Transition requires conflicts and conflict management skills

Akordi’s view is that conflicts are always present in one way or another when striving to move from the old to the new. Conflicts are an inevitable symptom of change and reveal what is important to us. Conflicts also catalyze the energy of the actors involved. At its best, conflict can be an impetus that brings the parties together to seek and find new solutions and a better common path forward.

When they escalate, conflicts can be destructive for all parties. On a global level, it is clear that if the green transition fails, global warming will accelerate and everyone will lose. The success of the sustainability transition requires conflict anticipation and joint problem solving. That is why Akordi made a major effort this year to train key players in the green transition. A total of 124 people participated in the training. In addition, expert lectures were opened to all interested parties in three courses, and they have already been viewed more than 250 times.

During 2025, we organized eight free courses in different parts of Finland: in Oulu, Pudasjärvi, Vaasa, Sodankylä, and four times in Helsinki. Bringing the training days closer to the participants was certainly one of the factors that influenced their enthusiasm for participating and their commitment to the training. The different courses also covered various themes, such as the hydrogen value chain, critical minerals, wind power in reindeer herding areas, and specific issues related to the sustainability transition in the Sámi homeland. The fact that the training was held throughout the year (March to November) meant that students who had participated in previous courses could recommend the training to their colleagues. Participants from one company attended three different courses, encouraged by their colleagues.

The course series Strategic Stakeholder Engagement in Clean Transition Projects, funded by the Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment (SECLE), provided participants with a good range of practical tools for anticipating and managing conflicts. The training delved into topics such as preparing for challenging interaction situations, identifying and reconciling interests, and building trust and negotative collaboration.

Direct connection to their own work and a great team carry students to the finish line

The participants found the training particularly useful precisely because it was directly linked to their own work. The teaching during the course days was structured in such a way that the motivation to learn new things arose from the real challenges of each participant’s own work, for which new tools and perspectives were then offered. Many participants reported that the courses had provided them with more versatile working methods, new methods of interaction, insights that broadened their thinking, in-depth scientific research data, a better understanding of their colleagues’ operating models, and other concrete help and food for thought.

“Well-designed training, optimally structured to fit working life, expert lectures, and instructive assignments.”
“A truly inspiring and useful training program that helps me succeed better in my current job, and whose lessons I intend to share with my colleagues.”
“I believe that I will be able to work more constructively in negotiations and stakeholder relations in the future.”

The learning drive arises in the group

The engaging training days combined presentations by trainers, joint discussions, guest speakers, negotiation exercises, and practical sparring sessions. It was inspiring to try out new approaches through interactive exercises and pedagogical debriefing discussions. The varied activities and good team spirit created a buzz of learning, which can be seen in the video compiled from the courses in the spring. The course feedback also highlighted the motivating effect of the diverse and activating working methods.

“The training has a pleasant atmosphere that encourages discussion and listening. The different working methods added variety to the day.”
“A really well-organized program! A nice combination of practice and theory.”
“The content of the program was really great and motivating. The expert speakers were excellent, and the background material was very good and thorough.”

Students both receiving and giving

Based on the applications, a diverse group of about twenty professionals working on clean transition projects was selected for each course.

Most of the more than 120 participants came from renewable energy companies. Land and offshore wind power, solar power, and hydrogen and battery value chains were all represented. In addition, there were participants from network companies, municipalities, municipal development companies, regions, state-owned companies, ministries, and research institutions. Based on the feedback, the multi-perspective approach and richness of different experiences that emerged from the participants during the course were found to be inspiring and to open up new understanding.

“The training was well organized, clearly structured, and provided a rewarding opportunity to deepen my understanding of previous topics in a short period of time. It was also very rewarding to hear about other people’s experiences and thoughts, which gave me a lot to think about in relation to my own work.”
“Thank you for a truly thought-provoking course! The sparring discussions between participants were really good, in addition to the teaching itself.”
“It was refreshing to hear from people in different roles in the same field, such as a project developer and a zoning manager.”

As trainers, we were able to influence the diverse composition of these groups mainly through our cooperation network, which consists of various parties. Through their channels, information about training opportunities was spread to the target groups we wanted to reach.

Group formation and peer learning do not happen by accident

As trainers, we actively planned and supported student networking and group formation, which began on the online training platform even before the face-to-face training days. Getting to know each other was given a lot of importance, and this was also reflected in the use of time: on the morning of the first contact day, each participant introduced themselves to the whole group, after which smaller groups deepened the discussion on the current challenges of each participant’s work. These discussions led to the formation of groups, which was supported not only by exercises but also by the layout of the room.

To ensure openness and a safe atmosphere, we agreed on rules of confidentiality so that everyone could openly share their experiences and learn from each other without the information being spreaded outside the course.

The course participants grew into a community of practice who spread good practices and support each other

The course participants formed a national Community of Practice, based on a common approach, where experiences, advice, and ideas are shared even after the training. Learning and communication will continue through meetings, virtual morning coffee sessions, and in the discussion forum. The goal is to spread good practices in strategic stakeholder engagement in Finland that take into account the local acceptability of the green transition.