LSG in Kainuu meet online to discuss the progress of EDIN
ELY Centre Kainuu hosted Local Stakeholder Group (LSG) meeting on February 25. The meeting was held online and attended by stakeholders from Kainuu and a special guest from a project developing remote work model in a neighboring region.
The LSG members, representing six out of eight municipalities forming the Kainuu region, had a fruitful discussion on the added value of exchange of experiences and the next steps in the EDIN project while reviewing the second draft of the regional report that is due to be finalized this semester.
The group also discussed potential topics to be raised as Good Practices (GP) from Kainuu. Availability of broadband in the region has been improved, and fast broad connections are now available in over two thirds of the households. Two of the municipalities are extending the coverage of the optic fibre network to secure stable and fast connections. Another potential GP, successfully applied in Kainuu, is sustainability in tourism as several tourism companies in the region were awarded Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label.
The workcation concept was discussed in the LSG meeting. The concept is still new in Kainuu, but some municipalities have already recognized remote work facilities as an attractive factor for visitors. Remote working amongst nature is highlighted especially in Wild Taiga marketing. “Thank you, EDIN, for the wake-up call. This is perfect timing to bring up workcation concept in our municipality”, said Inka Makkonen, a tourism coordinator from Kuhmo.
The LSG members had a chance to hear and comment a presentation made about the Work and Stay project, that is aiming among other goals at promoting the supply of skilled labour and increasing the number of visitors and new residents in the sparsely populated municipalities of Koillismaa by providing remote work facilities for those while visiting the region.
The EDIN project can learn how to attract DNs to the area by exchanging experiences with other projects like Work & Stay, who are promoting remote work facilities and premises established there for both the local and visiting entrepreneurs and digital workers. Koillismaa and Kainuu share similar characteristics such as opportunities for winter tourism.
Finally, the project team from ELY Centre shared some news on the progress of the EDIN project and the upcoming events scheduled for this spring. Two stakeholders’ representatives decided to take part in the study visit to Tuscany in March. Such opportunities will be offered also to other LSG members during the project lifetime.
The EDIN project activities are seen as an opportunity for sharing new ideas and experiences and finding new ways to promote the region with a particular emphasis on digital workers.