Finland’s long-term rural development work showcased at international conference in Kotka

The Rural Pact Policy Action Lab brought about 100 international visitors to Kotka. The participants were rural researchers, members of interest groups representing rural communities and businesses, and public officials from the Government ministries and European Commission.

In the discussions solutions were sought to support diverse rural livelihoods and improve the attractiveness of rural regions, especially in terms of skilled labour. A key focus was on identifying concrete measures, investments and reforms to be used in the preparation of the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs). 

The event was opened by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Pekka Pesonen and Deputy Director General of DG Agri Pierre Bascou.

“The future of Europe is not shaped only in its capitals and metropolitan areas. It is also being shaped in villages, forests, farms and small towns. By investing in the rural areas we are also investing in Europe’s competitiveness, crisis resilience and security,” Permanent Secretary Pekka Pesonen said in his opening address. 

Hugo Almeida, Deputy Head of Unit for Rural Areas and Networks of DG AGRI, spoke about the preparations for the next funding period and Teemu Makkonen, Professor of Regional Studies and Economic Geography at the University of Eastern Finland, explored the development of rural areas from the perspective of Finnish research. 

He pointed out that rural research must be place-based and identify the diversity of rural regions: what works in one region may not be readily applicable elsewhere.

The event was the first Policy Action Lab that took place at the EU’s eastern border. The about 100 participants were selected from among 270 people who had expressed their interest in the event.