In the spirit of Kalevala
Funded by Interreg II Karelia 1996-1999

Objective of the project

The objective of the project was to develop quality thinking of the SMEs, especially handicraft entrepreneurs, in the Kainuu region and White Sea Karelia through the use of subcontracting services, reorienting education towards entrepreneurship and internationalization of companies in the spirit of Kalevala. Both areas were characterized by a lack of financial resources due to the size of small businesses and lack of cooperation between companies, both in production and marketing activities. The objective of the project was to use the world famous national epic "Kalevala" and thereby create high quality products known in Finland and abroad. The project created an operating model (quality certification), which was designed to develop and maintain high quality and uniqueness of products. The objective of the project was to register an already created brand "in the spirit of Kalevala" and create quality criteria for it. In addition to this, implementation models using Kalevala and providing joint marketing of companies and communities were planned, tested and implemented. In addition, the companies will use subcontractors from Kainuu and Belomorskaya Karelia, which must meet the same quality criteria as the companies themselves. In the future, activities will expand through quality thinking, which will be implemented in educational institutions. In this way, students will be able to experience entrepreneurship by working in companies, and thus the fundamentals of entrepreneurship will become part of the school curriculum.

Main activities

Achievements