Authors

• Ovaska, Ulla (Natural Resources Institute Finland)
• Pyysiäinen, Jarkko (Natural Resources Institute Finland)
• Vihinen, Hilkka (Natural Resources Institute Finland)

Keywords

climate change, countryside, entrepreneurs, rural areas, rural development, rural economics, rural environment, rural migration, rural planning, rural policy

Abstract

The Rural Finland survey explores the meaning and future of rural areas. The aim of the survey is to provide information on how Finns perceive the countryside. The study is a continuation of the surveys conducted in the Landmarks Programme of the Finnish Innovation Fund (Sitra) in 2009 and 2011. The aim of this part of the survey is to explore the perceptions of business decision-makers, policy-makers, journalists and rural experts about different areas of Finland.

First, respondents were asked what kind of images they had of the countryside and the city. They were also asked how different areas correspond to their perception of the countryside. In addition, they wanted to know how strong the rural/urban identity was perceived by the respondents. Next, the respondents were asked what the countryside means to them today and what the countryside is likely to mean in 10 years' time. They were also asked to assess how the meaning of rural areas will change in the future.

Then respondents were presented with future scenarios for the countryside and asked which of them best reflected their hopes for the future of the countryside and how they thought things would be in 2035. They were also asked about climate change and its relationship to rural areas and trends in rural development.

Further statements were made on current rural issues and the most urgent rural development needs. Businesses and entrepreneurship were addressed by asking respondents to assess the development of business opportunities in different sectors in rural areas and by making statements on the overall development of entrepreneurship. In addition, specific statements were made on rural entrepreneurship and respondents were asked whether they were or were about to become entrepreneurs in rural areas.

Background variables were, among others, regional information, year of birth, gender, education, occupation status, gross household income, which political party they would vote for, the number of employees in the company, the company's industry, the type of media they represent and their role in the media they represent.