CASPER Project Meeting in Savonlinna, Finland
This blog post is also available in: Polish.
On June 5-7th 2023, the CASPER project consortium met face-to-face for the first time in Savonlinna, Finland. The event brought together our five regional partners and stakeholders from the Municipality of Nagyatád, Savonlinna Development Services and more.
Experience our vivid experience and watch us in action in our meeting video!
An introduction to five regions
The five participating regions—South Savo (Finland), Podlaskie (Poland), Basilicata (Italy), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France), and Somogy (Hungary)—kicked off the gathering by presenting their regional demographics, highlighting the challenges they face in combating rural decline and showcasing their existing initiatives.
To stimulate innovative thinking, we engaged in a variety of workshop techniques, including roundtable discussions, lightning decision jams, and world café. These discussions served a dual purpose. Firstly, they provided a dedicated space and time for our partners to delve into crucial questions, such as establishing a shared understanding of "integrated territorial development" within our consortium and identifying unconventional local stakeholders to involve in our workshops. Secondly, they equipped our partners with the necessary tools and insights to conduct their own local stakeholder workshops.
Unveiling the rural allure of South Savo: Spotlight on Savonlinna, Sulkava, and Puumala
CASPER firmly believes that rural areas can flourish and attract residents by embracing their regional identity and enhancing the indicators of quality of life, instead of solely pursuing growth-oriented strategies.
During our site visits, our partners had the privilege of engaging directly with the mayors of Puumala and Sulkava, two charming municipalities in South Savo. They experienced first-hand the elements that contribute to these regions' unique identities, such as the Pistohiekka resorts and the revered tradition of Sulkava church boat rowing. Furthermore, our workshops took place at culturally and operationally significant sites in Savonlinna, including the Savonlinna City Council, Savonlinna Museum, and the XAMK campus (South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences).
What’s next
In the coming months, our partners will organize their own local stakeholder workshops, leveraging the inspiration and knowledge gained from our gathering in Savonlinna. They will facilitate the transfer of valuable insights from our interregional exchange to the grassroots level in their respective regions. The initial focus of these workshops will be to assess the current situation and expand stakeholder engagement, setting the stage for an exciting journey of progress and collaboration.