The Finnish Rural Policy network KERÄ – For sustainable rural areas and just transition (Maaseutupolitiikan KERÄ-verkostoof)

The Finnish Rural Policy network, KERÄ – For sustainable rural areas and just transition, focuses on current sustainability challenges at national, regional and local level, addressing all aspects of sustainability. 

The network strengthens the Sustainability Week operational model as a platform for dialogue on sustainability in rural areas. It supports municipalities and organisations in integrating sustainable development into their everyday work by providing practical information, tools and methods, and by fostering dialogue at local, regional and national level. 

KERÄ aims to expand Sustainability Week into a nationwide model for sustainability action and to develop mechanisms to improve regional equality in sustainability matters. It promotes the use of indicators to monitor place-based solutions and local initiatives, and works to embed sustainability into the everyday operations of organisations and municipalities. The network also seeks to strengthen fairness and participation in land use, the energy transition and the digital transition, while collecting and sharing knowledge on rural sustainability challenges across Finland. 

KERÄ is implemented in collaboration with Novia University of Applied Sciences, the Association of Rural Advisory Centres, and the Association for Rural Culture and Education.