On March 15, 2020, the international project “30 miles RUSFIN” (KS1831) was launched in the Finnish city of Lappeenranta after signing a multilateral contract.

The project is being implemented within the framework of the cross-border cooperation program for supporting joint projects on the external borders of the EU with funding from the European Union, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Finland RUSSIA – SOUTH EAST FINLAND PS 2014-2020. (https://www.sefrcbc.fi)
On the Russian side, the project involves the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration and the Saint Petersburg regional public organization “ORANIENBAUM SOCIETY SAILING”. From the Republic of Finland — CURSOR OY-Kotka-Hamina region development Agency, which is engaged in improving the region’s competitiveness and ensuring its sustainable economic growth, and the University of applied Sciences of South-Eastern Finland-XAMK.
Sergey Kovalev, project Director of the RANEPA, said:
“the goal of our project is to repeat the success of a similar cooperation between Finland and Estonia, when rings of small ports appeared every 30 miles around the Gulf of Finland. The distance of 30 miles (about 50 km) is considered optimal for tourist yachts, since at an average speed of 5-6 knots it allows you to cover this distance during a day’s journey.
The “30 Miles RUSFIN” project is aimed at developing cross-border yachting, yacht tourism in the Eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, its infrastructure and marketing programs, as well as providing conditions for the development of related businesses, the development of cross-border tourist routes and clusters and creating a favorable atmosphere in the border zone.
This is a development of the North-Western Institute of management, a branch of Ranepa.
Funding provided by Russia, Finland and the European Union is a serious contribution to the real development of our plans, but do not forget that a mandatory condition for participation in the project is 20% funding from the partner. This is a big responsibility! During the thirty months of the project, we have a lot to do, and despite the temporary difficulties associated with the international COVID-19 pandemic, we are confident in our abilities and will cope with the tasks set!»