Making the Koillismaa and the Eastern Border Better Recognised
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The goal of the project was to make Northeast Finland and the Louhi region better known so that the products and services from the area could be sold more efficiently both domestically and internationally. This conspicuousness was hoped to bring more customers and travellers, which would secure existing jobs and enable new job openings.

Main activities

• Producing material for implementing and supporting regional marketing through companies and municipalities, • Photographing the significant characteristics of the region during the various seasons such as the most important events in the municipalities and the products and services of companies, • Production of Internet publication, a multimedia presentation, and a DVD presentation based on the photographs, • Distribution of the produced material to for example, foreign travel agents and the media and its use in various events.

Achievements

Material was produced in the project for implementing and supporting regional marketing through companies and municipalities. The project was started by photographing the significant characteristics of the region during the various seasons. These included the most important events in the municipalities and the products and services of companies. The photographed material was used to create, for example, an Internet publication, a multimedia presentation, and a DVD presentation. The material was distributed to, for example, foreign travel agents and the media and it was used in different types of events and given as gifts. The feedback received regarding the material has been indicative of its high quality, and the successful circulation to various target groups in Finland and abroad has demonstrated its effect. The development of the Koillismaa and eastern border region and its business activity has been successfully publicised, and everyone has benefited from the shared publicity. Several new contacts were also made during the project. The project content successfully met the needs of companies to present their products and services collectively. In fact, the number of companies committed to the project was twice as great as planned. Especially the partners in the Louhi district found the project commendable. Refining the project’s results and their effective future utilisation was seen as necessary. Consequently, projects have been completed in the area that could be seen as continuing this work; for example, the ‘Tourism Development Corridor Between Northeastern Finland and Northwestern Russia’ project over the 2002-2005 period and the ’Product Creation for Marketing Valkeatie Tourism’ during the years 2005–2007.