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EU funding granted for research on rural areas, marine management and regional inequalities for researchers at the University of Eastern Finland

The University of Eastern Finland has received the European Union’s HORIZON-CL2-2021 funding for three research projects. The total amount of funding is almost EUR 1.1 million. The funded projects explore the adaptation and renewal of rural areas in Europe, marine management and inequality in Europe.

North Karelia one of the 14 pilot areas of the international RUSTIK project

Researchers from the Karelian Institute of the University of Eastern Finland participate in the international Rural Sustainability Transitions through Integration of Knowledge for Improved Policy Processes research project (RUSTIK). The aim of the project is to strengthen new strategies, initiatives and policies supporting sustainable development in rural areas. It supports the capability of rural areas to adapt and renew themselves to changes in the living environment, society and the global world, with a particular focus on questions of data production.

The total funding for the four-year RUSTIK research project amounts to EUR 7 million, of which the Karelian Institute’s share is EUR 455,218. Research Director Petri Kahila of the Karelia Institute leads the sub-study carried out at the University of Eastern Finland. In addition to Kahila, Postdoctoral Researcher Juha Halme participates in the study. The RUSTIK project is coordinated by the Institute for Rural Development Research (IfLS) from Germany and involves 31 partners.

The RUSTIK project has 14 European pilot regions, from Finland to North Karelia. The Regional Council of North Karelia participates in the project, playing a key role in producing and disseminating new information on the adaptation and renewal of rural areas to the practical work of regional stakeholders.

The CrossGov project assesses the capability of legislation in the EU and its Member States to implement the European Green Deal

Researchers of water and marine environmental law at the University of Eastern Finland participate in the international Coherent and Cross-compliant Ocean Governance for Delivering the EU Green Deal for European Seas research project (CrossGov). The project aims to assess the capability of international, European Union and selected Union Member States’ legislation and policies to implement the European Green Deal, particularly with regard to its marine biodiversity, climate and zero pollution targets.

The total funding for the three-year project is approximately EUR 3 million, of which the University of Eastern Finland’s share is approximately EUR 415,000. The sub-study at the University of Eastern Finland is led by Niko Soininen and Antti Belinskij, both professors in environmental law. In addition, Postdoctoral Researcher Eerika Albrecht, Early Stage Researcher Suvi-Tuuli Puharinen and Doctoral Researcher César Soares de Oliveira participate in the study. The Center for Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Law (CCEEL) at the Law School of the University of Eastern Finland is responsible for the project. The project is led by the Norwegian NIVA Institute. It has six partners.

The ESSPIN project examines the link between policies and regional inequalities

Researchers from the Karelia Institute participate in the Economic, Social and Spatial Inequalities in Europe in the Era of Global Mega-trends (ESSPIN) research project. The project explores the link between social, economic and regional inequalities in the European Union and the policy measures developed to address them. The project aims at more anticipatory, inclusive and effective political partnerships between different levels of government.

The sub-study at the Karelia Institute focuses in particular on comparing the logic of politics and its results. The aim is to deepen the understanding of how the interaction between the EU level and national policies may have increased regional inequalities. Six national case studies address various issues related to social stabilisation, redistribution and development in the context of tax, housing and education policies, for instance.

The total funding for the three-year project amounts to EUR 3 million, of which the Karelian Institute’s share is EUR 204,000. The sub-project of the University of Eastern Finland is led by Professor James Scott. In addition, Senior Researcher Sarolta Németh participates in the study. The ESSPIN project is coordinated by the University of Thessaly, Greece.

Further information:

RUSTIK project, Research Director Petri Kahila, Karelia Institute, petri.kahila(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 (0)50 411 8445

CrossGov project, Professor Niko Soininen, UEF Law School, niko.soininen(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 (0)50 4376342

ESSPIN project, Professor James Scott, Karelia Institute, james.scott(at)uef.fi, tel. + 358 (0)50 366 0653 and Senior Researcher Sarolta Németh, Karelia Institute, sarolta.nemeth(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 (0)50 442 3099