Sameboat LAG
is an active developer of the archipelago in the Southwest of Finland.  The are consists of 15 municipalities.

The LAG was founded in 1996 to realize the  Leader II -programme and has been engaged in Leader ever since. The LAG is bilingual.
 

Local conditions
The area consists mainly of the sea and the archipelago.The area is around 10 000 km2, the  sea makes up for 8.000 km2. There are around 20.000 islands of which some 150 are inhabited.
Scattered settlements and difficulties in communication are typical traits of the area. There is little traffic crossing the area, for example a trip from Mossala on the Island of Houtskär to the Island of Pettu in Finby will take at least five hours to complete. There are eleven bridges and seven ferries that have to be crossed during the trip.

There are around 30.000 people living in the area, of which 49% are native swedish speakers. Five municipalities are strictly Finnish and the eight Åboland (the swedish region of the archipelago) municipalities have Swedish as majority language. Thea area also has 29.000 seasonal inhabitants and 21.000 recreational cottages. The population has been on the slow decrease, and the level of people in active work age has also decreased. 

Economy
Tourism and other economies in connection with seasonal activities are a key feature in the local economy. The intensity of the summer months are in contrast with the tranquility and stillness of winter

Activities
Åboland boasts a blooming range of social activities, but is in constant need of new active people. The archipelago has a long tradition of cooperation in topics of culture and youth. The unique nature and the environment also make good platforms for trans-national cooperation. 

Tourism is an important area that needs to be developed to its fullest potential in the archipelago.

The Swedish culture foundation is a very important financer of smaller cultural activities and projects in our area, it also provides private funding to EU-financed projects provided that the projects are of interest to the foundation.

The environment in the archipelago is very sensitive and unique.
Our area has one of the largest natural reserves in Finland, the Archipelago national park. 
 

www.sameboat.fi

Small Islands for Survival and Understanding is a cooperation with three partners; Carpe Mare, Whelk Leader and Sameboat LAG.
Youth are a priority in our area. It is important that young people have real opportunities and possibilities to participate in local development.