MTK's project, which solved the seasonal labor crisis during the coronavirus pandemic, competes for the award of the best project in Europe - public voting is now open

The Finnish countryside faced a surprising challenge in the COVID-19 crisis. After the borders were closed, the country lacked 16,000 seasonal workers. The KoroKausi project led by MTK set out to solve the challenge, and it was central to ensuring that the farms got enough employees. The project has been noticed internationally and is now competing for the award for the best rural project in Europe.

- I am happy that our project was able to help a vast number of farms survive the crisis and continue even stronger after the Covid, says Marko Mäki-Hakola, MTK's forest director who was responsible for the project. 

During the pandemic, Finland was in many ways in an exceptional situation. As the disease raged, food production and security of supply raised concerns. After the borders were closed, there was a surprising societal situation, where 16,000 seasonal workers were missing from the countryside. In the crisis, MTK quickly received project funding for the rural program and together with a company name Töitä Suomesta Oy (Work in Finland), which was founded to solve the crisis, started to procure labor for the farms. Labor was recruited from Finland with the help of a wide network. In addition, MTK created a covid-safe charter flight model and organized numerous charter flights from Ukraine.

- There was a great distress on the Finnish farms in the spring of 2020, but by means of this project, help was quickly arranged. The key to success was smooth cooperation between organizations and authorities. In particular, the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was extremely important, recalls Mäki-Hakola.

The KoroKausi project is one of the Agricultural and Rural Inspiration Awards finalists. The results of the competition will be decided in Brussels on December 4. - The project was exceptional, the place in the final is a tribute to all those who were involved in solving the seasonal work crisis. Everyone willing to do so can vote for the project during November, says Mäki-Hakola.

• Website for voting

Additional information:

Marko Mäki-Hakola

Forest director

+358 20 413 3701

+358 40 502 6810