Sustainable Use of Peatlands Competence Cluster

Project information

The main goal of the project is to support the operation of the competence cluster for the sustainable use of peatlands, established in 2023, which operates especially in Southern and Central Ostrobothnia, but also nationwide. Peatlands are used for many different purposes, e.g. in agriculture and forestry, peat production, nature tourism and other industries. In addition, they play an important role in the protection of peatland habitats, biodiversity and waters.
The competence cluster consists of regional and national actors, whose activities are characterized by multi-optimization of different aspects of sustainability and consideration of the landowner’s perspective when developing sustainable use of peatlands. With the contribution of the project, the activities of the competence cluster will become more efficient and new projects and cooperation will be created for the development of the sustainable use of peatlands, different aspects related to the use of peatlands will be better taken into account in development and decision-making.

• Funding: Just Transition Fund (JTF) of Regional Councils of South Ostrobothnia and Central Ostrobothnia and self-financing of project partners
• Project partners: Finnish Forest Centre, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius and Ruralia Institute of the University of Helsinki
• Duration: 1.11.2023–30.6.2026
• Budget: 719 446 €

Project promoters

• Jaakko Liinamaa, Project Manager, Finnish Forest Centre
• Sami Kurki, Director, Professor, Ruralia Institute, University of Helsinki
• Anne Matilainen, Coordinator, Ruralia Institute, University of Helsinki
• Jouni Kaipainen, Senior Researcher, Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius, University of Jyväskylä
• Terhi Korpi, Project Manager, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
• Elina Iivari, Communications Coordinator, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences

Target groups

The main target group of the project are the landowners of peatlands in the competence cluster on the sustainable use of peatlands, as well as other operators and companies that are centrally related to the use of peatlands or benefit from the use of peatlands.

Aim of the project

The aim of the project is to work in close cooperation with the knowledge cluster on the sustainable use of peatlands formed in the project area by providing it with resources and tools to achieve the cluster’s objectives. The main objective of all activities is to promote the sustainable use of peatlands in the project area so that all dimensions of sustainability, including climate, are balanced (multiple optimization) and that landowners also have the opportunity to express their views and participate in the planning and communication of development activities. In this way, the project aims to contribute to the creation and strengthening of the experience of justice when giving up the use of energy peat and in the green transition.

Work plan of the project

• Organise a wide range of research-based communication on issues concerning peatlands for the cluster’s internal and external target groups.
• Activating and coordinating knowledge production, practical solutions and pilots on the sustainable use of peatlands to promote the sustainable use of peatlands, taking into account the coordination of economic, ecological, social and cultural objectives (= multi-optimization)
• Increase the competence of landowners and operators, identify competence and training needs, and develop training related to the use of peatlands, utilising the knowledge and expertise of the actors, stakeholders and landowners involved in the cluster.
• Provide neutral and fact-based information on the different aspects and impacts of peatland decisions at national and international level.
• Promote cooperation and networking between actors in the cluster at regional, national and international level, and also strengthen the involvement of other actors related to the use of peatlands (e.g. entrepreneurs and landowners).
• Promoting that the regions of South and Central Ostrobothnia, in particular, serve as a testing ground for implementing practical solutions and research data and serve as an example area for the sustainable use of peatlands.
• Activating and coordinating the launch of various RDI projects related to the sustainable use of peatlands and increasing cooperation, quality and effectiveness between projects.

Results

The project provides a framework, tools and coordination to better involve landowners and operators and to develop practical solutions to meet the challenges. In this case, solutions and operating models and methods that take into account the special characteristics of the region/country can be developed. At the same time, the acceptability of the measures will improve when the landowners and operators in the area have been consulted and their perspectives have been taken into account. The project’s activities thus support the implementation of the principles of sustainable development and the EU’s environmental policy in the practical use of peatlands.

Ash fertilization of swamp forest over snow cover. Photo by Jussi Laurila.