ART EXPERIENCES IN THE LAHTI AREA AND NATURE EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN THROUGH GREEN CAPITAL PROJECT FUNDING
Project funding was now granted especially for art projects offering art experiences to all residents in Lahti and the neighbouring municipalities. Several projects supporting the relationship of children and young people with nature also received funding. Funding amounted to EUR 222,100 for a total of 17 projects.
The third project funding round for the Green Capital attracted a record number of applications, a total of 89. A total of EUR 1,852,458 of funding was applied for during the application round that ended on 31 December 2020.
Safely perceived art throughout the region
”This exceptional time challenges people’s well-being. We feel it is important that we can safely offer experiences in nature and the arts through the funding, considering that they have been proven to contribute to people’s well-being,” says Saara Vauramo, Programme Director of the Lahti – European Green Capital 2021 project.
Funding was provided to a light art project in Orimattila, Hollola-based ‘Monta luontoa’ exhibition and the public art tour ‘Jujut’ that will be arranged in Päijät-Häme. Also during the previous funding rounds, support to art projects, which together with the projects now being funded form a large-scale art complex in the Lahti region. According to a survey published by Arts Promotion Centre Finland on 27 January, the popularity of public art has increased considerably significantly in the Lahti region: Eighty per cent of respondents in the area would like to have art in their daily lives.
”During the previous support rounds, we have supported, among other things, the Kaarisilta Biennale and the Nastola summer exhibition, both of which will be arranged this year on an environmental theme. Art has been strongly visible in ‘Elämysten puisto’, an artwork of light and sound that was set up around Pikku-Vesijärvi for the opening week. Art has also taken over Lahti regional transport’s bus stop displays during the Green Capital year,” says Saara Vauramo’s about previous investments in art.
Integrating nature with the everyday lives of children, young people and families
Funding was granted for several projects supporting the relationship of children, young people and families with nature as well as projects dealing with environmental education.
Among others, funding was granted for the park family café, sustainability training for families and the family care centre personnel, a nature camp for families as well as a project for introducing immigrants to natural environments and everyman’s rights.
Project funding turns into an innovation competition
The project funding round, which ended in December, was the last of its kind. Project funding for the Green Capital has been turned into an innovation competition in which the Green Capital partners are looking for solutions for practical environmental challenges. The form of project funding has been changed in order to increase the effectiveness of the Green Capital year.
During the first innovation competition round, solutions will be sought for increasing cycling to and from work, optimising the energy use of properties, urban design methods as well as managing companies’ material flows digitally.
In addition to two innovation competitions, a project funding round focusing on events will be opened in March 2021.
Funded environmental projects
The projects to be funded and authorised to be announced are:
Roboride Oy, EU’s Green Capital Lahti on its way towards cleaner, more effective urban transport, €15,000
Kannas Upper Secondary School, investigating the school’s carbon footprint, €3,000
Benviroc Oy, Development of a consumption greenhouse gas emission calculation model, Kulma project, €20,000
Kuutio galleria Oy, HIUKKA – Hair – and hair fibre as a carbon sink, €15,000
Municipality of Hollola/Leisure services, Many natures in Hollola, €10,000
Päijät-Hämeen hyvinvointipalvelujen kehitys ry association, Sorting information for elderly people in home care, €5,000
Art, Poster and Design Museum LAD, Lahti Museums, Public Art Tour Jujut: this summer art will come for a visit, €23,000
Physicians for Social Responsibility association, Sustainable well-being in families with children, €15,000
Etelä-Hämeen luonnonsuojelupiiri ry association, Nature camp for families, €4,000
City of Orimattila / library, cultural and museum services, ITE light artwork, autumn 2021, €15,000
Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, Lahti association, Lähiluonto 2021, €15,000