The Future Huutokoski project was a smart village project that received EU rural funding through SavonLuotsi Leader ry. The project, which began on 15 Aug 2024 and ended on 31 Mar 2026, was administered by the Municipality of Joroinen, whose partners were the Joroinen shared fishing area, Kolma Village Association and Huutokosken Arvo-Kala Oy. Several stakeholders were involved. The active implementation period was the working time of the project coordinator from 16 Dec 2024 to 28 Feb 2026.

The main objective of the strategy project, which focused on developing the village of Huutokoski as an outdoor and visitor destination, was to draw up a general plan for the Huutokoski area as a basis for future development measures. You can explore the document From passion into the current – General plan for the Huutokoski area 2026 here (pdf).

The general plan provides an overview of Huutokoski’s location, transport connections and current outdoor opportunities. The background information and development opportunities are presented separately for the historic ironworks area and for hiking. The railway station milieu has a great deal of development potential, but would require a compelling vision, cooperation, planning and a great deal of resources. The chapter A more attractive, more vibrant Huutokoski presents opportunities to develop the village’s services, vitality and marketing. At the end of the general plan you will find a SWOT analysis and a proposal for future projects.

The project investigated the conditions for a long cycling route from the church village of Joroinen via Huutokoski and Kolma. The project drew up a plan for a cycling route of about 45 kilometres from the church village of Joroinen via Huutokoski, Kolma, Palviainen and the Saimaa route back to the church village. A shorter route of about 19 kilometres to Huutokoski is obtained if the return is marked via Vättiläntie and Pieksämäentie. Cycling route plan (pdf).

Sitowise Oy produced for the project plans for the Huutokoski hiking route, the Kapteeninmetsä hiking route and the Kirkkopuro area of the Kapteeninmetsä property, and drew up a cost estimate and a type cross-section and structural drawings for the plans.

To improve canoeing conditions, the project participated in the planning of the 19-kilometre Huutokoski canoeing route. The main designer was Sawo Kayaks.

The archaeological inventory of the Huutokoski surroundings was carried out by ARK-Sukellus Oy. You can explore the report here (pdf).

The people of Huutokoski want to continue developing the village on the basis created by the project and decided on 17 Feb 2026 to establish Kehittyvä Huutokoski ry.

(Updated 18 Feb 2026)

In the Home in Joroinen – developing resident activities project, a new model of resident activity is being developed that brings residents together regardless of their type of housing. The aim of the development is also to increase opportunities for participation, safety and comfort, as well as taking responsibility for one’s own living environment. The aim is also to seek to break the spirals of loneliness and exclusion that affect everyone, which always have an impact not only on the individual but on the entire surrounding community. Developing resident activities also has an effect on increasing the retention power for immigrants and on positive encounters between cultures.

Come along!

Let’s plan and create new communal activities together, regardless of the type of housing. Let’s increase the comfort of residential areas and residents’ opportunities for participation. Welcome to the workshops, themed sessions, events and trips!

You can find our upcoming events in the events calendar.

More information:
Project coordinator Armi Nissinen
tel: 044 767 6941
armi.nissinen@joroinen.fi

Enchantment from culture is a project administered by the Municipality of Rantasalmi, in which the Municipality of Joroinen participates together with Juva and Sulkava. The project, which began on 1 Sept 2024, ends on 31 Mar 2026. It receives EU rural funding through SavonLuotsi Leader ry. The objectives of the project are as follows:

• Strengthen cooperation in the cultural sector: create new networks between professionals, hobbyists and associations
• Mapping and data collection: identify the actors in the region’s cultural field and collect information for a future register of cultural producers
• Innovative workshops: develop new kinds of cultural content and seek new, surprising event venues
• Utilising technology: promote the use of new technology, such as virtual cultural content, in the cultural offering through digital devices

More information and monthly newsletters can be found on the Municipality of Rantasalmi’s pages.

Developing tourism activities at Joroinen airfield (AKKE)

The project enables the development of tourism activities at Joroinen airfield. The project’s investments and purchased services enable concrete development measures that are essential for the airfield to remain an airfield subject to flight procedures. The project’s results enable tourism activities to begin and develop at the airfield.

Project period: 9/2024 – 10/2025
Funder: Regional Council of North Savo

More information from: project coordinator Joonas Tyrväinen, tel. 040 7514 777, joonas.tyrvainen@joroinen.fi

The Palviainen bio-terminal is being built in the immediate vicinity of highway 5, along good transport connections. The bio-terminal stores, processes and recycles biomass and soil materials. The bio-terminal concentrates the operations requiring an environmental permit in one location.

Project period: 5/2024 – 8/2025

More information from: construction and procurement manager Jonne Heimonen, tel. 040 647 4484

(Updated 9 Oct 2024)

The Saimaa route is an outdoor route connecting the Joroinen harbour and the Kotkatharju outdoor area. The route enables a safe connection for non-motorised traffic from the church village built-up area via the harbour to Kotkatharju. The route runs through an area that is unique in terms of biodiversity. A nature tower will also be built along the route. The total length of the route to be built is 1.9 km.

Project period: 5/2024 – 8/2025

More information from: construction and procurement manager Jonne Heimonen, tel. 040 647 4484

(Updated 9 Oct 2024)

The ERDF project Joroinen – a pioneer of green technology and sustainable tourism, funded by the Regional Council of North Savo, has completed its final outputs: three extensive development plans and two more limited plans promoting accessibility and sustainable tourism.

Logistically excellent – Joroinen 2030 is an extensive development plan, i.e. a Master Plan, concerning highway 5, the Varkaus airfield, the Kotkatharju outdoor area and the Joroinen harbour, the drafting of which is one of the objectives of the Joroinen municipal strategy 2022–2030. The Master Plan presents numerous measures emphasising the improvement of the area’s recognisability and accessibility, the development of business activity and sustainable tourism through them, and altogether an increase in the area’s activity. The Joroinen municipal council noted the Master Plan for information on 11 Dec 2023.

The Varkaus airfield development plan 2023 was produced for the project by Aii Airspace Design on the basis of competitive tendering. The development plan is divided into the main plan and the related plan concerning the management of obstacles near the runway. The Joroinen municipal board noted the development plan for information on 4 Dec 2023.

The main content of the Green tech development plan is an energy map that compiles information on solar and wind power projects at various stages in the Joroinen area and defines an area of about 14 hectares for a potential data centre at Liuna, near a 110-kilovolt transmission line. The energy map drawn up using the project’s QGIS geographic information software supports the large-scale production of renewable energy in Joroinen on the principles of sustainable development. The Joroinen municipal board noted the plan for information on 20 Nov 2023.

The marketing plan for the Kotkatharju area was drawn up for the project on the basis of competitive tendering by Ahooy Creative Oy. The marketing plan includes a concise local marketing strategy, an annual marketing plan and a November 2023 – January 2024 plan, a visual guideline, and a work package for Adobe tools. The brand name became Kotkatharju of Outdoor Experiences and the slogan The romping ground of Joroinen outdoor life, Kotkatharju, is being renewed! Explore the examples (pdf).

The plan for the Saimaa route, an outdoor route of about 1.9 kilometres with a sand surface between the Joroinen harbour and Kotkatharju, was drawn up by the municipality’s framework agreement supplier Sitowise Oy. The plan includes a bird-watching tower of about five metres in height and a route to it, three wooden bridges, four information boards, the straightening of Nuotniementie near the golf course, and on part of the route the moving of the airfield’s protective fence by about five metres towards the runway. The VAT-free construction costs according to the plan would be EUR 214,800, of which the tower’s share is EUR 42,000. The Joroinen municipal board noted the marketing plan for the Kotkatharju area and the plan for the Saimaa route for information on 20 Nov 2023.

The ERDF project Joroinen – a pioneer of green technology and sustainable tourism (A78761) was funded by the Regional Council of North Savo. The cost estimate was EUR 187,500, of which ERDF and state funding accounted for 80 per cent (150,000) and the Municipality of Joroinen’s own funding for 20 per cent (37,500). The project began on 15 Aug 2022 and ended on 31 Dec 2023.

Project coordinator Anna Kaasinen worked on the project for 13 months, and project assistant Arttu Hasu, specialising in geographic information, for six months.

(Updated 10 Jan 2024)

Towards a developing Huutokoski is a preliminary study project carried out in Joroinen from 1 May to 31 Jul 2024, which received EU rural funding as so-called Smart Village preparatory funding through SavonLuotsi Leader ry.

The project investigated the conditions for a possible later Smart Villages cooperation project, mapped the partners and stakeholders for it, the measures needed in Huutokoski, and drew up a project plan and budget.

More information from technical director Petri Miettinen, tel. 040 661 4342, petri.miettinen@joroinen.fi

Towards a developing Huutokoski (pdf)

(Updated 22 Jul 2024)