Welcome to Koillismaan Leader
Koillismaan Leader ry is a Local Action Group (LAG) in Northern Finland. We work to support rural communities in Kuusamo, Posio, and Taivalkoski. Our goal is to help local ideas grow – in entrepreneurship, community activities, sustainable living, and youth involvement.
We promote bottom-up development: local people, associations, and businesses help decide what matters in their area. We offer advice, networks, and support so good ideas can grow.
Connecting Koillismaa to the World
International cooperation is an important part of rural development. We look for partners from other countries who want to share ideas, learn together, and create new projects with us.
Our international work includes:
- Learning and exchanging experiences with other rural regions
- Joint projects in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and digital solutions
- Youth activities and cooperation across borders
We welcome partners who are interested in shared projects or EU-based cooperation.
Get in touch with us! Contact us
Funding Opportunities
If you are a local association or business based in Kuusamo, Posio, or Taivalkoski, funding may be available. We can provide guidance to help local organisations and businesses access Leader support.
Focus Areas
Our strategy focuses on four main themes:
- Entrepreneurship: Supporting small businesses and new ideas
- Community development: Improving local services and creating stronger communities
- Youth initiatives: Encouraging young people to take part and lead projects
- Sustainability: Promoting environmentally responsible and climate-friendly solutions
Get in touch with us! Contact us
Koillismaa Region – Our Operating Area
- Koillismaa is a northern rural region with 22,000 inhabitants and plenty of space to grow, with only 1.8 residents per km² across a total area of 12,011 km². With so much open land, nature truly takes the lead in Koillismaa!
- Kuusamo is the largest of our three municipalities and the center of local business activity. Our economy is mainly service-based, and tourism plays a major role, creating energy and opportunities for new ideas and partnerships.
- Our region’s identity is shaped by its hills, forests, lakes, and rivers. One of our municipalities, Posio, belongs to Lapland, giving Koillismaa a touch of northern arctic character. This unique environment offers an inspiring setting for nature-focused projects and international cooperation.
