The Oulujärvi Leader development association
Oulujärvi LEADER comprises an
area of four municipalities, Kajaani, Paltamo, Puolanka and Vaala -located
in the Region of Kainuu and the southern parts of Oulu province. The
municipalities all are located around the Oulujärvi Lake, which is the fouth
largest lake in Finland.
The area comprises a total of
7700 km2, of which 15% are lakes and rivers. 34 000 people
inhabit the region. The whole are, exept the city of Kajaani is very
scaresly populated. During the summer months the population figures rise due
to the fact that there are more than 4000 cottages in the area.
The Oulujärvi LEADER
development association was founded in 1996 and the association has been
involved with rural development and Leader ever since and will also continue
working with Leader in 2007-2013. The tematic emphasis of our
project-activities have changed from one level to the other during the
years. During Leader II the emphasis was on development projects and the
improvement of business environment. During Leader+ the improvement
of the business environment continued, but this time by means of directly
offering financial support to small businesses and thus creating new jobs,
mainly among women in rural areas. The next step will be to strengthen
cooperation between different levels both within our area as well as on
larger scale.
Tourism, the refinement of local products, better services,
the environment, the strengthening of local identities and the development
of computer-competences are our primary projects.
