Shaping the INACS Platform in Snowy Imatra
The INACS project team recently gathered in Imatra, Finland, for three productive days of workshops and field trips. Exploring the Vuoksi River in freezing conditions, surrounded by frost-covered landscapes, offered a fresh perspective on the unique beauty of South Karelia.
These experiences from learning about the geological birth of the Vuoksi to snowshoeing and sharing stories over coffee in a campfire hut, were more than just fun. They helped us brainstorm how to translate these physical sites into a compelling digital experience. Some of us were even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the northern lights during the crisp, cold night.
Our goal is to build a platform that inspires youth, tourists, and locals to explore these locations and learn about the history and stories connected to them. The first workshop focused on clarifying the different content features of the platform. We brainstormed ideas and benefits the platform could offer, identified the best places and activities to highlight from each partner’s area, and discussed how to present these ideas to different target groups.
On the second day, we focused on finalizing the plan for the youth field trip in May. We mapped out timetables and routes, ensuring every partner is ready to start with the preparations.
We concluded the trip with next steps and task lists. While the planning phase requires deep research and collaboration, working together in person has given us the impact and shared vision we need. We look forward to continuing our work with stakeholders and the development team to bring this platform to life.
INACS – Introduction of Nature and Culture Sites for Locals and Visitors is funded by the Interreg Central Baltic Programme. The project is led by South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) in partnership with Saimaa Geopark (Finland), Gauja National Park Tourism Association (Latvia), Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation (Estonia) and Sigulda Municipality (Latvia). The project will continue until April 2028.
