RESILIENT COMMUNITIES: LESSONS FROM FINLAND'S SOUTH SAVO
BUILDING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES IN SHRINKING REGIONS: INSIGHTS FROM FINLAND’S SOUTH SAVO
South Savo’s Pioneering Approach to Citizen Activation
In the face of shrinking populations and reduced services, Finland’s South Savo region is addressing these challenges head-on through innovative citizen engagement. The CASPER project (Citizen Activation in Shrinking Rural Areas for Place-Based Policies to Enhance Resilience) is setting a benchmark for tackling rural decline by empowering residents to co-create solutions tailored to local needs.
Speaking recently at the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform webinar on citizen science, Jatta Juhola, CASPER’s project coordinator, shared valuable insights into how the initiative is transforming regional policymaking. She emphasized that involving citizens is not only key to designing better policies but also to fostering a sense of community ownership and resilience.
The Challenge of Shrinking Regions
Rural areas across Europe face a common issue: as populations decline, services are scaled back, which in turn fuels further outmigration. This creates a cycle of decline that leaves entire regions struggling to maintain their vitality. South Savo, with its picturesque landscapes and cultural heritage, is flipping the script by actively engaging its citizens in crafting innovative, place-based solutions.
Engaging Citizens through Service Design
CASPER employs service design workshops to gather diverse perspectives and transform them into actionable solutions. With the help of professional service designers, residents brainstorm and prototype ideas to address local challenges. This approach blends creativity with practicality, enabling meaningful participation from all stakeholders.
Innovative Projects in Action
- Sulkava Municipality: Residents were invited to design services for a new communal space. Using fictional archetypes, such as families or elderly residents, participants mapped out what the space could offer to meet diverse needs.
- Rantasalmi Municipality: In a branding exercise, participants envisioned how their town could attract visitors and new residents. By imagining a tourist’s journey, they identified unique local strengths and opportunities to enhance the area’s appeal.
These workshops not only produced actionable ideas but also fostered a sense of pride and ownership among participants.
Inclusivity and Outreach
The CASPER project prioritizes inclusivity, ensuring that even marginalized voices are heard. Targeted questionnaires were used to engage underrepresented groups, such as immigrants, and municipalities played a key role in reaching local associations and residents. This multi-channel approach has proven effective in creating a more representative dialogue.
Keys to Success
- Effective Communication: Regular updates and feedback loops ensure that citizens see the impact of their contributions, building trust and encouraging continued participation.
- Collaborative Networks: Partnerships with municipalities and local organizations have been essential for reaching the right audiences.
- Playful Tools: Interactive methods, such as LEGO models and imaginative exercises, have unlocked creativity and made participation enjoyable for all age groups.
Lessons Learned
One of the key lessons Jatta highlighted during the webinar was the importance of local partnerships. Early attempts to engage residents from the regional level alone were less effective. By working closely with municipalities and using their existing networks, the project significantly boosted participation and engagement.
A Model for Resilient Communities
The CASPER project demonstrates that shrinking regions can overcome challenges by involving citizens as active participants in policymaking. South Savo is not only addressing current challenges but also laying the groundwork for a more resilient, vibrant future. Its success underscores the value of collaboration, inclusivity, and creative engagement in driving regional development.
By turning demographic challenges into opportunities for innovation, South Savo offers a blueprint for other rural regions across Europe to follow.