EXPERIENCES FROM THE EROC PROJECT Mrs. Marjatta Eväsoja Culture Director Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia, Finland.

EXPERIENCES FROM THE EROC PROJECT

Mrs. Marjatta EväsojaCulture Director

Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia, Finland

South Ostrobothnia

• The Region of South Ostrobothnia is situated in the Province of Western Finland

• Population: 194 000• Land area: 13 400 km²• Distances: Seinäjoki

- Helsinki 357 km: by airplane 50 min by train 2 h 40 min

Helsinki

Entrepreneurship means subsistence

South Otsrobothnia is well known for its entrepreneurship and the exceptionally large number of small and medium size enterprises. Entrepreneurship is the key resource for the development of the region.

The strong clusters relate to the food, metal, technology industries as well as to the wood product industry.

In the future, the entrepreneurial region will invest inparticular in the development of entrepreneurship in the welfare, service sectors and the creative industry.

The Aalto Centre – the pride of Seinäjoki

CultureSouth Ostrobothnia has a recognizably cultural identity of its own.

South Otsrobothnia is the most Finnish speaking region in the world.

South Ostrobothnian festivals, music, arts- and handicrafts, folk art, folklore, architecture and entrepreneurship provide a steady basis for the vibrancy of the cultural life of the region in the 21st century.

Cultural Strategy of South Ostrobothnia 2010–2013 Our vision: Cultural-wise competitive and prosperous South OstrobothniaThree main themes: 1. Well-being from culture

2. Business from culture 3. Attraction from culture

Course of lifeTraditionally, the South Ostrobothnian character hasbeen associated with outspokenness, diligence,uprightness and courage. The South Ostrobothnian oftoday recognises their roots.

In the recent years, interaction in the region has beenenriched, as more and more new inhabitants havemoved to the region from other areas of Finland andabroad. The goal is to make internationalisation part ofeveryday life in the entire region.

Tangomarkkinat – Seinäjoki Tango Festival

European Regions of CultureRepresents the first step in a long term

campaign to create a new scheme harnessing the contribution of rural cultures to Europe

A new EROC network of which all partners will be founder members

EROC designation in EUCreate an evidence base for future lobbying

in favour of the EROC idea

Tangomarkkinat – Seinäjoki Tango Festival

The EROC Project

1.10.2008 – 1.10.2010

Budget 399 027 €

EU Culture programme 2007–2013 Strand 1.2.1

Three partners

Cornwall County Council, GB (lead partner)

Kujawski-Pomorskie region, PL

South Ostrobothnia region FI

Tangomarkkinat – Seinäjoki Tango Festival

EROC & partnershipEROC teamA series of 3 cultural events (Lapua 08/2009)

-cultural actors, officials, politicians-youth delegation-offered a platform for better joint working

EROC network of 40+ regionsPermanent network for developing regional culture in the

future-knowhow for utilizing EU funding-stimulate further international partnerships-create a ”more than the sum of the parts” effect

Tangomarkkinat – Seinäjoki Tango Festival

EROC & artArtist Residency: 9 artists

-SO: a theatre actor, a painter, a textile designer-New perspectives, collaboration, connections-Experience and courage to future collaboration

Art defining us-gave opportunity for the regions to consider its cultural narrative -engaged their sector in helping tell the story

Art as an experimental field for innovating-breaking boundaries-serves as a common language

Tangomarkkinat – Seinäjoki Tango Festival

EROC & identity The growing importance of a strong sense of

place and identity for peopleCulture offers a shared narrative: rootsCulture can play a key role in development

-Way to make regions/countries/Baltic Sea region attractive for people and business

Culture & strong sense of identity serve as advantages for rural areas-making positive effects for social cohesion, wellbeing etc. more visible and acknowledged

Tangomarkkinat – Seinäjoki Tango Festival

EROC & legacyEROC 2 -project 2011–2016

-EROC designation-EROC celebration year 2014-stimulate parallel project

Commitment to change through cultural development-In the Regional Council of SO since 1990’s-Cultural strategies for regions and municipalities

International cultural cooperation as a mirror for regional development

Tangomarkkinat – Seinäjoki Tango Festival

RESULTS / GOALS

*EMPOWERMENT-of the people-of the culture-of the cities and municipalities-of the regions

Empowerment of the European interaction

Welcome to South Ostrobothnia!

Thank You!