Cultivate sustainably and responsibly (VILKE)

The VILKE project is based on tightening sustainability requirements, guided by EU legislation and new future practices in retail chains, such as IP certification and the EcoVadis sustainability assessment system.

The target group of the project is primary producers in Eastern Finland, and the beneficiaries are also retail chains, buyers and advisory services. The project provides free training and practical tools to help producers prepare a sustainability plan, prepare for certifications, and assign their sustainability work to buyers and funders. The training courses are carried out in three modules, which deals with the basics of sustainability work, certification processes and the profitability of sustainable business. In addition, “Pellonpiennar” events, webinars and benchmarking events are held.

The project will enable producers in Eastern Finland to meet the tightening responsibility requirements and to make responsibility work part of the everyday life of their farms. At the end of the project, the producers will have a stronger overall view of the different areas of responsibility and be able to utilize the know-how in practical development activities on the farm. In addition to the adoption of new information, permanent practices will be created at the farms, which will make it easier to meet responsibility requirements in the coming years.

A key change in the target group is that primary producers are not left alone with complex certifications, audits and reporting requirements. Through the training and materials produced in the project, they have concrete tools and examples to help them draw up farm-specific sustainability plans, prepare for certifications, and demonstrate their sustainability work to financiers and buyers. Farmers have better opportunities to survive in supply chains, and the time and mental load required for sustainability work is lightened.

The project is carried out by Development Company SavoGrow Oy / Berry Centre of Excellence (main implementer) and Kerttu Saalasti Institute of the University of Oulu / MicroENTRE. The partners are the Suonenjoki Berry Farmers' Association (SSMY), HML, MTK, Suonentieto and Pakkasmarja Oy. The funding has been granted by the Centre for Vitality in Eastern Finland.

For more information:
Jaana Jeminen, Project Manager
University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute
Micro-entrepreneurship centre MicroENTRE
jaana.jeminen@oulu.fi
tel. +358 50 591 6216