Vitality of Our Region
Everything we do – or choose not to do – affects us directly. We reap what we sow. That’s why, here at PKO, we work every day to build a more vibrant and thriving North Karelia. It benefits each and every one of us.
What makes a vibrant shopping cart?
We believe that every North Karelian has the right to receive high-quality and reliable local services in their home region. We want to make our customers’ everyday life easier by offering as many different services as possible under the same roof. This saves both your time and the environment. At PKO, we invest in a wide and diverse selection, and your preferences help us shape it. When making choices, we always prioritize locally produced food and goods. We work to help local producers remain competitive, as that is the guarantee of a vibrant North Karelia. Above all, we want to make sure your shopping cart is always the most affordable, with nice co-op member benefits.Cooperation creates vitality
We believe that true progress is only possible through cooperation. That’s why we want to be a significant partner for companies, towns and municipalities in our region. We are actively involved in developing tourism in the Pielinen basin area, together with our partners Koli, Bomba and Ruunaa. By organizing our own events and participating in our partners’ events in our home regions, we want to help create a vibrant and thriving North Karelia. We are also strongly involved in sponsoring North Karelia’s sports and cultural activities. We want to make North Karelia the best place in the world to live. Through cooperative activities, you also have the opportunity to participate and affect the future of your home region. You own us, so you also have the power to decide. If you feel our sustainability efforts aren’t enough, let us know – and let’s do more together.Concrete actions to strengthen the vitality of the region
Since 2005, PKO has invested an average of 17 million € per year in our region. Among other things, we have developed parking facilities at Joensuu railway station and the market square, built sports and recreational facilities in Joensuu and Lieksa, improved the region’s grocery retail and fuel distribution network and invested in increasing tourist numbers in Joensuu, Koli, and Bomba in Nurmes.PKO has received the Joensuu City Centre Achievement Award in 2010 for the development of the Sokos Vaakuna block, in 2018 for the construction of the Toriparkki parking facility, and in 2023 for the construction of Joensuu Market Hall. In 2024, PKO was awarded the Nurmes Award for its work in support of the City of Nurmes.Responsible PKO
Responsibility and the Tekosysteemi
At PKO, responsibility means both small and large everyday actions for the benefit of our customers, our region, and the environment.The well-being of our local area, its people, and nature is at the heart of the cooperative model.Even small responsible actions can have a big impact when combined.We call this the Tekosysteemi – our ecosystem of meaningful actions.Work from North Karelia
Promoting Finnish products – especially those from North Karelia – is close to our heart. You can recognize local products by the ‘Work from North Karelia’ (Työtä Pohjois-Karjalasta) label on the shelf edge.
