POKAT2021 Regional Strategic Programme – success stories and good practices Contents INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................3 1 VITALITY FROM REGIONAL NETWORKING – A COMPETITIVE AND ATTRACTIVE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT...............................4 1.1 Accessibility, the transport system, and connections........4 1.2 National and international networks...................................8 1.3 Utilising the advantages provided by the region’s proximity to Russia.....................................................................9 2 GROWTH FROM RENEWAL – A DIVERSE, SUSTAINABLE AND JOB-FRIENDLY ECONOMIC STRUCTURE..........................................11 2.1 Forest bioeconomy...............................................................11 2.2 Technology industry.......................................................12 2.3 Stone processing and mining.............................................13 POKAT2021 Regional Strategic Programme 2.4 Tourism.............................................................................14 – success stories and good 2.5 Food....................................................................................15 2.6 Smart specialisation.............................................................16 3 WELL-BEING FROM PARTNERSHIPS – COMFORTABLE LIVING......17 Regiona Council of North Karelia Pielisjoen linna, Siltakatu 2 3.1 Education and competence................................................17 FI-80100 JOENSUU 3.2 Well-being and inclusion..................................................18 3.3 Culture and identity........................................................21 Tel. +358 13 337 4700 3.4 Creative fields.....................................................................22 [email protected] www.pohjois-karjala.fi/english 4 OVERARCHING THEMES OF THE POKAT REGIONAL STRATEGIC PROGRAMME....................................................................23 4.1 Security................................................................................23 Layout Laura Jussila INTRODUCTION For the past few years, the Action Plan for the North Karelia Regional Strategic Programme POKAT2021 has included a selection of good practises of its implementation. This has been very well received very and therefore a separate publication of the best practises was to be prepared. The good practices in this publication were chosen by the working groups of each focus ar- eas of the Regional Strategic Programme POKAT2021. These working groups consist of to- tal of 244 experts from various fields. The groups were free to choose the good practices that each wished to highlight, so that the diversity of the paths involved in the implemen- tation of the Regional Strategic Programme would be visible. The following good practices represent individual projects, events, business development measures as well as more long- term development paths. These good practices have been divided accordingly with the fo- cus areas of the POKAT2021 Regional Strategic Programme. The texts do not present a comprehensive overview of every single good action implement- ing the Regional Strategic Programme, but rather a snapshot that will be updated annually. This snapshot will be utilised in communication and lobbying, and it will also provide a vital contribution to the monitoring activities of the Regional Strategic Programme. Joensuu, Finland, 10 October 2019 Pia Pitkänen Regional Development Expert Regional Council of North Karelia Photo: Jarno Artika 3 1 VITALITY FROM REGIONAL NETWORKING – A COMPETITIVE AND ATTRACTIVE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT 1.1. Accessibility, the transport system, and connections Salpakankaankatu interchange, Joensuu Text: Jyrki Suorsa, Traffic and Transport Expert, Regional Council of North Karelia Photo : Jarno Artika The preparation work for the Salpakankaankatu interchange in Joensuu was initiated in March 2017, and the work started in the beginning of April 2017. The project was completed in November 2018. Main road 6 is a significant road that crosses the length of Finland from Kajaani to Lappeenranta, and it is part of the international TEN-T network of roads and main roads. The purpose of the interchange was to improve the transport flow and safety of the Raatekangas interchange on main road 6 and to decrease the amount of traffic that crossed the main road as well as any related accidents. In addition, the main streets in the area were improved to correspond to the predicted increase in traffic density. As a result of the project, the flow and safety of pedestrian and bicycle traffic were improved in connection with the main road as well as with- in the street network. The Transport System Group of North Karelia (Pokat transport group) helped promote the implementation of the project. In the letter of intent for the implementation and promotion of the development measures used for the transport system of North Karelia for 2012–2015, the project was highlighted as a vital road pro- ject for the entire region, and the project has been considered as one of the top annual spearhead projects in the North Karelia region. This project was a good example of how long-term lobbying efforts and a commit- ment to the promotion of the implementation of jointly agreed projects is the best way to achieve results. 4 Fast broadband connections to Ilomantsi – the construction of the Ilonet network was a carefully planned process, right down to its financing Text: Markku Lappalainen, CEO, Ilonet Oy Photos: Esa Huurreoksa Ilomantsi is one of the least densely populated areas in Finland (2018: 4,973 inhabitants, 1.8 inhabitants per km2), which does not make it an attractive area for market-based servic- es. In 2012, the Municipality of Ilomantsi initiated a project for the construction of a broad- band network that would span every part of the entire municipality that was inhabited by people according to the domicile register. The municipal council approved a plan for the construction of a fibre network in the munic- ipal region of Ilomantsi on 12 November 2012. The plan served as the basis for a propos- al to establish a business entity as well as a preliminary route map. The starting point was that, irrespective of where one lived, a connection would be provided at the same price to all those who participated in the initial campaign. The campaign price of a subscription was set at 100 euros per subscription with a month- ly fee of 45 euros. To use the internet and watch TV, subscribers would need to purchase a terminal device and TV box for a combined price of 300 euros during the campaign. After the financing, loan negotiation and tendering processes were completed, the construction of the network was initiated in spring 2013. The first connection was opened in the gener- al store of Haukivaara in spring 2014. The hundred-megabit project helped kick-start the process The preparatory phase of the project utilised the Hundred-megabit Eastern and North- ern Finland project, which was implemented in part by the Association for Rural Culture and Education, as well as the Broadband to North Karelia project, which arranged commu- nity outreach events for municipal residents and surveyed prospective broadband users. The Hundred-megabit Eastern and Northern Finland project was managed by the Region- al Council of North Karelia (2011–2015) and implemented in regions of Lapland, Kainuu, North Karelia and North Ostrobothnia. The project was financed by the European Agricul- tural Fund for Rural Development. Local construction expertise Oy Cap-Net Finland Ab/ Ari Hakulinen was chosen as the project’s expert partner. Johan- na Räty Oy/ Johanna Räty was selected as the coordinator of the project. In addition, Tais- 5 to Volotinen worked as a part-time “optical fibre expert”, and his task was to draft the ca- A steady platform for future growth ble placement agreements with land owners and serve as a subscription salesman. The Ilonet Oy’s financials have been built on a solid foundation. This has been achieved with a route plan was created by Keypro Oy. Viestra Oy was selected as the project’s excavation well-planned and executed fibre installation process that was done for a smaller cost than and optical fibre placement operator. JPM Cyber Service Oy was chosen as the operator to what was projected, the Municipality of Ilomantsi’s significant reserve for invested non-re- extend and finalise the land cables and provide the necessary installation work for all sub- stricted equity and municipal shares, the support of the Finnish Communications Regulatory scriber devices. Both agreements spanned the entire duration of the construction project, Authority, the aid provided for the village networks, and the small overheads of the service. i.e. to the end of 2016. The company was required to take on a debt that, when we take the project’s bridge loans The chosen operator for the service was Telekarelia, but when Elisa ja Telekarelia merged at into account, amounted to over 5 million euros between 2015–2017. Currently, the share the end of 2014, Elisa became the operator. However, during the following year, the project of outside capital amounts to only around 1.8 million euros. The company’s financing bank switched its operational services to Kaisanet Oy. At the beginning of November 2018, Ilonet is Vaara-Karjalan Osuuspankki, which during the project’s construction phase operated un- Oy signed an operator and maintenance service agreement with Netplaza Oy.