In the Botnia-Atlantica project Lystra Sweden and Finland jointly developed further the World Heritage Site High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago to enhance the accessibility and attractiveness of the sites for inhabitants, entrepreneurs and visitors. The aim was to get more visitors without jeopardizing sustainable development, enhance the understanding of the World Heritage Value and to produce a high-class knowledge-basis for an efficient management.

Expert organizations SGU (Swedish Geological Survey), GTK (Geological Survey of Finland) and FGI (Finnish Geospatial Research Institute) used the latest scientific findings, laser scannings and field observations for updating the knowledge basis of the World Heritage Site. Field investigations took place in 2018.

The total budget of the project was 1.38 million € and it was financed to 60% by the European Regional Development Fund. The project ran for three years, 1.1.2018–31.12.2020.

Project owner: Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland

Beneficiaries: Geological Survey of Finland GTK, Finnish Geospatial Research Institute FGI, The City of Vaasa, County Administration Board of Västernorrland, the Geological Survey in Sweden

Co-financing partners: the municipalities of Kramfors and Örnsköldsvik, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia, Association of the World Heritage Site Kvarken Archipelago and Visit Vaasa.

Further information:

World Heritage Coordinator Malin Henriksson, Parks & Wildlife Finland, tel. +358 40 193 5775; malin.henriksson@metsa.fi

• https://highcoastkvarken.org/about-us/world-heritage-projects/