Project
Tuotekehityksellä meille ja maailmalle
Project sponsors
Abbreviation
Project type
Focus area
Implementation time
1.9.2024 - 31.7.2025
Financing program
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) 2023-2027
Project description
The 'Product Development for Us and the World' collaboration project aims to enhance the ability of the Central Finland food network to create greater added value for local and Finnish raw materials through product development. The goal is to bring new or renewed, customer-oriented food products and their prototypes to both local markets and for export from the region. The project's task is to improve the product development skills of micro and small food entrepreneurs in Central Finland, and those aspiring to become such, in a customer-oriented manner and to promote direct dialogue between companies and customers (trade, export, professional kitchens).
The project is divided into three main objectives, based on the results of a company interview conducted in the previous Central Finland food network collaboration project, discussions with regional entrepreneurs about development needs, and industry development strategies. The project aims to achieve:
Increased product development skills
Strengthened networks in Central Finland's food processing from farm to table
Emergence of new and renewed food products, prototypes, and ideas in Central Finland
The project promotes, plans, and implements food processing activities aimed directly at local markets, but also creates pathways for food exports. The project also promotes food tourism. Attention is paid to the sustainability and responsibility of processing activities, as well as to innovation.
The project is implemented by JAMK University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with the University of Jyväskylä. The project is related to the Rural Development Program for Mainland Finland and seeks funding from the EU Rural Development Fund. For more information, contact Project Manager Sari Minkkinen and Specialist Leena Pölkki.