The departments of the University of Oulu in Kajaani make up an important base with regard to know-how about Russia. Th e implementation of cooperative strategies devised with the Russian parties requires academically educated people with Russian language skills. Already some years ago, there was an initiative made to the University of Oulu about an education programme in relationships, know-how and organisations with the Russians, aimed at a Master’s Degree in Education. An education programme was implemented in the Interreg II A Karelia -programme, which proved popular enough to support the pursuit of a larger education programme. Th e intention of the new project was to meet educational needs by designing, implementing and organising a Master’s programme in the Russian culture and language at the University of Oulu. Th e aim was that the education programme would be accepted as a part of the degree objectives of the University of Oulu and thus included in the basic fi nancing granted by the Ministry of Education. Achievements: A curriculum was designed for the Masters programme in the Russian culture and language in accordance with the plan and was implemented as an education experiment in accordance with conversion education principles, based on the learning material designed in the project. The target of the education was that the students would acquire a deep knowledge of Russian culture, language and teaching as work a well as education work, so that they would have the capabilities to s consultants and transition agents, particularly in pedagogical but also in cultural and other applicable societies and organisations. 21 people were elected for the studies. Altogether 20 students signed in as present, 7 of which were studying for a degree, and the remaining students had primarily wanted to study the Russian culture and language on the academic level. Three of the students studying for a degree graduated during the project. Degrees based on studies during the project will also be completed after the end of the project, hence the final total of completed degrees through the aid of the project will only be available later. 12 students in the programme completed the intermediate studies in the Russian culture and language (35 study weeks) and two completed the basic studies in the Russian culture and language (15 study weeks). Considering the selection criteria of the students, the number of completed study weeks is satisfactory, though restrictive selection might have produced more degrees. The actual choice of courses can be considered good and interesting, and based on this it will be possible to develop an interesting international Masters programme. The education experiment created the basis for development work of Russia-based education in Kajaani. An initiative was made in connection with the project with the Masters programme of the Cultural Industry (conversion education programme financed by the European Social Fund) about starting an additional group in the international, multi-sectoral Masters programme of Cultural Industry and Pedagogy in Kajaani and acquiring permanent resources for the programme. Linking the new Masters programme in Russian culture and language with the Masters programme in Cultural Industry can be considered a significant content-related innovation. Negotiations about the degree administration and the major subject took place with several different universities during the project, but during the project no concrete results were achieved in the negotiations. The activities of the project added to the knowledge of Russia in the region.