Local nature as business booster

The project aimed at developing business activities in local and urban nature environments. The project focused on the Päijät-Häme region (Lahti, Hollola, Asikkala, and Heinola). Its primary target group consisted of SMEs and micro-enterprises engaged in nature-based business activities in the region.

The project developed nature-based service innovations through multidisciplinary collaboration. In cooperation with companies, a total of 17 new nature-based services were conceptualized and piloted in local and urban nature environments across the Päijät-Häme region. Feedback collected from pilot test groups helped companies refine these new services for market launch. A development model was created to support companies in developing nature-based business activities. Companies’ innovation and development capabilities were also strengthened through workshops focusing on topics such as productization and pricing of nature-based services, marketing, and permits and support schemes.

At the same time, the project identified collaboration models for research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities between higher education institutions and businesses and promoted the more effective use of research knowledge in the development of nature-based businesses. To support the development of nature-based services, an accessible summary of research evidence on the health and well-being benefits of nature was compiled for companies. In addition, new information on the demand potential for nature-based services was generated for companies through a survey, interviews, and participatory development workshops.

A report for municipal stakeholders identified opportunities within the urban and local nature environments of Päijät-Häme, as well as measures through which municipalities can support the operations and growth potential of companies providing nature-based services.

The project was implemented in collaboration between LAB University of Applied Sciences and the University of Helsinki.