New chairwoman Mari Mäki-Karvia: “I liked the positive atmosphere in Leader activities right from the start”

Mari Mäki-Karvia from the village of Hirvijärvi in Jalasjärvi has started as the chairwoman of the Liiver board. Mäki-Karvia has seen Leader activities from many different perspectives: through work, association activities and board work. Mäki-Karvia has now started her fourth year on the Liiver board and for the last two years she has served as vice chairwoman. – We have worked closely with the previous chairwoman, Päivi Alaniska, and I have been involved in meetings either alongside her or […]
Leader funding application in May and autumn

There is one more Leader funding call for this spring in Liiveri. Project support applications must be submitted to Hyrrä by 19.5. and business support applications by 26.5., and they will be processed in Liiveri by 9.6. All forms of support are available. Liiverin Sinikka will help with business support and Telle with project support. Contact them before you start your application to Hyrrä. https://liiveri.net/yhteystiedot/ . In the autumn, Liiveri's board will process business support on 15.9, 24.10 and 1.12. Business support applications must be submitted to Hyrrä […]
Application open: Free yard plan for the village hall

Liiveri will implement a free yard plan for up to three village houses. Now is the opportunity to get a ready-made plan on how to modify the yard of a village house to make it cozy and suitable for the environment, to look exactly like your village. The plans will be implemented by ProAgria's landscape designer Marika Riihimäki. The villages will have access to an idea-level, professionally made, clear yard plan, which can be implemented piece by piece in projects and future investments. The yard plan can be implemented in addition to village houses, also […]
Leader funding in danger of ending – the effects would be felt directly in our region

The European Commission is currently reforming the Leader funding for rural development, and the decisions may directly affect the operations of villages in our region, the start-up of businesses and the well-being of communities. The continuation of Leader activities is not a given – Finland will soon decide what opportunities local development will have after 2027. Small grants have big impacts In recent years, the Liiveri Development Association has enabled Ilmajoki, Jalasjärvi and Seinäjoki […]
Read the annual report to see what was achieved in 2025

Liiveri's 2025 annual report has been published. Check out the annual report (pdf). A few highlights from 2025: 94 positive project and business support decisions LocalTapiola granted 20,000 euros to Liiveri's Youth Leader activities Young Bridge Builders, Nordic Preparedness and Eco-Acts Together projects launched 89 of the community houses that received a % survey request responded to the national village house survey of Finnish Villages. The association's business operations started after a break of years.
See the list of those who received funding

We will publish those that have received funding when the Vitality Centre (formerly the ELY Centre) has made an official decision on them. The decisions made between 16 February and 23 March 2026 are listed below. Project grants Development project to be implemented as a small project Jalasjärvi 4H Association – 4H history alive Lakeuden Ursa Association – Safe under the stars – Lakeuden Ursa’s safety and preparedness project Finnish Migration Museum Support Association – Virtaa communication Ostrobothnia Sports and Sports PLU […]
Operational Innovators Diploma for Lakeuden Ursa ry

The board of directors of the University of Liiver awarded the 2026 diploma to the Lakeuden Ursa Association in recognition of its long-term work in increasing the accessibility of astronomy and the association’s systematic and innovative activities. Lakeuden Ursa has brought the hobby of stargazing and the wonders of space within reach of the residents of the Space Capital and nearby municipalities. The association’s activities make exploring the universe accessible and experiential – literally broadening people’s perspectives. The observatory, built decades ago, is still […]
The Ursa Minor brings the starry sky close

The starry sky has always fascinated people, and Lakeuden Ursa has been active around it in Seinäjoki for forty years. In recent years, Lakeuden Ursa's activities have been renewed. As a result, the association has grown to a community of nearly 170 members, which is one of the four largest stargazing associations in Finland in terms of membership. The easily accessible hobby invites enthusiasts of all ages to join. The association's most visible feature is the Sahanneva Observatory, […]
Did you know this from the background of village security work?

The work carried out by the Leader regions of South Ostrobothnia to develop village safety and preparedness is not a coincidence. A provincial expert group has been operating in the background for years, with representatives from the rescue service, the Voluntary Rescue Service (Vapepa), the Finnish Red Cross, the municipal sector, and the Villages of South Ostrobothnia and village developers from the Leader regions. The village safety group is currently planning, among other things, a large preparedness event for autumn 2026. The aim of the event is to provide an understanding of the current security situation and the work of village communities […]
What does village development bring to your mind?

Are you dreaming of a common place in your village to organize events, gather and have fun? Could the villagers benefit from building new sports facilities? Are you thinking about new services to be implemented in the village to increase the village association's finances? Does it occur to you that the village landscape could be cleaned up by clearing bushes and a professional could draw up a plan on how to make the environment more comfortable and attractive for potential new residents. Have you considered renewable energy when paying the village hall's electricity bills?