How do you turn 39 grassroots ideas into a seamless, year-round experience pathway that draws people back to Mallusjoki again and again? The Go Mallusjoki! Ideathon (24 July 2025) did exactly that by co-creating a seasonal visitor journey that blends culture, nature, learning, and community spirit, while laying foundations for a scalable and sustainable rural model aligned with PoliRuralPlus. Scalable digital support tools, such as an engaging local community calendar and map tools, will be developed further in the next PoliRuralPlus pilots to support the path. Here you find an annual experience concept based on the Go Mallusjoki! Ideathon:

Spring sets the tone with discovery and calm. A “Get to Know Mallusjoki” bus tour introduces local producers and services, while retreat hikes invite quiet reflection in the forests. Heritage takes centre stage with the Old-Time Wedding, a living museum of local tradition that could become a signature annual celebration. Digital layers support the experience: a virtual map for pre-event exploration and AI-assisted recommendations for reflective stops and gentle routes.

Summer is joyous and active. Cycling around Mallusjärvi links art stops and nature points with QR-guided stories. On the lake, water supports a playful floating arena. A local food festival brings producers and young cooks together, while board-game and clean-up days fuse culture, volunteering, and pride of place. Youth-led events—from K-pop to cosplay keep the programme fresh and inclusive.

Autumn leans into learning and co-development. A Future Forum, supported by simulation tools, invites residents to debate near-future scenarios. AR-enhanced excursions to historical sites spark curiosity, and the school anchors an integrated learning path that links pupils with local services through a playful, map-based platform. Practical services—from mobile shops to themed courses—meet people where they are.

Winter blends warmth and safety. Shrovetide festivities unite the village, the frozen lake becomes a stage for skating and ice fishing, and a school day on rescue dogs turns safety into a memorable learning experience. Senior-friendly sauna transport, a “wellbeing pub” for low-threshold gatherings, and forest-yoga lean-tos keep spirits high through the darker months.

Threaded throughout are shared enablers: a regional wellbeing app, a common event calendar, and AI-supported coordination. Together, they transform ideas into itineraries and itineraries into habit, helping Mallusjoki model an inclusive, digitally enabled rural activity ecosystem that others in Finland and beyond can adapt.

The Go Mallusjoki! Ideathon received funding from the PoliRuralPlus project, which is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under a grant agreement No 101136910.