Ii Resident of the Year and Environmental Award
Nominate a person from Iiilä and the recipient of the Environmental Award 2026
Nominations for the 2026 Iilan of the Year and the Environmental Award recipient can be submitted during 9.3.-22.3.26 online form or alternatively a paper form at Ii and Kuivaniemi libraries.
Suggest a recipient using these online forms:
The title of Ii Resident of the Year has been awarded since 2002 to a person who was born, lives or works in Ii, and who, through their work, activities or achievements, has made Ii known, promoted the image of the municipality or significantly influenced the development of the municipality.
The Environmental Award can be given to an actor who has, through his actions, promoted, for example, the safety and comfort of the living environment, the preservation of building traditions, the protection of nature and landscapes, the sustainable use of natural resources, energy conservation, the preservation of biodiversity, etc., an important goal for sustainable development. The recipient of the award can be a private person, a company, an association, an organization or another actor. The recipient of the award can also be an actor external to Ii, but the activity, event or product must be significantly related to Ii.
The Iilin of the Year will be announced at the main celebration of the Homeland Week on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The recipient of the Environmental Award will be announced at the IlmastoAreena on Friday, June 12, 2026.
Previous award winners
The Ili resident of 2025 is Lasse Rasinkangas
Teacher, musician and youth advocate Lasse Rasinkangas works as a development teacher for degree-preparatory education (TUVA) in Ii. He guides and supports young people of compulsory school age who do not yet have a place to study.
- 2024 Antti J. Leinonen, 2023 Ari Alatossava, 2022 Hannu Kaisto, 2021 Raimo Ikonen.
- 2020 Jenni Räinä, 2019 Riitta Räinä, 2018 Katja Körkkö, 2017 Risto Tolonen, 2016 Johanna Niskanen, 2015 Esa Hiivala, 2014 Oili Kaleva, 2013 Petri Yrjölä, 2012 Matti Haatainen, 2011 Antti Hyry.
- 2010 Erkki Paaso, 2009 Leo Tervonen, 2008 Tapani Ruotsalainen, 2007 Juhamatti Aaltonen, 2006 Unto Kukka, 2005 Väinö Klasila, 2004 Tuure Leinonen, 2003 Sanna Koivisto, 2002 Tanja Kari.
Environmental Award 2023
Olli Dahl, Chairman of the Kuivaniemi Association. Long-term and systematic work to improve the condition of the Kuivaniemi River and its surrounding waters. Dahl has promoted the responsible use and management of fish stocks. Under Dahl's leadership, the Kuivaniemi Association is also actively involved in the renovation of the region's tourism and recreation areas and in improving accessibility.
- 2021: Juhani Malo, a geothermal entrepreneur from Ii, who has promoted the use of local energy.
- 2020: Anita Sievänen, who, together with the Pohjois-Ii village association, has steered Hiastinhaara into one of Ii's most popular local nature destinations and has activated the municipality's residents towards nature, a source of well-being. The municipal board also awarded the Ii parish an honorary mention for its long-term environmental work. Among other things, the parish has changed the energy use of its properties to renewable energy, takes care of its valuable cultural landscapes and actively trains its personnel in environmental matters.
- 2019: Antti J. Leinonen, in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, has highlighted the relationship between humans and nature and the work against climate change locally, nationally and globally. His work has been published in many Finnish media outlets – his work can be seen on television, in newspapers and in magazines. Leinonen is a member of the board of KulttuuriKauppila and the artistic director of the Valto Pernu Photo Marathon.
- 2018: Paula Suutari, promoted localism and the preservation of the cultural environment by influencing the relocation of the Iijoki floating accommodation building located in Niittysaari to Huilingi museum and café use.
- 2017: Sanna Koivisto, promotes the preservation of natural resources and the cultural environment, as well as human rights and values, through her works and teaching activities.
- 2016: Juho Tauriainen, organizing a community cleaning project to improve the appearance and amenity of the municipal area.
