ViVa – developing green corporate responsibility in micro-enterprises

The aim of the project is to develop the corporate responsibility skills of micro-entrepreneurs and to improve their ability to respond to changes in the operating environment after Covid -pandemic. The project will offer microenterprises information about different themes of corporate responsibility so that companies are aware how to apply corporate responsibility skills in their marketing and strategy. The project develops the ViVa- coaching concept that is piloting in Oulu South region. First, the coaching program provides micro-entrepreneurs online peer support activities and group-based coaching, which aim to develop the responsibility competence of entrepreneurs by focusing on different sectors of corporate responsible (economic, social and environmental responsibility). Second, the program gives support for enterprises in creating a responsibility plan. ViVa-coaching program provides both company-specific and group-based coaching based on the needs of an entrepreneur. Based on experience gained in the project, ViVa – green sustainability coaching program concept is launched. Also, a manual for corporate responsibility for microenterprises is introduced.

The main implementer of the project is Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu and the partial implementers are Centria University of Applied Sciences, the Nivala-Haapajärvi Region NIHAK and the city of Kalajoki.

The project is funded by the European Social Fund and the funding has been granted by the ELY Center of North Ostrobothnia. The other financiers of the project are Raahe Region Development​​, Haapavesi-Siikalatva Regional Government​​ and Kerttu Saalasti Foundation​​.