Healthforest – a pilot project in Ostrobothnia is a pilot project, funded by the European Social Fund and carried out by Centria University of Applied Sciences and Novia University of Applied Sciences. The project’s objective is to increase the municipalities’ use of health forest activities and nature-based interventions proactively in the Welfare Area to promote occupational health and resilience.  

The project is a pilot project, which aims to test and evaluate new models to proactively promote occupational health through nature-based interventions. Within the project, we test and evaluate nature-based interventions that can benefit and later possibly be developed to be used by staff within the Ostrobothnian municipalities who work preventively with health issues, as well as staff within social and health care / the Ostrobothnian Welfare Area.  

The pilot project includes four work packages: 1) Inspirational afternoons for staff in the welfare area where the health forest concept is tested and evaluated as a tool for own recovery and occupational health. 2) Inspirational afternoons for the pilot municipality’s staff with information, practical tips about nature-based interventions and how to use nature-based activities for recovery and occupational health. 3) Plan, test and evaluate a continuing education module around health forest activities and nature-based interventions with an emphasis on occupational health-promoting effects. 4) Plan a larger main project based on the results of the pilot project to further develop models and promote the use of health forest activities in welfare areas and municipalities. 

Information about the project

Project time: 1.1.2023-31.12.2023 

Project manager: Sara Kåll-Fröjdö (Centria) 

Project area: Ostrobothnia 

Funded by: The European Social Fund / Centre for Economic Development, Transport and Environment in Central Finland