We wish to welcome you to the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA) Forum of 2023 in Joensuu, North Karelia, Finland. This year, the Forum will focus on giving an update on EU cohesion policy, the ongoing OECD study and the effects of security policy and infrastructure plans in the NSPA area. In addition, we will host a workshop on the future of NSPA.

Date: 14th of December 2023

Conference location: Sokos Hotel Kimmel, Itäranta 1. Conference room Marjala 2-3

Stay location: Sokos Hotel Kimmel

Conference fee: 100€ per person (an invoice will be sent as part of the confirmation email).

Registration: Please register here.

As the conference space has maximum capacity, a confirmation email will follow after registration.

Pre-conference reception: Sokos Hotel Kimmel, 13th December starting at 20.00.

Preliminary programme for the 14th of December:

8.30-9.00 Registration 

9.00-9.10 Opening words (Markus Hirvonen, Mayor of North Karelia and Päivi Ekdahl, Chair of NSPA Steering Committee)

9.15-10.30 OECD Study and Cohesion Policy Updates (Stefano Barbieri, OECD, Kari Aalto, East and North Finland EU Office and Mikael Janson, North Sweden European Office)

10.30-12.00 Effects of security policy and infrastructure plans in the NSPA area (Mika Riipi, Lapland, Lotta Rönström, North Sweden European Office, Janni Ekrem, North Norway European Office, moderated by Kari Aalto, East and North Finland EU Office)

12.00-13.00 Lunch  

13.00-15.00 Future of NSPA Workshop

15.00-15.15 Coffee break

15.15-16.00 Wrap-up of the Forum 

16.00 Closing and welcome from the next Forum host

Hotel information:

Sokos Hotel Kimmel (50 rooms) can be booked until 27.11.2023 with code BNSPA in www.sokoshotels.fi or directly via email: kimmel.joensuu@sokoshotels.fi. 

Room prices (breakfast included): 

Standard: 

119€/singe/day 

139€/2 persons/day 

Bigger Superior – rooms +20€ 

Traveling:

The easiest way for international guest to travel to Joensuu is by plane to Joensuu Airport. Transportation to the city center is possible by public bus or taxi. 

The plane via Helsinki arrives to Joensuu at 17.45 in the evening of 13th of December. On the 14th of December after the conference, the plane departures at 18.05 in the evening. Flight details: https://www.finnair.com/fi-en

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact:

Kari Aalto, kari.aalto@eastnorth.fi

Veera Ylipieti, veera.ylipieti@eastnorth.fi