1. 15 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

2. Village Development in the Lahti Region (Päijät-Häme) 11 municipalities 95 villages + recidential neighbourhoods 70 village associations 54 village development plans realised by numerous local projects 51 websites regional village association and regional village plan

3. 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

4. VILLAGE PLANNING in every level There are ca. 2600 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 50 million € / year. –New lines of action and organisations: cooperatives, multi-service centres etc.

5. 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 e-mail guidance - communications: village bulletin, website, e-mail 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

6. A refreshing and stimulating program with a lot of insight and proposals. FIVE FUTURE WINDOWS

7. 1. DREAM – quality housing, meaningful own countryside 2. COMMUNITY – integration, social and mental security, multicultural activities 3. IMPULS – free participation, culture, environment 4. BUSINESS – creating services in villages, social business, village tourism, local food etc. 5. RURAL VOICE, Rural Proofing, Leader- method, new rural scheme

8. 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

9. 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

10. Annual village promoting event in Lahti harbour in May

11. Selecting the best village of the year

12. 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 Implementing the FIVE FUTURE WINDOWS - strategy

13. 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

14. Thank you for your attention Any questions?