One of our LEO Donegal team recently visited Finnish Lapland as part of the TOURBO Intereg European project which has the overall aim of offering an innovative approach to digitisation and new technology solutions to assist Local Authorities and MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) to develop and improve sustainability. 

Here are our three key take-aways from the visit:

Rovaniemi & The Santa Experience 

It was amazing to see the development of a world class sustainable tourism project which began in the 1950s and that now brings in over 1.1million visitors from over 80 countries. (Finavia, the Finnish airport authority, achieved carbon neutrality for all its airports in 2019).

It was also really encouraging to see the focus from all businesses in the Green Key sustainable certification and the strong legacy planning to ensure a viable and green enterprise is passed on to the next generation. 

Kopara Reindeer Park

Perhaps one of the most impressive examples was from Kopara Reindeer Park established in 2002 by Anssi and his uncle Ari with a view to sustaining a family heritage by delivering a reindeer experience to supplement the challenged primary agriculture business in one of the most remote regions and unforgiving climates on the planet. 

From a few hundred visitors 20 years ago, they just had their busiest season ever with 37,000 visitors, carefully managed to optimise staffing, facilities, reindeer and visitor experience. His two sons will carry on the business into the future. 

Take-Aways for Donegal MSMEs

Through a range of supports such as Green for Business, Digital for Business and the Energy Efficiency Grant (which since the visit has increased in value to €10,000 for participating businesses) opportunities are there for the business ecosystem in Donegal to develop and grow their sustainability performance, reduce waste and ultimately become more efficient and sustainable businesses. A number of businesses across a range of sectors have already begun this journey such as Macs Deli in Letterkenny. 

However perhaps more businesses in this area should publicise their efforts further in becoming more sustainable, which is becoming more and more important for environmentally conscious consumers, just as their counterparts in Rovaniemi have done.