Supported by the EAFRD and local actors
ELY Centres and Leader offices in the region have been funding the development of Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark for years. The Parkano Savings Bank Foundation and many other local stakeholders, such as banks and Lions Clubs, have also funded Geopark’s project activities.
Ongoing projects
Making Geoscience Visible
The project aims to produce and disseminate new geological information about both new and existing sites within the Geopark area in an easily understandable and engaging format. It utilizes videos and interactive maps, among other tools. The project supports environmental education and educational tourism while promoting geo- and nature tourism, strengthening opportunities for businesses and tour guides. A new area, Pyhävuori, will be introduced, opening up tourism and business collaboration opportunities towards the Ostrobothnia region.
The project is implemented by Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark ry.
- Implementation period: 1.11.2023–31.10.2025
Funding and budget: €150,000 - European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development / ELY Centres: €64,500
- State funding: €70,500
- Other public funding: €15,000
Preparatory Projects for the “Story of the Bog” Film
The projects aim to carry out the planning, scripting, and pre-production work for the Story of the Bog film by Matila Röhr Productions, including test shootings. Additionally, short segments related to environmental education will be prepared and filmed before the actual production phase of the film.
The projects are implemented by Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark ry and are conducted as two separate Leader projects within the Pohjois-Satakunta and Suupohja Leader regions.
- Implementation period: 1.2.2024–31.8.2025
- Funding and budget: €70,000
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development / Pohjois-Satakunta and Suupohja Leader groups: €56,000
- Private funding: €14,000
Private funders include:
- POP Pankki Suomen Osuuspankki
- POP pankki Isojoki
- POP pankki Kurikka (Jämijärvi)
- POP pankki Honkajoki
- LC Isojoki
- LC Karvia
- LC Honkajoki
- LC Parkano
- Vatajankosken Sähkö Oy
Completed projects
Find LH Geopark in Suupohja
The project aims to enhance the visibility and accessibility of the Geopark area through various means, including signage, exhibitions, roadside signs, and advertisements.
The project is located in the Suupohja region, covering Kauhajoki, Isojoki, and Karijoki. The target groups include municipalities, businesses, residents, and tourists.
The project is implemented by Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark ry.
Implementation period: 16.8.2023–28.2.2025
Funding and budget: €87,550
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development / Suupohja Leader: €37,646.50
- State funding: €19,961.40
- Other public support: €29,942.10
Find LH Geopark
The aim of the project is to raise the profile and improve accessibility of the Geopark area, such as with signs, a website update and Geopark exhibitions. The project will also procure public bicycle servicing points for the area.
The project is cross-regional and is located in the regions of Satakunta and Pirkanmaa. The project will be implemented in close cooperation with actors in the region. The target groups are municipalities, companies, residents and tourists in the region.
The project is run by Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland, Lakeland. Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark ry is a co-implementer of the project.
- Project period: 1.5.2022–31.12.2023
- Funding and cost estimate: 205 421,00 €
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)/Satakunta and Pirkanmaa Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres): 86 276,82 €
- Finnish State: 57 518,18 €
- Other public support: 61 626,00 €
Putting the Geopark on the bike tourism world map
Putting the Geopark on the bike tourism world map project develops the operating conditions for Geopark bike tourism and promotes sustainable tourism by creating new bike routes and highlighting existing ones, developing bike tourism services and providing information on them by various means.
The project will be implemented in close cooperation with local authorities, businesses and associations in the region, Metsähallitus, experts and local people as well as other stakeholders. In addition to bike tourists, other tourists and cycling enthusiasts, the target groups include local people, businesses and service providers. The project is overseen by Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark ry.
- Project period: 1.5.2020–30.6.2023
- Funding and cost estimate: 269 280,00 €
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)/Satakunta and Pirkanmaa Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres): 113 097,60 €
- Finnish State: 129 254,40 €
- Other public support: 26 928,00 €
Geopark’s story as a tourism product
The aim of the project is to map out and involve creative actors in the Geopark area who can provide activity services for Geopark’s group tourism in the future.
The project involves actors from the creative sector in the production of Geopark activity services and organisation of Geopark weeks. The project will also launch a pilot related to the ceremony marking the granting of Geopark status. The material to be produced will be used in the marketing of the Geopark area in Finland and internationally. The project is overseen by Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark ry.
- Project period: 1.1.2021 – 31.12.2022
- Funding and cost estimate: 64 250 €
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)/Satakunta and Pirkanmaa Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres): 26 984,98 €
- Finnish State: 17 990,02 €
- Other public supports: 19 274,96 €
In the heartland of a mire people
The objective of the international environmental education project is to develop Geopark’s environmental education programmes. The project involves practical environmental education work in one’s own area and internationally.
The aim is to provide young people in the region with experiences and information on environmental values and opportunities for excursions to nature and geosites as well as to monitor changes in the environment and to observe and record environmental phenomena. The project is coordinated and implemented by Kankaanpään Yhteislyseo Upper Secondary School in cooperation with other partners.
- Project period: 1.4.2018–2023
- Funding and cost estimateo: 85 100 €
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)/Satakunta and Pirkanmaa Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres): 35 742,00 €
- Finnish State: 32 338,00 €
- Other public support: 8 510,00 €
- Other public support: 8 510,00 €
Sustainable development in Geopark
The objective of the Sustainable Development in Geopark project is to promote sustainable development in the Geopark region in a variety of ways, both in tourism and other activities. Employing a variety of means, the project promotes the development, commercialisation and visibility of geo and nature tourism in the region, both in Finland and internationally.
The project will be implemented in cooperation with several different parties, such as research institutes and higher education institutions. The project is overseen by Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark ry and implemented by Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).
- Project period: 1.4.2019–31.7.2022
- Funding and cost estimate: 397 828,00 €
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)/Satakunta and Pirkanmaa Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres): 167 087,76 €
- Finnish State: 190 957,24 €
- Other public support: 39 783,00 €
Geopark – Sustainably towards UNESCO
The aim of the Geopark – Sustainably towards UNESCO project is to further develop Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark towards becoming a member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. The project measures are based on the development recommendations issued to the Geopark by UNESCO representatives following the field evaluation conducted in the summer of 2019. The project is overseen by Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark ry.
- Project period: 1.1.2020–31.10.2021
- Funding and cost estimate: 28 660 €
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)/Satakunta and Pirkanmaa Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres):12 037,20 €
- Finnish State: 4 012,40 €
- Other public support: 4 012,40 €
- Other public support: 8 598,00 €
