We have a dream..."

"Sepra" -development programme

"SEPRA" is a registered association which operates in the rural areas of Southern Kymi´s eight municipalities, promoting independent activity amongst the local people. The association has drawn up a development programme for this area, for which LEADER+ -development funding for the years 2000 - 2006 is applied. SEPRA -development programme supports small development projects which are based on the ideas of inhabitants themselves. The budget is approximately FIM 7 million per annum (just under ECU 1,2 million / annum). 30% of this amount comes from the EU, 18% from the Finnish state, 12% from the eight municipalities, and 40% from the inhabitants of the area.

The leading principle of the programme is to further the development of a pleasant and safe environment which also can give people livelihood. All the actions within the programme will be based on the respect for area´s history, nature, and local people, not forgetting the future generations.

Two themes has been chosen as a framework for the development programme:

• TO UTILIZE THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

• TO INCREASE INTERACTION BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS

The programme attempts to reach the set goals by following measures:

• By improving internal functions in the villages and other communities
  
• By developing tourist services, service industries and other
  entrepreneurship
  
• By promoting marketing and product development of new and existing local
  products
  
• By supporting new small businesses.
  
• By utilizing the close proximity of Russia and Estonia, as well as
  developing other international connections.
  
• By organizing various functions where country people and townspeople can
  meet.

What is Sepra?

The word "sepra" comes from an old Estonian word "söber" which means a "friend". The Finns called their Estonian trading partners "sepras".

Sepra trade was exchange trade between Estonians, and inhabitants of the Finnish coast and archipelago: a Finn took a barrel of fish into Estonia, and got two barrels of corn in exchange. This often helped in the times of famine. The trade went on for several centuries, until the Second World War, and created friendships across the Baltic Sea, lasting many generations.

Also the SEPRA association aims to develop further this interaction and companionship. To develop home home district in the spirit of companionship.

What is the Sepra -association?

SEPRA is an association, which aims to develop home district by the activity and independent work of the local people. The association operates in Southeastern Finland by the Baltic Sea, close to the Russian border. It includes seven municipalities: Miehikkälä, Virolahti, Hamina, Kouvola, Kotka, Pyhtää and Ruotsinpyhtää. The area is known by heavy industry and war historical sites. It is crossed by two old Swedish and Russian frontiers. There is also wide archipelago, and Kymijoki which is one of Finland´s largest rivers. The area has long traditions in modern agriculture and agricultural education.

There are approximately 57.000 inhabitants in the SEPRA area. The amount of population has decreased steadily over the past 30 years. Rural districts, housing estates, and towns overlap. The main part of the population lives by industry or public services - small industry has developed only slowly. In some villages interaction between villagers is active and lively. Most villages, however, seem to be going through some kind of a resting period.

"...We have a dream. We want our villages and population centres to be pleasant places to live, with a variety of lively activities. We want to see them grow economically and culturally. We picture plenty of cooperation between active inhabitants, as well as creation of new companies and new jobs."