Come and hear how rural vitality has been developed in your own municipality and pick up the best tips from elsewhere!
The Network-to-Attraction collaboration project is nearing its end, and at the same time one of the project's most important outputs is being completed: the Smart Village Strategy - From a dreamer of rural migration to a municipal official. The strategy brings together operating models, experiences and lessons learned developed and tested in practice in nine project municipalities between 2024 and 2026 to promote rural migration and strengthen the vitality of rural areas.
Networking is the power of attraction: From dreamer of emigration to citizen webinar
Wednesday, August 19th, 14-16 p.m.
Join using the Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/361417026827318?p=Hls2pJ5IZSbromaQbJ
No pre-registration.
Everyone interested in the development of the municipality and the region is welcome to the event: municipal residents, elected officials, office holders, entrepreneurs, associations and other active actors.
The webinar will cover:
Key contents and uses of the Smart Village strategy
We present the brand new Smart Village strategy: what parts it consists of, how it can be utilized, and what additional materials it contains to support the development of emigration.
MCan municipalities utilize and implement models of rural migration in the development of their own municipality and region?
The project's measures aim to make municipalities an attractive option for those considering emigration and increasingly ready to welcome new residents. Come and get the best practical tips for developing your own municipality. In the completed Smart Village strategy, you will find ready-made instructions for several development measures.
What are the deciding factors in decisions about moving abroad?
The decision to emigrate is not based on a single campaign, but requires awareness, emotional connection and experience to develop. In addition, the decision is strongly influenced by questions about suitable housing and work. In the webinar, we will present the project's results and observations on how these factors affect the decision to emigrate and how the municipality can respond to these through development measures.
Experiences from elsewhere: From the Abandoned Houses Fair event in Kangasniemi
The Abandoned Houses Fair event was held in Kangasniemi in the summer of 2026, where 19 abandoned houses were presented. The event attracted a large number of interested participants and currently seven houses have been sold and two have been rented. Project Manager Elina Piispanen explains from the organizer's perspective how the fair progressed and how we can use their experiences in other municipalities.
The aim of the webinar is to present the strategy developed during the project and encourage municipalities to utilize the developed operating models to promote rural migration in the future. At the same time, we hope that the opportunity will spark new ideas for developing the vitality of the municipality and a discussion about the possibilities of rural migration.
Welcome!
Contact information:
Project Manager Noora-Mari Syväluoma
[email protected]
Project coordinator Noora Elonen
[email protected]
The Network Attraction cooperation project is a joint vitality development project managed by Leader Pohjois-Satakunta of nine municipalities. The participating municipalities are Ikaalinen, Jämijärvi, Kankaanpää, Karvia, Kihniö, Merikarvia, Parkano, Pomarkku and Siikainen. The project period is 1 January 2024 – 31 August 2026. The project is co-financed by the European Union's Rural Development Fund.
Photo: Artturi Kuja-Kanto