Impact Innovators Forum 2.0
Join us in building the foundations for impactful and sustainable entrepreneurship in Lapland! The Impact Innovators Forum 2.0 brings together actors from Lapland to develop solutions that support responsible and impactful business. The goal of the day is to create a shared understanding of how social enterprises can serve as building blocks for vitality in Lapland.
Date & Time: Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Registration desk opens at 8:30 AM
Location: The event will be held in a hybrid format.
-
- On-site: Lapland University of Applied Sciences (Lapin AMK), Borealis Auditorium, Jokiväylä 11, Rovaniemi. More detailed arrival instructions below.
- Online: Via Microsoft Teams
On-site registration is closed. You can join the event remotely. Please register to receive the connection link.
We warmly welcome everyone interested in social entrepreneurship, including decision-makers, public authorities, regional developers and funders, educators, students, and job seekers.
The event offers networking opportunities for existing social enterprises as well as national actors who are building the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Finland.
Program
NOTE: The seminar will be held mainly in Finnish.
| 8:30–8:55 | Registration |
| 9:00 | Welcome to the seminar: background and objectives Project Manager, RYHTI project |
| 9:05 | Official opening words and greetings (pre-recorded) Katri Kulmuni, Member of the European Parliament |
| 9:10 | Social entrepreneurship in Finland and around the world Kaisu Puumalainen, LUT University |
| 9:25 | Social entrepreneurship in numbers Tarja Asilainen, Regional Coordinator for Lapland and Kainuu, Centre of Expertise for Social Enterprises |
| 9:45 | How do regional strategies support social entrepreneurship? Kaarina Mäcklin, Senior Specialist, EU relations, Regional Council of Lapland |
| 10:05 | International greeting: Models and forms of social entrepreneurship Online: Yvonne von Friedrichs, Professor, MERSE project |
| 10:30 | Keynote: Stories and Statistics: The Power of Social Enterprise in Scotland Online: Ella Camille, International Partnerships Manager, Social Enterprise Academy |
| 10:50 | BREAK |
| 11:20–12:00 | Workshop: Models to support social entrepreneurship Introduction to the theme: Ia Poikulainen, Development Manager, ARVO, The Finnish Association of Social Enterprises Workshop facilitator: Anzelika Krastina & Pia-Maria Lausas |
| 12:00–13:00 | Lunch |
| 13:00 | Lapland’s social handprint – towards a fully sustainable local economy Marko Palmgren, Senior Specialist, Lapland UAS |
| 13:30 |
Panel discussion: Social enterprises – the driving force behind Lapland’s vitality? The panel will discuss how social enterprises can strengthen Lapland’s vitality. The discussion will focus on the role of social enterprises in Lapland’s development and employment; what concrete measures and cooperation models are needed? In addition to measures and cooperation models, the discussion will consider the opportunities that social entrepreneurship brings to the region. Panelists: Seppo Selmgren, Coordinator, Change of ownership, Lapin yrittäjät |
| 14:30 |
Discussion: Is Osuuskauppa Arina a social enterprise? Guest: Katja Savilakso, Manager of Prisma Rovaniemi |
| 15:30 | Event ends |
Practical Information
Arrival
The Borealis Auditorium is located on the Lapland University of Applied Sciences Rovaniemi campus, about 2 km from the city center. You can reach the venue by walking, cycling, public transport, or by car. There are parking areas near the campus.
Borealis-auditorium is located B-building. Easiest way to access is use Main entrance as the Borealis is located next to it. You can check the map from here.
Accessibility
The event space is accessible. If needed, staff will assist in finding a suitable route.
Catering
Coffee and light snacks will be available during the day. Lunch is at your own expences. Lunch at your own expense. Lunch is available at the Tekuila student restaurant.
Cancellations
If you are unable to attend, please let us know in advance so we can offer your spot to someone else. Cancellations should be sent to Sofia Tuovinen: sofia.tuovinen (at) ulapland.fi.
Participant Reporting
The event is organized as part of the RYHTI project, which is funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). Regulations require the data controller to report the number of participants in EU-funded projects to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment via the EURA 2021 information system. Registration is done through VAHVA authentication (mobile certificate or bank credentials). The data is reported only in aggregate form, and individual participants cannot be identified from the reported data.
Registration takes place in the EURA 2021 system or by scanning the QR code below.
Project code: S30389
Register for the event!
Participation in the event is free of charge, but requires advance registration.
Register via QR code or this link
Future Impactors Event
Lapland UAS, Lobby
Alongside the seminar, students are hosting the Future Impactors Event, an engaging and interactive session where you can challenge your thinking on sustainability and future solutions. The event features discussion corners, interactive tasks, and creative ways to share ideas and experiences about sustainability. Join us to get inspired and make an impact!
