Island Communities’ Viability in the Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russian Arctic: The Role of Livelihoods and Social Capital

Annotation

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, local communities have been adapting to new political and socioeconomic realities. These changes have prompted dramatic outmigration among rural populations, especially in the Russian Arctic. Despite these changes, some communities remain viable, with some residents exploring new economic opportunities. This study uses findings from qualitative interviews to understand what factors shape community viability, interviewing residents and relevant regional stakeholders in two case areas in the Arkhangelsk oblast: the Solovetsky Archipelago in the White Sea and islands in the delta of the Northern Dvina River. The results indicate that community viability and the reluctance of community members to leave their traditional settlements are shaped by livelihoods, employment opportunities, and social capital. Social capital is characterized by such empirically identified factors as shared perceptions of change and a willingness to address changes, place attachment, and local values. We conclude that further development or enhancement of community viability and support for local livelihoods also depends on 1) bottom-up initiatives of engaged individuals and their access to economic support and 2) top-down investments that contribute to local value creation and employment opportunities.

About authors

Julia OLSEN, senior researcher 
Nordland Research Institute and Nord University, Bodø, Norway

Marina V. NENASHEVA, Cand. Sci. (Phil.), associate professor 
Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Arkhangelsk, Russia

Grete K. HOVELSRUD, professor 
Nord University and Nordland Research Institute, Bodø, Norway

Gjermund WOLLAN, associate professor 
Nord University, Bodø, Norway

Keywords

Arctic, Arkhangelsk oblast, community viability, livelihoods, social capital

DOI

10.37482/issn2221-2698.2021.42.13

UDC

[364-785.14:332.012.23](470.11)(045)