Participatory process in preparation of Regional Strategy

Participatory approach in preparing the regional programme is crucial: Regional Council cooperates with different administrative sectors, organizations, business life and inhabitants. Participation process strengthens the communication, activities across sectoral and regional borders and connections between different national and EU programmes like ESF, Leader etc..
Working groups of the regional strategic programme have 358 members and they are quadruple helix based and geographically balanced. Groups are divided in Thematic Groups (5) and Expert Groups (8). Tasks of groups are identical but Thematic Groups are led by politicians representing different parties, different levels (national, regional and local) and different locations of North Karelia. Working groups monitor and guide the development and implementation of regional strategy. The statistical indicators and objectives are monitored in the annual implementation plan of the regional programme. Business indicators are presented in the semi-annual Economic Review Trendit (Trends). In addition to working groups, everyone who is interested can express her/his opinion about draft and implementation of regional strategy in the beginning of regional strategy work. The draft is presented in regional council’ webpage.
The stakeholders are municipalities, government authorities, Joint municipal authority for North Karelia social and health services, development and educational organisations,business and industry.