First Finnish Rural Network focus groups begin

First Finnish Rural Network focus groups begin

The EU’s agricultural policy for 2023–2027 increasingly focuses on climate and environmental measures. Meanwhile, the Finnish Rural Network has chosen strengthening Swedish-language activities as one of its priorities. This emphasis is reflected in the current year’s operations through new focus group activities, for example. The network held an open call for group members, which attracted great interest.

The focus groups will operate for 2024, during which they will meet around four times in face-to-face workshops. In addition to workshops, online meetings may be organised.  The members of the focus groups represent diverse areas of rural development and agriculture from different parts of Finland.

Climate and Environment Focus Group

The task of the Climate and Environment Focus Group is to support and outline the networking activities on the climate and environment side of the Rural Network. Furthermore, the focus group selects the goals and priorities of networking activities and discusses potential means of demonstrating the impact of the climate and environmental projects.

Composition of the Climate and Environment Focus Group:

Coordinator: Salla Ruuska

Members:

Anna Huttunen, Finnish Food Authority

Anna Schulman, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Anne Värilä, Pirkanmaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre)

Christel Holmlund-Norren, Novia University of Applied Sciences

Eija Hagelberg, Baltic Sea Action Group

Harri Hakala, ELY Centre (National Climate Change Unit)

Harri Mäkivuokko, ProAgria

Henri Niiranen, Leader Länsi-Saimaa local action group

Jari Rouvinen, Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) North Karelia

Maarit Liimatainen, Natural Resources Institute Finland

Maija Suutarinen, Hakamaa sheep farm

Nora Backlund, Association of Rural Advisory Centres (SLF) (Sustainability Week)

Roman Gokkoev, Regional Council of Kainuu

Sari Iivonen, Natural Resources Institute Finland

Silja Ngobese, Valonia

Thomas Björklöf, Skriks Gård farm

Swedish-language Cooperation Focus Group

The purpose of the Swedish-language Cooperation Focus Group is to support and prepare guidelines for the Rural Network’s networking in Swedish. The focus group also selects the goals and priorities of networking activities and discusses potential impactful projects from a Swedish-speaking standpoint.

Composition of the Swedish-language Cooperation Focus Group

Coordinator: Ann-Sofi Backgen

Members:

Carina Storhannus, Business Kristinestad

Anette Vihanto, Leader Action Group SILMU

Anne Antman, Baltic Sea Action Group

Irene Vänninen, Natural Resources Institute Finland

Alf-Håkan Romar, Association of Rural Advisory Centres (SLF)

Janika Granlund, Ostrobothnia ELY Centre

Henrik Ingo, Federation of Swedish Municipalities in Ostrobothnia for Education and Culture

Mathias Högbacka, Aktion Österbotten local action group

Mari Lappalainen, ELY Centre (National Climate Change Unit)

Anne Paadar, South Ostrobothnia ELY Centre

Kenneth Nordberg, Åbo Akademi University

Kai Alajoki, Southwest Finland ELY Centre

Leif Franzell, Ålands landskaps regering

Johnny Kronqvist, Pedersöre/YTA

Enquiries:

For more information on the Climate and Environment Focus Group applications and activities, please contact Salla Ruuska, Climate and Environment Coordinator of the Rural Network Unit.

salla.ruuska(at)ruokavirasto.fi, tel. +358 50 323 8946

For more information on cooperation in Swedish and the focus group activities, please contact Ann-Sofi Backgren, Swedish-language Network Coordinator of the Rural Network Unit.

ann-sofi.backgren(at)ruokavirasto.fi, tel. +358 503 241 318