The Tóchar Midlands Wetland Restoration project through the European Commission’s Just Transition Platform peer-exchange programme hosted an exchange visit from Just Transition territories in Finland in March 2025. The journey began with a conversation at the Just Transition Platform conference in Brussels last year, where Irish and Finnish representatives discussed common challenges and opportunities for communities and landowners. These discussions inspired the successful application to the peer-exchange programme. The purpose of the exchange was to further these discussion and to knowledge transfer and best practices for restoring peatlands in areas transitioning away from peat extraction.

The Just Transition territories from Finland, included representatives from South and Central Ostrobothnia and the sub region of Kaustinen, home to vast areas of peatlands in Finland’s Just Transition region.

The Finnish delegation had a busy two days visiting a range of sites in the Irish Midlands. There was a strong focus on involving as many Irish stakeholders as possible.Their first stop was to Cloncrow Bog in Tyrellspass with ETHOS representative, Eugene Dunbar who outlined the fantastic restoration that has taken place on the bog while taking in the views from the boardwalk and village trail. The group then proceeded to Clonbeale Bog to meet bog owners, the Grennan family, peat restoration contractor, Brian Gorman and the members of Tullamore Lion’s Club who worked in partnership with the owners to restore 24 hectares of wetlands.

On second day the morning started with a series of interesting presentations from the regional participants. There was a valuable exchange knowledge and best practices for restoring peatlands in areas transitioning away from peat extraction.

This initiative is part of the European Commission’s Just Transition Platform peer-exchange programme. The afternoon brought the group on final last field tip to Killaun Bog guided by local expert, John Feehan.

A fascinating connection exists between Finland’s landscape and culture. The Finnish word for Finland, Suomi, shares its root with suo, meaning swamp or mire, a fitting reflection for a country where one-third of the land is covered by mires and peat. Kaustinen, renowned for its raised bogs, mires, and vibrant cultural heritage, is also famous for its fiddle music and folk festival, with the region’s music inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Recognising the deep bond between culture and nature, Tóchar is committed to exploring how cultural identity influences our relationship with peatlands and wetlands. The Tóchar team are now working on an application for a reciprocal visit to Finland in Autumn to continue to build on this cultural and environmental partnership with our Just Transition colleagues in Finland.

This video, by exchange participant, Terhi Kophi encapsulates the essence of the exchange wonderfully.