The goal of the project was to increase the small-scale use of wood pellets in heating households, significantly reducing the use of heating oil thereby. Another objective was to initiate pellet heating and production in the Republic of Karelia. The intent of these actions was to exert a desirable multiplier effect on business activity in the pellet industry of East Finland. The project was to implement a renewable energy information point in Joensuu, which would offer pellet heating information particularly for smaller properties. It would function as a centre for cooperation with Russia. In addition, it would be used as a model to be developed for the information point to be later established in Petrozavodsk. The activities of the project would also include piloting pellet heating by entrepreneurs, pellet heating training events and functions, general pellet heating marketing and marketing material production, and promoting pellet industry equipment production. The project was to improve the cooperation preconditions for pellet business activity with Russian Karelia. The nonexistent pellet industry in Russian Karelia was to be launched through expertise and equipment exports. Achievements: An actual renewable information point was not implemented in the project. Instead, the project focused on developing the business activities in the industry. Instead of an information point, consumers were advised using different types of events, direct contact visits, and telephone advisory services. The various theme events organised by the project both in Finland and Russia offered both consumer information and good opportunities for companies that manufacture pellet heating equipment to market their products and services. There was a total of 372 participants at the events. The project arranged training events regarding pellet heating for entrepreneurs, offered information regarding the current situation of pellet production in Petrozavodsk, provided information regarding pellet industry business contacts and production cooperation opportunities, and organised a contact-making trip to Petrozavodsk. The project launched a website at www.pellettikarelia.fi in Finnish and Russian. The project offered advisory services with regard to the pellet business industry, and pellet and bionergy heating to 65 real estates. Of these, 25 were commercial properties. Twelve of the advised real estates selected pellet heating. Pellet production in Russia was started at two locations near Petrozavodsk during the project. In addition, one production facility was opened immediately after the project. The use of pellets for heating was tested during the project at the fi rst property in Petrozavodsk, using a burner designed and manufactured by a project partner. During the project, education in the pellet industry gained a foothold at the Petrozavodsk Technical Vocational Institute in comprehensive education and through a specialty training programme which started in 2007. The material and pellet bulletin used in the seminar of the project was translated into Russian for the school. A separate project was planned to be implemented by Th e State Committee of the Republic of Karelia on Reforming of Housing and Communal Services regarding special training intended for entrepreneurs and facility managers of the industry. The training would develop the ability of entrepreneurs and other professionals to utilise bioenergy. Certification training for pellet installers was developed in Finland during the project.