The AREAL Programme primarily focuses on knowledge production to support industrial development based on sustainable use of area resources.

The primary target groups of the programme are area-based trade and industry and public authorities in fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture (land farming, horticulture and forestry) and reindeer breeding. The tourist and travel industry is an additional target group under the programme.

The programme has two principal objectives:

Firstly, the programme is to develop knowledge to support area-based and nature-based industrial development and contribute to innovations aimed at achieving increased knowledge, diversity and competitiveness throughout the value chain. The initiatives under the programme are first and foremost intended to contribute to increasing the possibilities of profitable production of goods and services - not least by focusing on costs - as an alternative to the traditional volume productions used in rural and coastal communities.

The programme does not comprise industrial development connected with food production, which comes under the Food Programme and the Aquaculture Programme. Nor does the programme comprise industrial development connected with wood production, which comes under the Wood Programme.

Secondly, the programme is to develop knowledge to support industrial policy, trade policy, area policy and related use of public instruments in fisheries, aquaculture, reindeer breeding and agriculture. In connection with the implementation of this part of the programme, the planning group proposes that a separate reference group be set up with members from the public administration and trade and industry to support the work of the Programme Committee.

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