The project titled Online Tools for Inari Saami and Ume Saami Language Learning is part of the Interreg Aurora programme under the theme of education and lifelong learning. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Inari Saami Language Association (Anarâškielâ servi r.y.) in Finland and the Ume Saami Language Association (Álgguogåhtie) in Sweden. Its primary goal is to develop openly accessible online tools and resources to support and revitalize the endangered Inari Saami and Ume Saami languages, both of which currently lack adequate digital support.

Inari Saami faces particular challenges due to the absence of diacritic symbols in existing digital tools. These symbols are essential for accurate word inflection and dictionary orthography. Ume Saami, meanwhile, lacks comprehensive online tools altogether. Existing resources are insufficient and cannot easily be adapted to include the necessary linguistic features. This project proposes to build a shared technical platform and linguistic model to support both languages through an innovative suite of tools, including e-dictionaries and word inflectors.

The project emphasizes the importance of cross-border cooperation, as both language communities face similar challenges and have limited resources. Collaboration allows for the pooling of expertise and ensures that the tools developed are robust and applicable in both contexts. The lead partner, Anarâškielâ servi, is responsible for overall coordination, technical implementation, and linguistic work for Inari Saami. Álgguogåhtie will coordinate the Ume Saami work and lead corpus creation, the transcription of historical recordings, and the development of learning materials.

The tools and materials will be made freely available to a wide audience, including students, teachers, academics, elders, and businesses. This approach ensures equal access and caters to users at various proficiency levels. Sustainability is addressed through a clear exit strategy. All software will follow modern IT standards and be released as open source, with detailed documentation to support future contributions.

The project consists of multiple work packages, including the development of the central tool, linguistic research, corpus creation, and the production of inflection tables and writers’ guides. It also includes an annual Saami language technology conference to foster community engagement and share progress.

The total budget amounts to €705,600, with €458,640 requested in EU support, representing 65 percent of the total costs. The remaining costs will be covered through public and private co-financing from Finland (Regional Council of Lapland) and Sweden (Västerbotten County and Norrbotten County).

The project is scheduled to run from September 2025 to August 2028. During this three-year period, the team will work step by step to develop the tools and materials. In the first phase, they will focus on building the technical foundation and collecting language data. This will be followed by the creation of the actual tools—such as the online dictionary and word inflector—and testing them with schools and language learners. Teaching materials and printed guides will be developed alongside the tools.

By the end of the project, key tools will be available online. These are expected to enhance language learning, preserve cultural heritage, and provide a model for revitalizing other smaller Saami languages. The project also lays the foundation for future developments, including tools for automated sentence analysis with diacritic support.