P3 Well-connected region
3.2. Improved services of existing small ports to improve local and regional mobility and contribute to tourism development
Archipelago and Islands
01.02.2018 - 31.10.2020
€1 730 631
€1 297 973
ENDED. The Sustainable Gateways (SG) project develops small boat harbors located in national parks and nature reserves in the Finnish (4 harbors) and Swedish (3 harbors) outer archipelagoes. With the project´s support, these harbors become sustainable and attractive gateways destinations for boaters.
The project focuses on environmental sustainability, customer satisfaction, harbor operator´s business knowledge and increased regional nature-tourism and it is divided into four inter-linked work packages: 1) investments, 2) development of services and business, 3) marketing and networking and 4) environmental awareness. Investments, in the harbors,mean improved accessibility and safety thanks to increased pier capacity and better harbor planning. Environmental protection equipment such as waste water treatment and waste management facilities are updated. New service facilities will be built for visitors, e.g. saunas and service buildings. The operational development component improves the managerial skills of the harbor operators and encourages them to offer new services. This will be achieved by joint training, exchange of experiences and harbor-specific business development. Joint marketing increases visibility and attractiveness of the networked gateway harbors. Environmental information is distributed to visitors in the harbors to influence their behavior. These activities will increase mobility and nature-based tourism in the outer archipelagoes in a sustainable way.
The seven localities that the project is delevoping, will showcase sustainable and customer-oriented harbor management. In addition, the results of the project will be summarized into a Sustainable Harbor Development Manual to be used in developing other harbors with similar challenges and aims. Thus, the results may be disseminated to other harbors contributing to their development and environmental protection.
Metsähallitus (Forststyrelsen)
Country: FI
Partner budget: 976.917 EUR
Amount of ERDF funding: 732.688 EUR ERDF
Skärgårdsstiftelsen i Stockholms län
Country: SE
www.skargardsstiftelsen.se, www.archipelagofoundation.se
Partner budget: 655.205 EUR
Amount of ERDF funding: 491.404 EUR ERDF
Turun yliopisto
Country: FI
Partner budget: 98.508 EUR
Amount of ERDF funding: 73.881 EUR ERDF
Achieved results
Sustainable Gateways developed a network of small boat harbours in national parks and nature reserves
The Sustainable Gateways project developed a network of seven small boat harbours located in national parks and nature reserves in the Finnish and Swedish outer archipelago.
With the project support, the harbours became more sustainable and attractive for boaters, as they are well-managed destinations that offer good quality services. The project focus was on increasing environmental sustainability, customer satisfaction and harbour operators’ business knowledge.
Environmental sustainability in the ports concerned mostly preserving nature and providing better opportunities for environmental protection. Investments implemented at ports were directly related to environmental protection (such as wastewater treatment, waste collection and improved sanitation) or indirectly contributed to it. Increased service level makes the ports more attractive for visitors who will stay longer at the well-managed ports, which in turn leaves most of the natural areas protected.
As part of the project activities, the harbour entrepreneurs’ business skills were improved, and a separate business plan was developed for each harbour. Thanks to the project, the port entrepreneurs have better capabilities to make their businesses sustainable.
Furthermore, the project learnings were gathered as a publication for wider use.
Guidelines for Sustainable Harbour Development provides necessary practical guidelines for any small boat port entrepreneur to be considered when developing a harbour for leisure time visitors.
- The Sustainable Gateways project developed a network of small boat harbours located in national parks and nature reserves.
- The harbours became more sustainable and attractive for boaters, as they are well-managed destinations that offer good quality services.
- The project learnings were gathered as a publication with practical guidelines for any small boat port entrepreneur.
Internet presence
Other media visibility
Metsähallituksen ulkosaariston satamille kehittämisrahoitusta (Turun Sanomat, 2017)