10 years developing villages connected with leader-like financing Suomen kylätoiminta ry (SYTY) Village Action association of Finland 19 regional village associations -> common targets, planning for long periods, projects

Village Development in the Lahti Region (Päijät-Häme) 12 municipalities 100 villages + recidential neighbourhoods 64 village associations 51 village development plans realised by numerous local projects 45 websites regional village association and regional village plan

Päijät-Häme Village Association Offers support and expertise in development of villages and village actions Promoter of co- operation between villages, village actors, municipalities and other parties

VILLAGE PLANNING in every level There are ca registered village associations in Finland, 19 regional village associations and the national Village Action Association of Finland (SYTY) VILLAGE PLAN, which village inhabitants have made includes the village’s needs, aims and measures, forms a part of the Municipal Plan REGIONAL VILLAGE PLAN – drawn together from the local village plans forms a part of the regional developing program NATIONAL VILLAGE PROGRAM – is a part of the rural policy program Villages have become active partners and employers. –Extensive project and other development activities. –Project finance to villages 30 million € / year. –New lines of action and organisations: cooperatives, multi-service centres etc.

Päijät-Häme Village Association Implements rural policy to promote vitality of rural areas Influences local, provincial and national village and resident activity Arranges events, village theme days and meetings as well as training and communication activity Makes initiatives, proposals and issue statements to local or regional authorities Offers village agent services: - guidance eg. organising village plans, village visits - telephone and guidance - communications: village bulletin, website, list - assistance in finding partners and giving information about best practices Plans and implements cooperative village development projects; co- operation with Salpaus Further Education regarding provincial village program since 2002

The Päijät-Häme Village Program Social Auditing in a public seminar, accounting period Measurable indicators for the goals Showing to stakeholders the result of the village developing and actions taken

The program is a shared tool for the rural developers, authorities and individuals (done with a wide participation) VISION: villages into positive rotation 1. Good operation methods and new cooperation (in the middle) 2. Safe living, working and enjoying of one’s village 3. Retaining services in villages and making the services more versatile 4. Obtaining new residents to the villages

i 2. Safe living, working and enjoying of one’s village A lot of voluntary work of different associations: Measures to restore village halls, lakes, beach, marina, playgrounds, hiking paths with shelters, sports places, sceneries ect.

New ways to produce local services eg. Multiservice day in Lusi village school Elderly people come to the Lusi Village School once a week to have a lunch and to exercise. Services of the local entrepreneurs are also available, such as massaging and hairdressing. The most refreshing events are the joint events with small school children. The activity started in 2007 –Video in internet!

New inhabitants to the villages: eg. Asikkala: changed the strategy of municipality because of village activity Now: buying land in the villages, region planning, selling building sites

Annual village promoting event in Lahti harbour in May

Selecting the best village of the year

New challenges and visions: The new form of village plans to be a tool for the local democracy as a part of statutory planning Village association to be an official actor in municipalities and to authorities New model of contract: associations take more responsibility (that official actors give them) Collaboration started with other regional associations this year Participation to building up a new regional bottom up strategy, especially with associations (instead of renewing regional village plan)

Restructuring of municipalities and services by the year 2015 Challenges –Financial problems for municipalities –General population is getting older –Concentration in towns, lack of services in the rural areas Opportunities –Inter-municipal cooperation to produce services  The amount of municipalities will be reduced, causing: Changes in democracy: less people will be elected, creating more need for direct democracy -> Municipal centres are going to be villages

Thank you for your attention Any questions?