The LAG Viisari operates in the northern part of Central Finland. The association was established in the spring of 2000.
In Finland, Leader local action groups (LAGs) are registered associations that develop rural areas by funding local rural development projects and supporting local enterprises
Facts about LAG Viisari:
The operating area of LAG Viisari was home to approximately 46 200 people at the end of 2021. It is less than one-fifth of the population of the whole Central Finland region. The surface of the area is about 8 500 km², which, however, covers over 40% of the whole surface area of the region. The operating area is mainly sparsely populated countryside with less than 5 residents per km². Only the areas of Äänekoski and Saarijärvi have a higher population density.
Natural resources – forests, mires, fields and waterways – are essential resources of the area. The strong points of business activities are small, active companies and hard-working entrepreneurs. Business activities are based especially on bio energy, small-scale industry, tourism and services, but agriculture and forestry are also very important.
Business challenges are related to co-operation and networking among other things. The companies need a broader clientele, more creativity and entrepreneurship as well as new entrepreneurs to continue business operations. A lot needs to be done in terms of internationalization and in the utilization of the lake districts and natural products.
Leader funding is granted for business support to micro enterprises. Viisari provides Leader funding within its own operational area. The projects to be funded must be in accordance with Viisari’s development strategy and Finland’s CAP strategy. We do not finance unprofitable activities or companies in distress.
Without business ID number, you can obtain support for:
– trying business activities, 2500 euros,
max. 4 months experiment.
With business ID number, you can obtain support for:
– starting part-time entrepreneurship, 5000 euros.
– starting full-time entrepreneurship, 7500 euros.
– making plans for changes of ownership for potential buyer of business that is located in the rural areas, 2500 or 5000 euros, max. 3 years project.
You can obtain support for:
– purchasing coaching-based business guidance and/or acquiring other expert help for research and development projects, the development of marketing, implementing of internationalization surveys, etc, 3000 euros.
– purchasing investment feasibility studies and/or coaching-based business guidance for developing a Business,
2000 euros.
You can obtain support for:
– purchasing coaching-based business guidance for creating Business, 1000 euros.
Applicant makes a plan with prices (including a offer from expert whose services will be used in the case) and timetable.
Voucher grant is paid after project is completed and reported with photos or with written report. No changes of plan are possible, except giving more time for executing plan.
You can find further information in the brochure below.
Postal Address
Leader Viisari ry
Virastotie 2
FI-43100 Saarijärvi
You can contact us by sending an e-mail to our common address: viisari@saarijarvi.fi.
Below you’ll find the personal contact information of the staff.
Sanna Kiuru
Operative Manager
Tel. +358 400 418055
sanna.kiuru@saarijarvi.fi
Ilona Ukkonen
Entrepreneurship Specialist
Tel. +358 40 820 1926
ilona.ukkonen@saarijarvi.fi
Laura Kortelainen
Communication manager
Tel. +358 40 655 2475
laura.kortelainen@saarijarvi.fi
The Leader groups in Central Finland have had the privilege to fund a wide range of projects from various entrepreneurs, associations and other communities in rural areas. This brochure contains a few examples of funded projects specific to tourism. Thus it provides an insight into our work as well as some great travel tips.
