Ideas from study trips
Liiver's Travel theme project activated local operators to renew their operations by looking for new ideas, methods of operation and a new perspective, which would have positive effects on a wider scale, e.g. services and vitality of the area.
Nine associations implemented a study trip in the years 2020–2023, of which three were domestic trips and seven were foreign trips. The total budget of the project was €100,000, including the coordination part. The cost estimates for the trips were limited to between €2,500 and €12,000.
Bridge on the page, you can familiarize yourself with completed study trips and get tips and ideas for making your own trip.
Read more about the projects on this page or Ideas from study trips brochure (pdf).
Although another theme project like the Matka project is not forthcoming, Liiveri continues to finance the implementation of study tours. You can make the trip as a development project –find out about financing here.
The supported study trip must have a regional development perspective. The application must be accompanied by a study plan and a justification of why the study is being sought from abroad (if an international project). The trip must be open to those interested in the topic. Self-financing is money, not money.
During the travel project, the study trip was carried out by:
- Koskenkorva village society association
- Seinäjoki Urheilijat ry
- Eläkeliito Etelä-Pohjanmaa piiri ry
- Rytmi Institute Supporters' Association
- Seinäjoki live music association
- Finland-Poland Association of the Seinäjoki Region
- NS of Ylistaro Kainaston
- Ilmajoki Oppaat ry
- South Ostrobothnia Horse Breeding Association
The ideas for drama performances gained from the trip came to life in Ilka's statue
The idea of the Ilmajoki guides' trip was to seek development ideas for guiding activities, which have so far been carried out in traditional ways. During the study trip, models were searched for more versatile methods, e.g. for drama tutorials.
At the 100th anniversary of the Jaakko Ilka monument, Ilmajoki's guides presented a drama called Little Jaakkoo for the first time.
"These travel subsidies are a really great way to bring new ideas to the region and shake up old thought patterns with a relatively small investment. A great form of support. We were surprised ourselves how much tourism expanded in this sense."
Rytmi Institute Supporters' Association
"It's always worth turning the application after a good idea has been born. Even though you may feel a little desperate when applying at least the first time, you shouldn't throw your gloves on the counter. You can always get help from Liveri, as we did when we tested the application and had to make additions to it."
Ilmajoki Oppaat ry
"The trip project was a wonderful experience - without the project, we wouldn't have thought of going to look for ideas in a neighboring country."
Koskenkorva-seura ry
Ideas for developing the village brand
Organizer of the trip: Koskenkorva kyläseura ry
Target:
Åhus, Sweden
Participants: 16 people
On the trip, it was found out how in Sweden, in a town of the same size, it was possible to make a product brand of the same type (Absolut Vodka) the tourism asset and attraction of the town.
The best part of the trip was getting to know the activities of the local home district association. The home region association includes 150 village businesses and associations, as well as the entire city of Kristianstad, which also includes Åhusin. Their motto is "alone we are not strong, but together we can go far". Members pay a membership fee, with which the organization finances its activities. The organization coordinates events for different target groups. The association also maintains the Visit Åhus website, where you can find the current affairs of the village in one place, both tourist information and weekly menus. As the largest company in the village, Absolut is a strong player in the organization and participates in the activity both financially and by offering its work input.
"The way the home region association works as a cooperation body of associations and companies was interesting and we could take a model for cooperation methods from it. The consideration of different ages was also impressive, especially the night football organized for young people on Friday evenings, and its effects were a great example of a successful action for the benefit of young people."
New models for ice sports
Organizer of the trip: Seinäjoki Urheilijat ry
Destinations:
Region of Friesland, Netherlands
Participants: 12 people
The goal was to find out how the hobby of skating could be developed in such a way that it would not be too competition-oriented, and how enthusiasts of all ages could enjoy the hobby.
The issues discussed in the meetings during the trip were recreational, fitness and competitive skating, coaching and guidance, performance venues and organization of skating events, marketing, partners and the activities of the clubs in general.
"Even though the conditions and know-how are at a better level in Holland than in Finland, the clubs have similar challenges.
The trip resulted in e.g. the following ideas and areas for development:
Together with the camp's Dutch clubs, in which case the natural ice could act as an attraction in Finland. In Finland, there would be a need to create a common elementary skating school before a child chooses an ice sport. To realize this, the cooperation of schools and different clubs is needed.
The opportunity to skate is also offered to people with special needs, by acquiring a skating rink intended for this purpose."
Peer support, enthusiasm and courage for volunteer work
The organizer of the trip: Eläkeliito Etelä-Pohjanmaa piiri ry
Destinations:
Kuopio
Participants: 25 people
The Iläkeliito's Ilmajoki, Jalasjärvi and Seinäjoki associations do volunteer work in many different ways. We went on a study trip to find new sources of enthusiasm and broaden our own world view.
On the way, we got to know the activities coordinated by the city of Kuopio, e.g. for the gym's peer instructor activities, peer-guided building society jumps, cultural pilot activities, and the outdoor friend and rickshaw cycle activities of the elderly services.
On the way, we also got to know the activities of the Northern Savo district of Eläkeliito,
and learned how to meet and understand a person with dementia.
"The trip made me believe in the power of cooperation, how the city/wellness area can act as a supporter and a concrete partner with the volunteers of our association in the future. We just have to dare and boldly connect with these parties. This gave me faith in our own goals and objectives in supporting the well-being of senior citizens and the importance of versatile sports groups."
Innovations for music education
Organizer of the trip: Rytmi-instituut kantattajayhdistys ry
Destinations:
Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
London, Great Britain
Participants: 4+5 people
The goal of the trips was to find operating models that could continue the educational activities started with the projects. The prestigious Musik Makarna school in Örnsköldvik was chosen as the destination for the trip to Sweden. Its concept and modus operandi are very different from Finnish educational institutions. The biggest differences are a quick reaction to changes in the industry, a very strong work-life connection, massive facilities and a very positive and creative approach to producing commercial pop music.
The goal of the trip to London was to get to know and get in touch with several private music schools operating in London. On the trip, we also got to know the CLOCK degree program, which is intended for people who learn through work. The program was first developed for about 10 years with EU funding and has a qualification recognized by the EU. It is a truly different and groundbreaking alternative higher education program.
English music schools are often pioneers in the use of new technologies in teaching activities
"The study trips were very mind-opening. Mainly, the trip helped to notice what kind of formulas are used in operations in Finland and what kind of innovations the world has to offer. We became interested in developing our own educational offerings, updating teaching content and teaching methods, building international cooperation with e.g. some destinations, and developing ways in which the Rytmi Institute could offer low-threshold opportunities for international activities to the players in the music industry in the region."
"We could do even better to learn from this and integrate new technologies and software into music education, which would help students develop the digital skills that are important in today's music industry."
Colors for events in the area
Organizer of the trip: Seinäjoki Live Music Association
Destinations:
Hamburg, Germany
Participants: 12 people
Selmu ry's implementation focused on drawing new ideas of urban culture from a big European city at the time of a big city festival. The study trip went to Germany, to the Reeperbahn festival organized in Hamburg. The purpose of the trip is to seek ideas, inspiration and development proposals for the development of urban culture, for example organizing various events in Seinäjoki and nearby areas.
The idea was also to think about how the ideas and findings could be applied from the million city to Seinäjoki and the surrounding area.
After the trip, a joint decommissioning meeting of the observations made on the trip was organized, where everyone who was on the trip presented their own ideas and observations, after which they were discussed: Implementation of the so-called cultural direct from the Kaleva barn to Rytmikorjaamo and lighting solutions; Organizing a small-scale festival between Rytmikorjaamo and Kaleva Naveta; For the LBGTQ+ community, a love themed event; Yard game-Friday; Seinäjoki's own city festival and cultural sponsorship.
Cooperation and new partners from Poland
Organizer of the trip: Finland-Poland Association of the Seinäjoki Region
Destinations:
Koszalin, Poland
Participants: 5 people
The purpose of the trip was to look for contacts in Seinäjoki's sister city Koszalin and its surroundings, on the basis of which networks could be built in the coming years for a more solid interaction and cooperation, seeking continuity down to the citizen level.
In particular, we wanted to promote the cooperation of pensioner organizations, and to learn from new modes of operation. During the trip, we met the city administration and, in addition, we got to know, for example, the activities of the local pensioners' organization (VivaMy) and the destinations financed by the Leader action group, and it was concluded that tourism is a common interest, especially in the region also tourism of elderly people (Silver Tourism).
All in all, it was concluded that many actors in Koszalin have a lot of experience in international projects, and that it is worth looking for qualified partners for European projects there, and that it is worth offering to be there or applying to become partners in ready-made networks.
"Potential partners were found, now we just need to inspire the local parties to build joint patterns. VivaMY is a good partner for pensioner organizations. In the new program period, arrangements must be made for e.g. a new program project corresponding to Citizens' Europe, so that meetings of citizens can be made possible at a cost-effective level."
New power for the villages
The organizer of the trip: Ylistaro Kainaston NS
Destinations:
Several different villages in Estonia
Participants: 28 people
The goal of the trip was to renew friendship with the town and villages of Valga. Valga has previously been a twinned municipality of Ylistaro municipality.
The purpose was also to broaden the perspective beyond one's own borders and learn from others and find new applicable ideas to bring.
Travel destinations in Estonia were, for example, The villages of Vöhma, Avinurme, Rahingen, Äks and Lustivere, which had the same type of village houses as in Ylistaro. In the villages, they got to know the village houses and their renovation, the activities of the tourism industry in the villages, how services have been tried to be preserved and the events organized by the associations.
I remembered the bold and even crazy ideas with which village activities had been developed. Many villages had their own, regularly celebrated holidays that bring the people of the village together. The greatest hopes for cooperation are aimed at the village of Vöhma, from which a return visit to Ylistaro has already been realized.
"The villages had the same type of village houses as ours, and after getting one, the village has raised its own activities to a whole new level. I also remembered the bold and crazy ideas with which village activities have been developed.
Many villages also had several of their own regularly
celebrations that brought the village together
people together."
Guides for experiences
Travel organizer: Ilmajoken Oppaat ry
Destinations:
Noormarkku, Rauma, Sastamala, Hämeenkyrö
Participants: 11 people
The idea of the trip was to seek development ideas for guidance activities, which have so far been carried out in traditional forms (circular walks, guided tours, sightseeing tours). During the study trip, models were searched for more versatile methods, e.g. for drama guidance and also for information and productization of services.
The destinations were e.g. Ahlström's mining area in Noormarku, old Rauma, St. Olav's church and Tyrvää's old rectory in Sastamala, and Myllykolu in Hämeenkyrö. The trip included training on building role and drama guidance.
"Both in theory and through excellent practical examples, we got information and models on how to make different types of guidance, which is exactly what we set out to get. During the journey home, the eager travelers developed preliminary plans on how we could best implement the lessons we had learned in practice."
Networks and ideas for the horse industry
Travel provider: South Ostrobothnia Horse Breeding Association
Destinations:
Längelmäki, Ravijoki,
Ylöjärvi, Hamina
Participants: 28 people
The aim of the study trip to South-Eastern Finland was to create new cooperative contacts for horse enthusiasts, breeders and trotting trainers in the region and to network more strongly.
On the trip, ideas were sought for breeding choices and different stable solutions, as well as tips for foal feeding and pasture conditions, as well as a boost to the foal trade with the help of new contacts and partners. Places to visit were Sillanpää stud farm, Harju learning center, Teivo trotting school and the Horses in Bastion event.
"The participants benefited through several new ways and practices and with the help of the networks they created. In addition to small insights, the trip also gave us concrete ideas for developing our own business. At the same time, the necessity of similar study trips was emphasized, and many of those who were on the trip already signed up for a possible next study trip."
