The Leader-funded Loimaa Smart Villages project received a positive funding decision from the Riverbank partners with 80% support and was launched in early April. The project will run for two years and will be managed by the City of Loimaa and partnered by 29 associations in Loimaa.

The project will help Loimaa to map the operational objectives and development targets of associations and villages in village and association plans, from which a common Loimaa smart villages strategy will be compiled. The strategy will create a basis for the long-term development of association activities and cooperation between associations. The “Loimaa for residents” project identified development themes for the whole of Loimaa, the most common of which were issues related to village safety. Village safety work and safety planning is not just the work of the authorities, but is part of people’s everyday lives, which all residents can influence. The exceptional periods have highlighted the importance of preparedness and local knowledge.

The project aims to improve the safety and preparedness skills of the people of Lomaa and to carry out safety planning together with the residents. Local residents and associations play a key role in planning, as they know the population, the terrain, transport routes, natural conditions, the most common risk factors, who can do what and with what resources. Collecting information and making plans can speed up and facilitate the work of the emergency services in the event of a crisis.

The project will also improve cycling tourism opportunities in Loimaa. The aim is to identify good cycling routes for tourists arriving by train, to identify and test great and varied cycle routes in the villages and to get businesses in the area with the Bikeland Welcome Cyclist label. Mapped routes and businesses that better serve cyclists will also create added value for local cyclists.

In addition, the project will implement a wide range of cooperation projects and events that have emerged from partner associations.