South Savo is a rural region of Finland where national law allows everyone to fish and pick wild berries, herbs, and mushrooms regardless of land ownership. It is a legal concept known as “Everyman’s Right.” Wild berries and mushrooms, as well as wild-caught fish, are cornerstones of the traditional regional and national diet.

Picking berries and fishing are traditional Finnish pastimes, and it is thus culturally important to transfer this knowledge to new generations. Forestry also plays an important role in South Savo's identity and economic structure. While forests are well managed, there is a need for younger generations to work in the sector to sustain its future.

A Rural Development Programme project was conceived to take advantage of natural resources and traditions in the region. It had a special focus on young people at risk of social exclusion, including younger men, who statistically face a higher risk of social exclusion in Finland.

This traditional skills training project aimed to boost employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people. Digital materials would be produced on traditional skills and knowledge of natural products to facilitate inter-generational knowledge transfers and inspire new generations to work in the natural products sector. Other key aims involved increasing the target group’s well-being by spending time in nature.

Project training sessions were organised in nature, allowing young participants to learn new skills concretely in the actual environment. Courses were organised in the following topics: Trap fishing, Seine fishing for vendace, Ice fishing for salmon, Fish processing, Wild herb training, Wild mushroom picking (participants completing the course successfully received a picking permit for commercial purposes), Wild berry processing (e.g. berry soap and berry jam), Forest Days and forestry training, Seedling stand management training, Training workplace skills, and an Advanced business course for entrepreneurs on product commercialisation.

Communication and information sharing were an ongoing part of the project's activities and were implemented for all training programmes. Information about the training project was promoted regularly in both traditional and digital channels, including at events, schools, youth facilities, hobby groups, and via local media. Social inclusion was prioritised to help ensure that all young people could participate. Videos had an important role in the project’s communication campaigning.

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