Local Action Group

Sumiainen

Hankasalmi Airphotos and layout: JariNet The landscape of our area is shaped by ice age and is based mostly on lakes, forests and fields.

Oulu

Best practices The municipalities of our area have been innovative in creating a good practice of project loan system for non-profit organizations. Loan is interest-free and is used to Leivonmäki ease financial problems during the project. This system facilitates active project operation even for less prosperous associations. Vaasa Kuopio Best ways to activate local people, in our experience, are personal contacts and Joensuu consultations. Our employees have visited hundreds of associations raising awareness of LAG funding and our financing principles. This way we have initiated new active groups to plan and implement different projects. We have also put together a folder Jyväskylä for project workers, which helps them find information about project planning, Mikkeli implementing, terms of payment and legislation. Tampere In co-operation with other LAGs we have been publishing an informational magazine called "Central village net" twice a year. The purpose of this paper is to inform Lahti local people about different projects and to make best practices widely known. It also Turku gives a lot of good publicity for all the LAGs involved. Helsinki MAASEUTUKEHITYS RY c/o Hankasalmen kunta, Keskustie 41, 4150 , Finland www.keskisuomenmaaseutu.info/maaseutukehitys_ry [email protected] Local Rural Development by LAG Financed projects "Maaseutukehitys ry" Maaseutukehitys ry is a local action group in Youth projects including seven municipalities: Joutsa, Luhanka, Leivonmäki, Toivakka, Hankasalmi, Konnevesi and . The Main objectives of youth projects are to activate young population of the region is approximately 20 000 inhabitants. people to participate in rural development processes, to improve living conditions for youth and to increase The LAG was organized into a non-profit association in possibilities for different hobbies. We also want to increase 1997. All of the seven municipalities are participating in enterprising spirit amongst youth. These projects are mainly our LAG as well as local associations, companies and implemented by different youth organizations like local 4H individuals. We are developing the rural areas in co- associations. operation with several other local, regional and national partners. Environmental projects The main objective for rural development action is to create possibilities for comfortable rural living conditions, better Main objectives of environmental projects are to sustain employment and diversity of entrepreneurial activity. and improve local natural and cultural environment. Executed projects are for example landscape planning, v i n c r e a s e e n t erp We have put together a plan of actions with local residence. clearing of bushes or improving the condition of lakes. These projects are mainly executed by village associations outh. This plan is implemented by various local development s projects. or special nature orientated organizations. r rio e projects a Development strategy Village action plans e by different Our theme of development is to improve the quality of life We have been funding action plans for most of the villages l o in our area. We are implementing this theme by developing in our area. Various local development initiatives or ideas the conditions of local companies, associations and are later performed based on these plans. Main objective h a inhabitants. is to create a democratic process of development in which every single person living in the village can participate and Our main objectives be heard. History and culture - to create positive thinking and atmosphere - to improve the quality of life Main objectives are to maintain local history and utilize it - to activate local individuals in different events or marketing, to develop old cultural - to increase democracy in local development events and create new ones. Executed projects are for example writing chronicles, renovating old historical buildings and maintaining old traditions by preserving old ways of Project financing principles working. - planned and implemented on local level - develop local villages Marketing - activate local inhabitants to take part in developing processes Marketing projects are divided into two different categories. - utilize local history and culture Firstly there is marketing for rural way of life and housing, - improve local environment which is mostly implemented by village associations. - create better conditions for local companies Secondly there is common marketing for local products and services, which is carried out by municipalities or by groups of local companies. Marketing for one individual company is not funded.