MERSE-Partners Gathering in Mikkeli: Hands-On Insights into Rural Social Entrepreneurship

Social Entrepreneurship in Practice – Insights from a Study Tour

The first day consisted of a field trip and study visits. The excursion provided concrete examples of how social entrepreneurship can contribute to various sectors in rural areas, such as social and welfare services, local village activities, and preservation of history and culture.

The journey began with an introduction to the activities of Kotikaari. The association provides elderly care and assisted living facilities with the mission of ensuring dignity of life. Kotikaari’s work sparked discussion about the role and significance of the third sector, where value-based approach of organizations combines with practical service provision.

The second visit was to Hurissalo village in South-Savo countryside, where the local community works for a thriving area. The village impressed with its active community engagement, long-term development of work, and diverse service offerings. The discussions with villagers particularly emphasized the importance of participation, volunteer work, and open-minded activities in building community vitality, which was reflected, for example, in events organized by the local store and village association. The village's activities demonstrated how villages can serve as small but meaningful platforms for social entrepreneurship, developing services, premises, and activities that meet both local and regional needs.

At the end of the study tour, the group visited Muisti Centre of War and Peace, where they explored the impact of war on people and society through digital exhibitions. The experience at Muisti prompted reflection on the values and goals that development work ultimately serves and who benefits or suffers from it. History shows that solutions can lead to unexpected consequences if the impacts are not evaluated comprehensively and inclusively.

Working Together Towards Practical Tools

During the second day, which was a meeting day held at Ruralia, there was lively discussion about the future prospects of community-based service production in rural areas. A key challenge identified was the ongoing uncertainty regarding the continuity of funding, as well as the variability in service production and procurement models of public sector actors, which complicates long-term service development.

The meeting day also provided an opportunity to work on the next phase of the project, which focuses on making social and community impacts visible, highlighting best practices in collaboration between local communities and municipalities, and developing practical support materials. The project aims to produce concrete tools that will serve village associations, municipalities, and rural entrepreneurs alike.