South Savo – a naturally beautiful region of lakes and forests
In South Savo, forests and lakes create a beautiful natural landscape shaped by four distinct seasons. This seasonal rhythm is also reflected in the lives of the region’s 130,000 residents. The heat of summer gives way to autumn colours and rains that refresh the natural world. As winter frosts arrive, snow blankets the landscape, and the warmth of the spring sunshine brings nature to life once again.
South Savo comprises 11 independent municipalities. Its three urban centres are Mikkeli, Savonlinna and Pieksämäki. Water covers 26 per cent of the region’s surface area, and its shoreline stretches for 28,000 kilometres – more than 200 metres per resident. Lake Saimaa, the region’s largest body of water, is the largest lake in Finland and the fourth largest in Europe.
Alongside its clean waters, forests dominate South Savo’s landscape. Forestry land accounts for 86 per cent of the region’s land area. Trees are grown and harvested, and the wood is processed in South Savo, where the forest industry plays a significant role in the regional economy.
South Savo’s natural environment is an important part of its economy, particularly in tourism and food production. Preserving this clean environment is therefore a key objective. The environmental objectives of South Savo’s regional strategy emphasise progress towards climate neutrality, the sustainable use of natural resources and the promotion of renewable energy.
A popular destination for tourism and leisure
Lakes, forests, beautiful scenery, a clean natural environment and warm hospitality make South Savo a popular travel destination. Three national parks extend into the region: Linnansaari, Kolovesi and Repovesi. South Karelia and South Savo are also home to Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark, which has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status.
Tourism accounts for 3.9 per cent of South Savo’s gross domestic product, compared with 2.5 per cent nationwide. The diversity of tourism businesses is a distinctive feature of the region. Rather than large tourism resorts, South Savo has many rural tourism businesses and holiday cottage rental providers, for example.
With its abundant lakes and long shorelines, South Savo has a large number of holiday homes, accounting for 9.1 per cent of the total in Finland. During the summer months, from June to August, the region’s population doubles or even triples, bringing greater diversity and vitality to the local economy.
A diverse economic structure
South Savo’s diverse economic structure makes it inherently resilient. Its 10,300 businesses are mainly micro and small enterprises.
Forests cover 84 per cent of South Savo’s land area. Agriculture and forestry account for 8 per cent of its gross domestic product. The region aims to be among the world leaders in several areas of advanced expertise within forestry and business across the forest value chain.
Alongside mechanical wood processing, the technology industry is a major employer in South Savo. The region’s traditional industries include strong concentrations of businesses, such as engineering workshops and manufacturers of plastic products.
South Savo has specialist expertise in digital information management supported by international networks. Disruptive digital technologies have been identified as a priority for development.
Food, forests and water as development priorities
Forests, food and water are the development priorities of the South Savo region.
The Smart Specialisation Strategy 2026–2029 builds on South Savo’s recognised strengths: forests, water, food, tourism, and digital economy. Cross-cutting themes in all activities are: climate change adaptation and mitigation, entrepreneurship and competitiveness, comprehensive security, skills and competence, and well-being.
The clusters of South Savo further the Smart Specialisation Strategy of South Savo through concrete measures. The networks of companies, RDI organisations and other stakeholders working in the same field innovate and develop new smart and sustainable products around the strengths of South Savo. They drive growth and internationalisation in the region.
South Savo’s three clusters
South Savo’s water cluster, Blue Economy Mikkeli (BEM), EcoSairila, is at the top of water sector. BEM is a centre of excellence in blue bioeconomy, specialising in the circular economy of water management, water purification, digitalisaton, RDI, and training services.
South Savo Food Cluster is a network of primary producers, food processors, research and education organisations, food retailers and food service providers. The cluster aims to increase expertise, networking and internationalisation in the sector and to create an ecosystem for creating new innovations and lifelong learning.
Memory Campus is a knowledge management cluster operating in Mikkeli, which develops expertise in archiving, digitization, and digitalization by utilizing the latest technologies in research and education. Rooted in Mikkeli’s strong heritage in archiving and digitisation, the cluster works to improve data reliability and support a sustainable digital and green transition.