The administrative branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry enables equal opportunities to move in rural areas. With the help of EU rural funding, more than 600 places for outdoor sports have been financed in the years 2014–2020. Funding has also been used in our region - through Liiver, support was granted for the renovation or construction of a total of 51 recreational facilities (including non-sports facilities as well).
- Immobility is a social challenge and, according to research, it is especially big in rural areas, says the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah.
- We have an urgent need to bridge health and well-being differences and increase equal opportunities for everyday movement and hobbies for rural residents as well. Ultimately, it's about the vitality of rural municipalities, he adds.
Essayah also chairs the Council for Rural Policy (MANE) and is a member of the International Olympic Committee. The Olympic Committee has played a key role in promoting sports.
Essayah and CEO of the Olympic Committee Taina Susiluoto encourage municipalities to respond to the challenge of immobility. As one solution to welfare differences and to increase equal opportunities for movement, the administration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry offers EU rural funding to municipalities.
- One significant form of funding to support operational capacity is the EU's rural funding, which has financed the largest number of sports facilities in Finland. With the help of EU rural funding, more than 600 outdoor exercise places have been built in Finland between 2014 and 2020.
Read the entire Kuntamarkkint blog post: "The administrative branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry enables equal opportunities to move in rural areas"
The administrative branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will enter the Municipal Market on 13–14 September 2023. The EU's rural financing, the Rural Policy Council MANE and the Olympic Committee are participating in the Municipal Market with the common theme "Increase movement and operational capacity for rural areas". In addition, the national school meal program is on display.