Lyckan - Maaseudun innovaatio- ja inspiraatiotoiminnan tulevaisuushub

The so called ”new normal” that we will embark on once the corona situation eases, will be based on a completely different way of doing things that we were used to do before the pandemic. We need to develop operating models that take into consideration an operating environment that has changed permanently and that will create innovative solutions, as well as assist in building businesses that are based on people’s needs in the ”new normal”.

Innovation activity is focused on cities. There is a potential danger that rural areas as a source of innovation, will not be exploited.

In this project, we are developing an innovation platform called Lyckan, that will serve as a means for developing business models in rural areas. Lyckan will function as a future hub and an inspiration centre in the countryside and it will strengthen sustainable entrepreneurship in the rural communities. The innovation centre, which is in development, will give opportunities for start-up-activities and it especially supports SMEs in rural areas. The future hubs will be piloted during the project and the hub’s permanent activities will be launched in Lapinjärvi.

We will compile a co-operation network as well as conceptualise an operating model in the project, which will make it possible to spread it to other municipalities both in Finland and internationally. The Lyckan-concept combines operators from biocircular economy, travel and creative sectors as well as implements the future and foresight skills to become more readily available for companies. The project will further foresight methodology to develop new skills in business and regional development as well as strengthen the desire for businesses to innovate and invest. The project uses human-based methods to develop a model for innovation and development that combines art, design and business.

The project takes into account the equal rights and opportunities of different gender identities, age groups, social groups and people from different regions to participate in the project. The project promotes gender equality and uniformity in accordance with the Lapinjärvi municipality's equality plan. The project promotes sustainable development by creating an opportunity and operating environment for the network-like development of new, more sustainable business, and by producing information e.g. more sustainable use of by-products. At the same time, the development of the region's economic structure towards a circular economy and the emergence of sustainable tourism business in the region will be promoted. Horizontal principles are taken into account in the implementation of the project throughout the project cycle.

The project is implemented as a joint venture of Lapinjärvi municipality, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Häme University of Applied Sciences and LAB University of Applied Sciences.

Results

Lyckan – A futurehub for inspiration and rural innovations -project. Rural areas and small towns have potential for innovation and development that has not necessarily been utilised. During the Lyckan -project, we developed a suitable Living Lab operating model for Lapinjärvi municipality and built a business network. We implemented the Living Lab through four different themes (future, circular bio-economy, creative industries, tourism) by strengthening the culture of experimentation by operating in authentic environments and by training companies in customer-oriented mindsets and the use of innovation and service design tools.

Living Lab Handbook for Small Municipalities; Designing a vibrant countryside of the future -publication provides municipalities with an operating model and tools that can be used to create opportunities for developing the competence of the municipality and its entrepreneurs. 

Contact person