NORTH KARELIA – MODERN, SPARSELY POPULATED REGION (8 inh./km2) eRegio project – Regional Council of North Karelia The easternmost region of the EU Competitiveness, employment (Phasing in) region (2007-2013) A common border of 300 km with Russia Population 166 500 ( FIN 3,2 %) 21 000 km2, (8 inh./km2) 14 municipalities North Karelia is the easternmost region of EU. Region belongs to the obj. 1 target area, which means that we have at least till the end of next year the highest structural EU funding per capita in Europe. We have a common border with Russia. Population is 169.000 that is 3,2 % out of total Finland. Population is estimated to decrease in the near future. Region is one of the 19 regions of Finland and is best known as a region of forests, because we have the highest knowhow of wood and forest technology. EFI has its mainoffice is in town Joensuu. The Regional Council of North Karelia is a public regional authority in accordance with the Regional Development Act (national law). The areas of responsibility of the Regional Council includes: economic development, regional planning, safeguarding of regional interests and creation of the knowledge infrastructure. The Regional Council of North Karelia is a federation owned by the region’s 16 municipalities. The goal of the Regional Council of North Karelia is to promote regional development initiatives, the regional balance in co-operation with the State and the local government, businesses, universities, research institutes and non-governmental organisations. The Regional Council of North Karelia is the authority responsible for co-ordination and management of the regional funds, Objective 1 programmes. It also has own transnational projects such as Euregio Karelia. 18.1.2019 eRegio / North Karelia / Jarmo Heiskanen, RegioStars2010 Award 1

BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROCESS in NORTH KARELIA 2003 First National broadband strategy was set in Finland Target: Broadband for all Regional authorities were responsible of implementations and actions 2003 Regional broadband strategy formulation started in North Karelia Research report of broadband availability and coverage in the region Recommendations and action plan for investments and improvements on broadband availability Proposals and actions raised during the process to boost the process Preparations for the implementations of the strategy with municipalities and regional authority (funding) started First thing was to get the municipalities involved and interested in the local level 18.1.2019 eRegio / North Karelia / Jarmo Heiskanen, RegioStars2010 Award

BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROCESS in NORTH KARELIA 2004 – 2008 eRegio project Co-ordinative project, nationally financed, one aim was broadband Give expertise for municipalities in planning the investment projects Co-ordination and support for 16 municipalities in a joint, aggregated broadband buy-up for municipalities Public call for offers, competitions and procurement processes started in each municipality to build broadband infrastructure in rural areas (with the assistant and expertise of eRegio project co-ordination) ERDF – Regional finance support was reserved for investments More than 150 new villages were covered by broadband 50 antennas and a lot of dsl boxes were built in the region 18.1.2019 eRegio / North Karelia / Jarmo Heiskanen, RegioStars2010 Award

BROADBAND COVERAGE 2004-2008 74 % 98 % 18.1.2019 eRegio / North Karelia / Jarmo Heiskanen, RegioStars2010 Award

BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROCESS FOLLOW UP in NORTH KARELIA 2008 Second National broadband strategy was set in Finland; 100 MB broadband for all 2015 Regional authorities are responsible of implementations Target: next generation access by fibre optics network availability for all 2009 Regional authorities activities formulation of an action plan and investment plan for high speed broadband availability in rural areas where the market failure exists 2010-2015 North Karelia is leading a national project in Eastern and Northern Finland (5 regions) to implement the regional plans based on fibre optic network investments support municipalities, regions to reach the target 100 MB for all in rural areas where market failure exists 18.1.2019 eRegio / North Karelia / Jarmo Heiskanen, RegioStars2010 Award