishing the project organization, (2) conducting a literature review on early-life interventions in Indigenous Arctic communities, (3) engaging communities through workshops and sharing circles, (4) facilitating a cross-sectoral task force to co-develop solutions, and (5) evaluating implementation and ensuring sustainability.
Method
The project team includes Paarisa, Allorfik, and the Centre for Public Health in Greenland, supported by community representatives and practitioners. Activities include workshops, exchange visits, and participatory methods such as Art of Hosting and Community-Based Participatory Research. The community component ensures that local voices, including Elders and parents, shape the process and outcomes.
Ataatsimoorneq will produce scientific papers, policy briefs, and creative dissemination formats such as podcasts and visual storytelling. These outputs will be co-created with communities to ensure accessibility and cultural resonance. The project also draws on knowledge-sharing with Arctic Indigenous communities, particularly in Nunavut, to inform culturally grounded strategies. Ultimately, the project aims to create a scalable model for cross-sectoral collaboration rooted in community involvement and connected to Greenlandic values.
Project period
January 2026 to December 2029
Funding and Collaboration
Project group: Paarisa under Naalakkersuisut for Children, Youth and Families, and Allorfik under the Healthcare System
Collaborators: Naalakkersuisut for Health and Persons with Handicap, UNICEF Greenland, Public Health Nurses, Midwives
Novo Nordisk Fonden