YHYRES develops vitality and entrepreneurship in Isokyrö, Laihia and Vaasa’s Vähäkyrö following "The Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland".
The YHYRES Development Association is a Leader group in the Isonkyrö, Laihia and Vaasa Vähänkyrö region. Leader action groups (LAGs) work began in the Kyrönmaa region in the summer of 1999.
The purpose of the YHYRES Development Association is to encourage residents to co-operate in order to develop their area and maintain the vitality of rural areas, and to increase know-how and experience related to rural development between different rural areas, including international co-operation.
The target area of the YHYRES Development Association's rural fund consists of the municipalities of Isonkyrö and Laihia and the city of Vaasa, Vähäkyrö. The area is small, but that is why it is coherent and well-sized to implement Leader-type development based on local decision-making.
“Many young people are moving to cities to study and to work and the population of Kyrönmaa is ageing. Therefore, keeping up the welfare services demands new solutions. LAG [Leader Action Group] YHYRES wants to strengthen local identity and excite villages to action. LAG YHYRES also wants to develop services which brings livelihood to local people and communities. Traditionally agriculture has been very significant in Kyrönmaa. One of the biggest challenges of LAG YHYRES is to find other sources of livelihood to the farmers.” https://yhyres.fi/
YHYRES’ goal is to improve the functioning of villages. They want to develop villages into comfortable, well-functioning, attractive living environment.
Resources needed
- Project funding 2007-2013: 45% EU, 35% Finnish State and 20% municipalities. In addition to public support, local Leader groups are required to meet at least 35% of the total amount from private funds
- Volunteer board recommends projects to fund to local government ELY-Centre
- 5 staff members
Evidence of success
Membership rose from about 140 in 2007 to 294 in 2014. Enthusiasm for attending board meetings reported.
Entrepreneurs and other businesses that received aid were successful and provided funds above the 35% private funding target threshold. Private money covered more than 39% of costs; rural municipalities then covered just 12% of the costs instead of 20%.
47 business aid applications 2007-2013: investment support for 33 companies; development aid for 11; and start-up aid for 3.
Difficulties encountered
Many young people are moving to cities and the population of Kyrönmaa is ageing. Keeping up welfare services demands new solutions.
One of YHYRES’ biggest challenges is to find other sources of livelihood for farmers.
LAGs engage community members in finding ways to develop their communities.
Potential for learning or transfer
YHYRES relies on EU rural development funds which would be available for similar entities in other European countries.
The word ”yhyres” means together in Ostrobotnian dialect. LAG YHYRES is one of the smallest LAGs in Finland. This allows for a very specific, coherent local identity. History and cultural identity are leveraged to encourage social cohesion and a willingness to stay in place to create change. Craftspeople can be integral to preserving and promoting local identity and the sense of specificity and place through their handicrafts.
This strategy could be used in other rural areas facing depopulation. Craftspeople can play a vital role in preserving and promoting local identity and heritage. This practice can provide economic support for local craftspeople with an option to do craft-making as a side business of a perhaps different and larger business operation.
Tags: Access to finance, SME
