The village of the year was chosen in Alavude's Kätkänjoki at the beginning of December. Photo: Juha Iso-Tuisku.
The fall meeting of Eteläpohjalaiset Kylät ry was held in the traditional way in the previous year's village of the year, this time in Alavude's Kätkänjoki on December 3, 2022. Jokipii-Ahonkylä from Kurikan's Jalasjärvi was chosen as the southern Pohja village of 2022.
By choosing the village of the year, we want to highlight the versatile activities of the villages and increase the recognition and visibility of village activities. The goal is to find active villages, successful village activities and get good examples of village activities and cooperation.
- It's great that one of the most vibrant villages in our region received recognition this year, acting as the chairman of Liiver's board of directors Tarja Pienimäki says.
The Jokipii-Ahonkylä area is a settlement center that grew up around the shoe factory, where about 930 inhabitants live. Metsola elementary school has 60 students and Jokipii kindergarten has 32 children.
The village is active and several projects have been carried out there, such as the renovation of Pettulamme in 1999 and the renovation of the village park. The renovation of the youth club Alanen has started in 2020. Funding for the renovation of the house has been collected from the rural market in Jokipi, which has already been organized 10 times. The market has had about 3,000 visitors every year. Grants have been received from the Kotiseutuliito, because the Alanen area is under cultural and historical protection.
- The village has had several Leader-financed projects over the years. It is a pleasure to be involved in supporting the development of an active village, says Tarja Pienimäki.
Future projects include the roof repair of Alanen and improvement of accessibility, the lighting of the village park, the restoration of the long trees on the Ponsiluoma route, the restoration of Jalasjärvi lake and the improvement of the highway crossing area.
The village is involved in the cooperation group of villages in Jalasjärvi.
The village of the year in Eteläpohja is also announced as a candidate for the national village of the year, which is chosen by Suomen Kylät ry.