Demographic decline in
rural areas – The case of
North Karelia:
Strategies, innovative projects and
the role of public, private and third
sector
Galicia 26.9.2013
Risto Poutiainen, Director
Regional development and planning
Regional Council of North Karelia
North Karelia
Region
 population 166.000
 territory 21.585km2
 water 3.803 km2
 13 municipalities
 Regional centre :
Joensuu
65 years and over in 2003 and 2020
65 years
and over
in 2003
65- vuotta
täyttäneet
2003
65 years65and
over
in 20202020
vuotta
täyttäneet
Whole country
Koko22.8
maa 22,8
%%
Whole country
Koko maa 15,6 %
15.6 %
väestöstä
%%of
pop.
väestöstä
%%of
pop.
11,2 - 19,9 (42)
20,0 - 29,9 (240)
30,0 - 39,9 (161)
40,0 - 42,3
(1)
6,0 - 9,9 (14)
10,0 - 19,9 (221)
20,0 - 29,9 (207)
30,0 - 32,4
(2)
Lähde: Tilastokeskus
29.9.2004/RK
Lähde: Tilastokeskuksen
väestöennuste 2004
29.9.2004/RK
Karttapohja©Genimap Oy
Karttapohja©Genimap Oy
3 200
Source: Statistics Finland
Urban – Rural Classification
National Rural Policy 2014 – 2020 –
Thematic Priorities
1. Housing and Services 4. Business and know how
Housing and living
Accessibility to services
2.
Participation
Local demogracy
Local development
3. Infrastructure
State of roads …
Transport services
Broadband
Planning and building
Entrepreneurship
Local food production
Availability of labour force
Education
5. Ecosystemservices
Natural biodiversity
Green economy and growth
Ekological sustainability
Renewable energyproduction
Environment (nature, culture)
Age Challenge - Age structure 2030
Source: Population projection by Statistics Finland 2012
Regional Strategies – for Welfare
Regional plan 2030
Regional development plan
2014
North Karelia welfare
programme and other subprogrammes
North Karelia age-related
knowledge
Local ageing strategies
Regional Development Programme 2014
8 clusters and ”clusterProgrammes”
Case 1: Bioenergy
Case 2: Mining and stone
industry
Case 3: Welfare
CASE 1 – Target: Oil-Free Region
 A model area of using
renewables
 New technologies, R & D
 Investments (Oil out of
Wood)
CASE 2 - Mining and Stone Industry
 Five new Gold Mines to
Ilomantsi (Karelian Gold
Line)
 Kylylahti Copper
 Stone industry…
CASE 3 - North Karelian Welfare Programme
Healthy
Comfortable
and safe
Active and
involved
Customer
orientated and
economically
viable
High level and
networked
Welfare in North Karelia
•Health, quality of life, wellbeing
•Cooperation, know-how and innovations
in service production
Population
Residential
environment
Citizen
Services
Expertise
Demographic Change/ Age-dependent Services
Emphasis on:
 Improved cooperation
between public, private
and third sector
 New effective
models/areas of providing
services
 eServices, new housing
models….
 Business opportunities
(growth programmes)
Positive Ageing - Examples
Preventive work and early support
- Centre for the Aged ”Ellinkulma”
- Ageing clinic Ruori
- IMMO – multisectoral collaboration
( to develop service campuses)
New housing solutions
- Senioripiha, a welfare centre for
the elderly in the city of Joensuu
- ”Kotkontu” a welfare centre for the
elderly in the town of Kitee
Inspired work with the aged
- ”Kiertävä pysäkki” in rural areas
- Joen Severi
Innovative products and service
development
- Interactive multimedia Virtual 10
- Care – ICT
- Life 2.0
Business development
- Growth programmes Hyrrä and
Hymy
Joen Severi ry
 Non – profit association
 The aim is to teach senior
citizens to use modern ICT
– connections
 The tutors – training
 Joen Severi – 600 members
 In spring 2013 – 47 groups
of 6 students and 3
voluntary tutors
Thank You !
More information:
risto.poutiainen@pohjois-karjala.fi
www.pohjois-karjala.fi