Lohkanlihkku is a three-year Interreg Aurora development project. The aim of the project is to strengthen the situation of Sámi language early education and to create a literacy learning game, Lohkanlihkku, in five Sámi languages. In addition, communication and school involvement play a central role in the project. Lohkanlihkku is North Sámi and means the joy of reading.


A major challenge in Sámi language education has long been the lack of teaching materials. Teachers often need to create learning materials themselves or use outdated ones. Lohkanlihkku aims to address this need. The goal of the project is to develop a digital learning game in five Sámi languages to promote and strengthen children’s reading and writing skills. The project also supports the teaching of Sámi language literacy.


The Lohkanlihkku game will be developed based on the Graphoearn game. GraphoLearn has been widely researched, and through its functionality, it is possible to gain insights into a child’s individual progress of learning reading and writing. The game adapts the exercises according to the child’s individual needs. Lohkanlihkku will be free to download and available for both tablets and mobile devices. The project languages are Inari Sámi, North Sámi, Lule Sámi, South Sámi, and Skolt Sámi.


Lohkanlihkku invites Sámi language teachers, pupils, parents, and community stakeholders to actively participate in the development process and to ensure that the game highlights the authenticity of Sámi culture and education. The project will also offer training and workshops for schools and teachers.


The project partners are the University of Lapland, the University of Jyväskylä, Umeå University, and Sámi University of Applied Sciences. The project is led by Professor Pigga Keskitalo from the University of Lapland. The project is funded by Interreg Aurora. National funding for the University of Lapland and the University of Jyväskylä comes from the Regional Council of Lapland. The Norwegian partners are funded by Interreg Aurora, and additionally by the Sámi Parliament in Norway, the Barents Secretariat, Troms County Administration, and the Sámi University of Applied Sciences.

Project work packages:

1. Strengthening Sámi language early education and teaching methods
The first work package aims to enhance the situation and methodologies of Sámi language literacy education. Through teacher interviews, the team collects information about early education practices and literacy teaching methods. This knowledge will guide the development of the game for Sámi language learning needs.

2. Developing the game for five Sámi languages
The second work package focuses on integrating content suitable for Sámi languages and Sámi culture. Sámi culture will be represented in the game not only through language but also through visual elements and music. Workshops and pilot testing will be used to examine how the game functions in education and what expectations the community has for cultural content. The project team will also develop thorough guidebooks for game use as well as adapting a learning into Sámi languages and culture.

3. Dissemination and release of Lohkanlihkku game
The project team actively documents and communicates all project activities. Webinars, workshops, and meetings will be organized. Scientific articles and reports will also be published about the project alongside of a manuscript documenting all project work and outcomes. Lohkanlihkku game will be released to be freely downloadable.

Interreg Aurora

Social, ecologic and economic sustainable developement is an overall goal for Interreg Aurora program. All projects funded by Interreg Aurora must works towards the sustanainable developement goals of United Nations.

Lohkanlihkku -project works foremost towards these goals.

4 - Quality Education
8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
10 Reduced Inequalities
16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Interreg Aurora -project webpage

Interreg Aurora

Social, ecologic and economic sustainable developement is an overall goal for Interreg Aurora program. All projects funded by Interreg Aurora must works towards the sustanainable developement goals of United Nations.

Lohkanlihkku -project works foremost towards these goals.

4 - Quality Education
8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
10 Reduced Inequalities
16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Interreg Aurora -project webpage