Northern Berries aims to develop and improve cultivation techniques for berries that are native to northern periphery areas, particularly cloudberries. The aim is to increase consumption and use of these native berries by improving growing and handling techniques, and by promoting the positive health attributes of the berries. A number of studies are being carried out across the project area to assess the impact of various climatic and soil conditions, in order to assess optimum growing conditions and seed varieties. A central focus of the project is the sustainable use of nature and the natural heritage of the area. Cloudberry and arctic bramble, for example, only grow in Northern areas and are thus exotic to the rest of the world. The berry products may be marketed with a Northern image of purity and healthiness; however further research is required to develop this potentially important market. Another marked benefit of the project is the renewed use of old peat-lands, helping to overcome some of the problems now being experienced by owners of these peat-lands. This element also helps to develop the important concepts of sustainable care of the environment and sustainable agriculture. Achievements: The implementation model has been followed and milestones have been reached for most planned activities. The network of new associated partners is growing and the project has involved several berry growers associations, such as the Highland Berry Growers Association. A number of positive outcomes have been shown with regard to research on berry conditions and the field tests have highlighted some important developments concerning growing conditions and species of berries. One of the most important of these is the screening of 20 arctic bramble varieties for downy mildew incidence, which has been carried out by the Botanical Garden of the University of Kuopio with complimentary studies being undertaken by the other partners. The project results have been used in several publications and the media has shown a great interest in the project results with several newspaper articles on the project.