Turið Jacobsen backs part-time settlement on outer islands

People with roots on the outer islands should be able to help their communities thrive without living there permanently, Turið Jacobsen says. Jacobsen, who moved away from Svínoy 49 years ago but visits often, shared her view with KVF.

Jacobsen is an occupational therapist and a researcher in assistive technology services. She lives in Argir and took part in a conference on the outer islands in Klaksvík over the weekend.

Population numbers on the outer islands continue to fall, and reversing the trend appears difficult. A panel discussion on Sunday at Rótin, a household school, considered whether contributions from people with ties to the islands could be the next-best option when it is hard to attract permanent residents. That could include people who are from the islands or own homes there.

Jacobsen supports that approach and says it should be easier for families to settle on an outer island for part of their lives.