Tuohta Tarinoista

The project transforms stories related to food culture into value-added and profitable activities for food service and tourism companies. The project’s goal is to enhance skills in the productization and marketing of narrative food tourism products and to create new experiential services for food tourism. Young people’s interest in food culture and knowledge of the food industry are strengthened through events, games, and gamification, in which stories also play a role.

Utilizing the food culture of the Saimaa region in the travel industry and promoting it, along with the food system, to the young

Highlighting Saimaa’s Food Culture:

The project’s objectives are to promote the food culture of the Saimaa region, enhance skills in the productization and marketing of narrative food tourism products, create new experiential services for food tourism, and increase young people’s interest in food culture and their knowledge of the industry.

Working together towards the greater good

The project is a collaborative effort associated with the European Region of Gastronomy 2024 celebration, which prominently showcases the food tourism of the Saimaa region.

The project is coordinated by the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences and co-implemented by ProAgria Eastern Finland / Rural Women’s Advisory Organization.

Project Objectives:

Actions:

  • Collect and script stories related to the region’s food culture for productization.
  • Train entrepreneurs in the method of storytelling and the use of stories.
  • Produce guidance materials for future use.
  • Organize the Challenge 2024 competition for young people to bring forth ideas related to food culture and the sustainability of the food system.
  • Make the local food system and culture visible to young people through gamification (game/gamified event).
  • Organize a Food Citizenship Week in primary schools.

Results:

  • New knowledge of the regional food culture.
  • Usable models for leveraging food culture in business.
  • New productized food tourism products/events.
  • Increased collaboration among entrepreneurs.
  • Increased visibility of Saimaa’s food culture and food tourism through new food tourism products and events.
  • Increased knowledge of Saimaa’s food industry among young people and its appeal.

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Phone
+358503507451
Email
Minna.Komppa@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Minna Komppa
Project Manager
+358503507451
Minna.Komppa@xamk.fi
Phone
+358509111364
Email
Jenni.Palosaari@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Jenni Palosaari
RDI Specialist
+358509111364
Jenni.Palosaari@xamk.fi
Phone
+358447028583
Email
Miikka-Petteri.Lesonen@xamk.fi
Social media
Department
Luovan talouden tutkimusyksikkö

Works in Finland, at Xamk’s campus in Kouvola, at Meduusa Studio. Part of the Creative Industries research unit and works as a RDI-specialist. Specializes in Gamification & Digitalization.

Miikka-Petteri Lesonen
RDI Specialist
+358447028583
Miikka-Petteri.Lesonen@xamk.fi
Social media
Phone
+358405720474
Email
Marjut.Kasper@xamk.fi
Department
Matkailu-, ravitsemis- ja nuorisoalan koulutusyksi
Marjut Kasper
Senior Lecturer
+358405720474
Marjut.Kasper@xamk.fi
Phone
+358408298452
Email
Laura.Hokkanen@xamk.fi
Department
Matkailu-, ravitsemis- ja nuorisoalan koulutusyksi
Laura Hokkanen
Senior Lecturer
+358408298452
Laura.Hokkanen@xamk.fi

Facts

Project name:

Tuohta tarinoista

Project duration: 1.5.2024–31.3.2026

Info

Lead partner: Xamk
Partial partners: ProAgria Eastern Finland/ Rural Women’s Advisory Organization

Budget

Financier and main source of funding: ELY-keskus & Funded by the European Union
Total budget: 330 000 €.
EU part of the total budget: 226 000 €.
Xamk part of the total budget: 52 000 €

ProAgria: 47 000 € & org. 5000€.

Keywords

regional development

Project partners

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