Developing water transport in Pielinen is one of the priorities for North Karelia for 2024 and is part of the Koli Tourism Vision 2050 measures of the City of Lieksa and the Municipality of Juuka. Developing water transport enables new business opportunities, especially for the tourism industry, as tourists can be offered a variety of experiences during their vacation. Tourism companies in the Pielinen basin can use water transport connections to market their own services and travel packages, and vice versa, if the transport were to be organized at least partially on market terms. Water transport connections make Koli's tourism services more accessible, as tourists have a smooth travel chain from other public transport to Koli. A shore plan has been completed for the Ruunaa hiking area, which enables the development of tourism in Ruunaa. This further strengthens the connection between the Koli and Ruunaa tourism areas. Regular water transport connections would also have positive effects on the business life of Lieksa's city center, as residents and tourists in the Koli area can more easily use the services in the municipal center. In addition, the Lieksa urban area expands as a commuting area for Koli tourism companies when the time spent on commuting is shortened. The above development is only possible if the water transport infrastructure allows it. Currently, for example, port and pier structures do not allow regular, scheduled traffic between Koli and Vuonislahti for more than one vessel. There are also other shortcomings in the port structures of Koli and Vuonislahti that prevent ship traffic and thus the development of water transport in Pielinen. The city of Lieksa has investigated the investment needs related to ferry traffic port structures and other infrastructure and scheduled development steps as follows: 1. The measures of the investment application now being applied for aim to develop port structures so that cruise traffic and other development of water transport from Koli is possible. In addition, a light traffic safety improvement package will be implemented for Koli harbor. 2. During this investment project City of Lieksa will prepare the more detaild plans for next investments needed for urgent investments. 3. In parallel with the investment project, a study will be carried out on ferry traffic operating models to ensure what investments are needed to start ferry traffic operations. The study will be carried out using the resources of the Lieksa New Growth (PÄRM) project. 4. The investment package will be two-three-part and funding for the second package will be applied in the autumn. Funding for the investments to start car ferry connection will be continued when the operating model, the required vessel type and the investments required for them (e.g. Vuonislahti harbor) become clear. The investment package now being applied for is the starting shot for the development of the basic infrastructure required for Pielinen water transport.