About Us
Akordi is Finland’s leading mediator in environmental conflicts and a pioneer in the field.
The field that Akordi has brought to Finland is known as Public Policy Mediation. It refers to assistance provided by a neutral party in resolving disputes concerning public issues, such as the environment or natural resources.
A neutral third party can help the parties to identify the problems to be resolved and possible solutions, and to build a shared path towards achieving them. Based on an assessment of the situation, the mediator can suggest steps in the process, bring the parties together for joint negotiations, and ensure that dialogue and collaborative action are meaningful and legitimate from everyone’s perspective. During the process, the mediator can help the parties to work more effectively and to identify the issues that require closer attention. Therefore, the parties can focus on creative, joint problem-solving.
Akordi was founded in 2013. A multi-perspective advisory group supports our work, and we work closely with the leading international experts in the field. Our practices are strongly research-based, and we are committed to the field’s international ethical principles.
We are a social enterprise, which means that we use our business activities to solve social problems. Our operations are not-for-profit. Akordi is owned by the experts involved in its operations.
You can find out more about our experts under People.
The process of assisted negotiation
Long-lasting solutions are created one step at a time.
First, the situation is clarified from different perspectives by situation assessment. Next, the framework for negotiations is defined together, and a common knowledge base is built so that the problem can be solved in a well-informed manner. After that the process can continue with enabling parties to find solutions that provide mutual gains.
This way the final agreement will be based on consensus reached by a process that was considered fair and inclusive.
