16.01.2023
Building a Collaborative Platform for Reindeer Husbandry and Wind Power
Open project database
How can we build fair common ground between reindeer herding and wind power projects? Since 2019, actors in the field have been learning from each other, building collaboration, and defining good practices hosted by Akordi, the Reindeer Herders’ Association, and Renewables Finland.
Background
The reindeer herding area is attractive for wind power development due to its sparse population and good wind conditions. However, the same areas are already used for reindeer herding. Tensions have arisen between the two sectors, partly because reindeer herding and its practices are unfamiliar to wind power operators and the special status of reindeer herding is not recognized.
Since 2019, the Reindeer Herders’ Association and Renewables Finland (formerly known as The Finnish Wind Power Association) have been building a systematic dialogue with the support of Akordi to address tensions between the sectors. The initiative arose from discussions between the associations and Akordi when it was recognized that effective collaboration is essential for the sustainable coordination of the sectors.
Key actions
2020–2022: The process begins with informal exploratory talks and core group discussions to formulate meaningful collaboration objectives from the perspective of both sectors. Field visits to reindeer herding cooperatives and wind farms are organized, as well as the first broad annual meetings to discuss for example information exchange, early communication, and the prevention, mitigation, and compensation of harmful impacts. The main objective is to get to know each other, strengthen dialogue and increase mutual understanding.
2023–2024: A jointly created operating model report is published. It highlights the views, wishes, and needs of both sectors regarding good practices in the various stages of the wind power process. The operating model is implemented through trainings, among other things. Cooperation is developed towards a long-term collaborative platform aimed at enabling information exchange, negotiation and proactive problem solving between the actors. Annual joint meetings also continue.
2025-: The activities of the collaborative forum become established, expand, and take on new forms. Annual meetings continue, and collaboration is intensified through regional gatherings at the level of reindeer herding districts and reindeer herding cooperatives. At these meetings reindeer herders and project developers in the area come together to share information on the most critical areas for reindeer, find solutions for assessing cumulative impacts, and identify ways to compensate for harmful impacts. The role of restoration in compensating for harms on reindeer herding is also discussed in a webinar, and effective practices developed through collaboration are disseminated through training for a wider target group.
Results
A dialogue and collaboration process with significant impact has been successfully established between the wind power sector and reindeer herding. A permanent forum for collaboration between the sectors has been established, with over 100 people already involved.
The actors consider the most important achievement to be that collaboration has increased mutual understanding between the sectors. Tensions between the sectors have been eased by facilitating constructive encounters, taking the time to address difficult issues and getting to know each other. A shared understanding of the practices of both sectors and their impact on each other has been built together. Increased trust and effective communication have made it possible to find solutions.
Whereas previously there were disputes over individual projects, now jointly agreed practices have been developed and implemented. Essential preconditions and needs have been identified, and recommendations for the planning and operation of wind power projects in reindeer herding areas have been decided together. A jointly prepared operating model report was published in January 2023. In addition, the development of new operating methods has been initiated, for example to improve the quality of cumulative impact assessments and to utilize restoration measures to compensate for harmful impacts.
The process to that date and its effectiveness were assessed in the report Getting to know each other and getting along, published in November 2023. According to the assessments received, the most significant aspects of the work carried out so far in terms of collaboration and trust-building have been the trust-building contacts between actors, carefully prepared and implemented interaction situations, and the increase in shared knowledge and understanding.
The latest publication related to the collaboration is the final report of the POROTUULI project. Its recommendations emphasize genuine communication, openness of information, cultural sensitivity, clear compensation, regional planning and the provincial level, the definition of no-go areas, simultaneous effects, and consideration of the resources of reindeer herders.
The collaboration has also received media attention and the process has been presented internationally, for example at the Nordic reindeer herding conference in February 2025. This long-term collaboration forum built on neutral ground offers a promising example of a conflict-preventing and conflict-resolving operating model that can ensure a fair energy transition. Akordi was awarded the 2023 Wind Power Award for its work as a mediator in the collabtion between the herders and the wind power companies.
More about the stages of collaboration and lessons learned can be read here in Finnish.
Akordi’s News ja Blogs in English:
30.1.2025 The Western Reindeer Herding District and wind energy companies met in cooperation on 27-28 January
1.12.2023 Wind Power Meets Reindeer Husbandry – Recognition as Basis for Just Energy Transition
16.1.2023 Pioneering Collaboration Between Reindeer Husbandry and Wind Power Industry
Akordi’s News ja Blogs in Finnish:
Poronhoidon & tuulivoiman välisen vuoropuhelun ja yhteistyön rakentaminen -prosessikuvaus
1.4.2025 Webinaari: Tuulivoima poronhoitoalueella – ennallistaminen kompensaation keinona
2.2.2024 Akordi sai vuoden 2023 Tuulivoimateko-palkinnon: ”Vihreä siirtymä ei ole ilmoitusasia”
15.11.2021 Tuulivoiman ja poronhoidon yhteensovittamisesta keskusteltiin Rovaniemellä
Publications in Finnish:
Jokinen, M., Oinonen, K., Kumpula, J. & Sanaksenaho, V. 2025. Tuulivoimatuotannon kestävä sopiminen ja suunnittelu poronhoitoalueella. Luonnonvara- ja biotalouden tutkimus 53/2025. Luonnonvarakeskus. Helsinki. 52 s.
Luoma, Emma & Kangasoja, Jonna (2023). Tullaan tutuiksi ja tullaan toimeen – Yhteistoiminnallisten toimintatapojen vaikutuksen tuulivoiman paikalliselle hyväksyttävyydelle poronhoitoalueella. Akordi Oy julkaisuja.
Tuulivoimahankkeiden suunnittelu ja operointi poronhoitoalueella – tuulivoima-alan ja poronhoidon näkemys hyvistä käytännöistä. Akordi Oy julkaisuja.
News and Media in Finnish and Sámi:
Ympäristöministeriön tiedote 29.11.2023: Selvitys: Näin tuulivomahankkeissa rakennetaan yhteistyötä poronhoitoalueella
YLEn uutinen 16.1.2023: Tuulivoima-ala ja poronhoitajat kyllästyivät riitelyyn oikeudessa ja istuivat samaan pöytään
Lapin kansa 16.1.2023: Tuulivoiman ja porotalouden ristiriitojen ratkaisemiseen koottiin lista parhaista käytännöistä
YLE Sámi 16.1.2023: Boazoealáhus ja bieggafápmoindustriija geahččalit buoridit gulahallama ođđa doaibmamálliin
