VELHO 2011 - 2013

Regional and local implementation of river basin and nature management in water bodies in Southwest Finland, VELHO

The objective of the VELHO project, launched by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) of Southwest Finland at the beginning of 2011, is to develop cooperation on river basin and nature management in Satakunta and Southwest Finland. The cost estimate for the project is about EUR 3 million and it is funded from the Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland, a programme co-funded by the EU. The project is to be implemented over three years by the end of 2013.

Viurilanlahti. Photo: Sanna Tikander

The objectives of the VELHO project are to further develop the activities of the Satavesi and Pro Archipelago Sea Cooperation Programmes for improving the status and use of waters, to draw up management plans for the wetland areas and waters belonging to the Natura 2000 network and to implement a new type of overall planning for managing reed beds in sea bays. Another objective is to promote cross-sector cooperation to reconcile the aims and activities of river basin and nature management.

A special objective of the project is to improve the quality and attractiveness of the rural living environment and the opportunities it offers by taking care of the environment and promoting natural values. This objective is a common one shared by the Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland and the EU’s targets for water and nature conservation, which are laid down in the Habitats and Birds Directives and the EU Water Framework Directive.