21 April – 26 June 2026
Written by: Tiina Ynnilä, UEF
On 24 February 2026 and in cooperation with the Priodiversity LIFE project, ᴇNᴀBʟS’ Finnish Living Lab organised a workshop and network meeting for people who are operating with nature-related topics in North Savo. The meeting took place at the Kuopio campus of the University of Eastern Finland.
In August 2025, the Priodiversity LIFE project of the North Savo organised the first such successful meeting, and now UEF hosted a similar one, including also a workshop.
The aim was to bring nature actors together, discuss training needs, cooperation and project ideas related to the theme, and bring together students and nature actors for local development tasks, e.g., through Theses.
A total of 47 people participated in the event. The discussions focused on ongoing activities in the field and future project ideas, cooperation and funding opportunities, progress of the Priodiversity project targeting the implementation of the EU restoration law, and possible impact pathways for nature-positive regional policymaking. In addition, UEF’s biology/environmental science students were brought together with the local actors and shared ideas for Master thesis topics. The discussions during the workshop were inspiring. As a concrete result of the workshop, policy recommendations will be outlined for the local policy makers to support the regional strategies and programmes for forest management, and biodiversity- and climate-positive development in the area.
Left Figure: Elina Oksanen, Tiina Ynnilä and Oskari Ylikoski were organising the event from UEF’s part. Middle Figure: People participated actively in discussion. Right Figure: There were almost 50 participants.
Materials that were presented in the event can be found at UEF’s ᴇNᴀBʟS webpage:
Programme
| 9:00 | Coffee |
| 9:15 | Opening of the event and a short introduction of the attendees |
| 9:30 | Elina Oksanen, Professor of Environmental and Biological Sciences at the University Eastern Finland: Strengthening biodiversity and nature-based solutions in higher education, eNaBlS project |
| 9:40 | Sanna-Kaisa Rautio, Regional Coordinator of the Priodiversity LIFE project of the Centre for Economic Development of Eastern Finland: Current issues in the North Savo network of nature actors |
| 9:50 | Oskari Ylikoski, University Lecturer in Environmental and Biological Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland: What are nature-based solutions? |
| 10:00 | Presentation of financiers: What kind of nature funding is available? |
| 10.30–12.00 | Workshops based on preliminary assignments: • Training needs related to nature themes • Project planning and cooperation related to nature themes • Influencing regional nature policy |
| 12:00 | Lunch at Snellmania’s Food&Go restaurant |
The event was organised by the ᴇNᴀBʟS project – in particular by the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences of the University of Eastern Finland and the Centre for Continuous Learning – as well as the Priodiversity LIFE project of the Centre for the Economic Development of Eastern Finland.
The language of the meeting was Finnish, and the event was on-site.
21 April – 26 June 2026
28 June 2026
