Riihimäki, Loppi and Hausjärvi are launching a survey to strengthen the region's vitality cooperation

The city of Riihimäki and the municipalities of Lope and Hausjärvi are looking for ways to strengthen their mutual cooperation. The goal of the survey is to find ways to develop and consolidate cooperation in the Riihimäki region's vitality and business policy.

The regional leadership group, consisting of the leaders of the municipalities of Riihimäki, Lope and Hausjärvi, as well as the chairmen of the boards and councils, has jointly decided to carry out the preliminary study. The report, carried out by MDI, a consulting firm specializing in regional development, will be completed by the end of 2024.

"The municipalities of the Riihimäki region have cooperated over the years both in business policy and tourism marketing. At the beginning of next year, the cooperation will take new steps, when the Etelä-Häme employment area starts operating. Now is a good time to look at and think about other ways of connecting," says Riihimäki City Manager Jouni Eho.

The Etelä Häme employment area consists of the city of Riihimäki and the municipalities of Hausjärvi, Janakkala and Lope.

"The field of regional development has been in quite a bit of turmoil in recent years. In order for the good development of the Riihimäki region and the positive momentum of regional cooperation to grow stronger than at present, a preliminary report is a welcome opening for discussion," says Timo Heinonen, chairman of Lope's municipal board and chairman of the Riihimäki regional management group.

With the help of the survey, Riihimäki, Loppi and Hausjärvi will get information about the current state of regional cooperation, the municipalities' expectations and wishes for cooperation, the vitality of the region, and a list of measures that could best be used to strengthen regional cooperation. In addition, national best practices for organizing regional cooperation will be determined.

The regional management group acts as the steering group for the survey work. MDI's work is supported by a working group that includes Riihimäki Mayor Jouni Eho, Vitality Director Anna-Riitta Kujala, Communications and Marketing Manager Mia Miettinen, CEO of Riihimäki Tilat ja Kehitys Oy Samuel Koivisto, Lope Municipal Manager Mikko Salmela and Hausjärvi Municipal Manager Pekka Määttänen.