Using the Local Nature and Cultural Heritage for Entrepreneurship

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Funder: Central Baltic Programme 2021-2027 - https://centralbaltic.eu/

Programme objective: PO 6 Improved employment opportunities on labour market

The total cost of the project : 637692,00 euros
Union co-financing rate 80%: 510153,60 euros

Project duration: 27 months, duration 1.8.2025 - 31.10.2027

Geographical location of the project: The border areas of Eastern Estonia (Lake Peipsi region) and Finland (South Karelia and Imatra) are facing economic and social problems.

Project webpage: HeritageHunters&Business - Central Baltic.

Project lead partners: Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation

Project manager: Ederi Ojasoo, [email protected]

Partners:

Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation is the lead partner, overseeing project coordination, management, and cross-border collaboration. It brings strong expertise in regional development and cultural heritage and ensures effective implementation across both countries.

University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy develops and delivers the entrepreneurship training program, including curriculum design, mentorship, and outcome assessment, ensuring high-quality and relevant capacity-building activities.

The Municipality of Imatra organizes local activities in Finland, engages stakeholders, and promotes the project regionally, leveraging its local networks and knowledge to ensure strong community impact.

The Finnish Wilderness Heritage Museum Foundation integrates cultural and natural heritage into the project, co-designs training modules, and explores heritage-based entrepreneurial opportunities through its interpretive expertise.

Project aim:

The aim of the project is to to empower young people in the border regions of Imatra (Finland) and northeast Estonia (Lake Peipsi area) by providing entrepreneurship training that leverages local nature and cultural heritage, with the goal of reducing youth unemployment, preventing migration, and fostering sustainable, culturally rooted economic development.

Summary

In the border regions of Imatra (Finland) and northeastern Estonia, youth unemployment rates are significantly higher than national averages, with limited job opportunities and low wages driving young people to leave their communities. This project addresses the lack of employment and self-realization opportunities for young people in these areas. By providing entrepreneurship training to 72 young participants, the project equips them with the skills and resources to start businesses rooted in local nature and cultural heritage. This approach fosters sustainable economic growth, encourages youth to stay in their regions, and helps preserve local identity and traditions.