Reindeer husbandry and wilderness tourism development project between Northeast Finland and Louhi district
Funded by Interreg II Karelia 1996-1999

Objective of the project

The objective of the project was to conduct a basic investigation in order to revive the reindeer business in the Loukhsky district, with the help of expertise from Koillismaa sub region in Finland. At the time of the application, there was no any reindeer business in the Republic of Karelia, even though there were great natural conditions for that. The reindeer business at the time was concentrated in the Murmansk area in the Kola Peninsula. During the project, the opportunities to develop the reindeer business of the Republic of Karelia by expanding the Koillismaa reindeer business and their marketing were going to be examined. That was going to happen best by establishing a joint company, or other acceptable company form, with the Karelian partners and by renting the pasturing area from the Loukhsky district. The supply of reindeer to the area could have been provided from the Koillismaa or Murmansk area, but at the time of the application additional information was needed. The reviving of the reindeer business could have provided a great economic opportunity for Karelian people to increase their grocery production, as well as creating new jobs both in primary production and in product refinement. In addition, it could have created extra income for the people of Kuusamo. The core personnel of the project was going to need language and culture training as well as conventional practice in order to tighten the cooperation. The personnel of the project was going to need to communicate continually during the process. With the help of the training, the communication and knowledge were going to increase for the project partners and create great basis for future projects.

Main activities

Achievements