The Metsä360 Award is rewarded to a solution, act or innovation that increases the added value of forests. Candidates for the award in 2024 are Puuppolan Suksi PUSU, the Finnish Forest Museum Lusto and Uute Scientific. The candidates were elected by an expert panel of LUT University and the Kolli Foundation.
In Finland, Puuppolan Suksi, or PUSU, crafts modern downhill skis from wood and wood-based materials by hand. Located in Punkaharju, the Finnish Forest Museum Lusto is the national museum responsible for forest culture. It strengthens people’s relationship with the forest and increases the societal impact of forest culture. Uute Scientific has introduced the Re-Connecting Nature microbial extract which strengthens immune defence and is applied in industries such as cosmetics.
“This year's finalists are proof of the enormous potential of our forests. Forests are one of Finland’s most important natural resources, and this is why discussions should focus on finding resolutions rather than engaging in conflict,” says Kolli Foundation’s representative, Esko Kolli, recipient of the Finnish honorary title ‘teollisuusneuvos’.
Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation and LUT University collaborate on the Metsä360 Award for the fifth time. In 2023, the award was won by Arbonaut, a company that charts information on forest resources.
Young people’s Metsä360 competition attracted a record number of participants
The award is accompanied by the Metsä360 competition, aimed at pupils in grades 7–9 of basic education. This year, a record number of participants, nearly 50 groups across Finland, have registered for the competition. As their competition entry, the young people produce a video in which they describe what the forest means to them. A total of EUR 6,000 is allocated to the top three of the competition.
“Young people are the ones who will come up with innovations and resolve challenges in the future. It is important for the future of the forest sector and society as a whole that we support the formation of young people’s relationship with forests. The Metsä360 competition is our way of encouraging young people to go to the forest and describe what it means to them,” says Mari Kallioinen-Mänttäri, Dean of LUT University.
The winners of both the award and the youth competition will be announced on 18 November at an event organised at LUT University’s Lahti campus.
Marjatta and Eino Kolli Foundation and LUT University presented the Metsä360 Award for the first time in 2020. The award honours the legacy and lifelong dedication to forests of the visionary Eino Kolli (1925–2016), recipient of the Finnish honorary title ‘teollisuusneuvos’. The award is part of the extensive cooperation between LUT University and the Kolli Foundation, which aims at increasing the added value of Finnish forests and supporting the growth of a responsible bioeconomy.
Lisätietoja:
Mari Kallioinen-Mänttäri
Tilaa Curious People -uutiskirje
Tilaamalla uutiskirjeemme saat sähköpostiisi noin 1–2 kertaa kuukaudessa luettavaa tutkimuksestamme puhtaaseen energiaan, ilmaan ja veteen sekä kestävään liiketoimintaan liittyen.
