Situation Analysis, Conflict Assessment and Reports

 

Finding solutions often requires establishing a shared understanding of the situation so that the perspectives, concerns, and interests of the various parties can be understood as part of the bigger picture. It is also often necessary to determine which parties and organizations should be involved, and what the key issues are that should be addressed.

We offer assistance in various situations where additional information or understanding is needed to make the best possible decision – for example, regarding stakeholders’ views or the acceptability of certain actions. We help identify the key issues relevant to the problem at hand, the nature of the relationships among the parties, and how methods of collaboration should be developed. A neutral assessment based on interviews with key stakeholders helps in planning the necessary process and focusing on the right questions.

Building capacity for predicting and managing conflicts between wild animals and humans in Finland

The Natural Resources Institute Finland commissioned Akordi to develop conflict management between humans and wild animals in Finland. The work consisted of an initial round of contacts with administrative experts, an invitation-only workshop, and training for the SusiLIFE project. The work was based…
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Developing interaction between Luke and the large carnivore observers

The joint YTYKE project (Developing cooperation between actors to improve the quality and coverage of large carnivore observation data) between the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and the Finnish Wildlife Agency aims to strengthen cooperation between different actors in the production of large…
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Scaling up the work in anticipating and resolving conflicts in the green transition

The TAH Foundation and the RELEX Foundation have joined forces to fund Akordi, a Helsinki based organization specialised in environmental collaboration and conflict resolution. The main objective of this year-long project launched in June 2025 is to roll out and scale tested and validated procedures…
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Situation assessment of the land use disputes over Joddböle area

At the request of the municipality of Inkoo, Akordi conducted a situation assessment in the summer of 2024 on the disputes surrounding the development of the Joddböle area. A coal-fired power plant previously operated in Joddböle, Inkoo. The area is now used for soil extraction and port operations.…
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Towards results-based systems to mitigate diffuse emissions and promote biodiversity

Results-based models are an option for improving environmental performance. A prerequisite for their use is that impacts can be measured with sufficient accuracy and at reasonable cost. The preliminary study, carried out jointly by Antti Iho (University of Eastern Finland) and Akordi, examines different indicators that could be used in results-based measures for biodiversity, water protection and climate change mitigation and adaptation, and identifies limiting conditions for measurement.
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Study: The pace of the green transition and the quality of environmental procedures : how to combine streamlining, acceptability and environmental protection?

Reducing environmental regulation does not automatically streamline permitting processes, but can have the opposite effect. This is the conclusion of a legal study published by Akordi. Several legislative reforms based on the government's programme aim to speed up the passage of the Green Transition…
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Review: Offsetting the environmental and social impacts of energy projects

The question of how to manage and compensate for the adverse impacts of projects is crucial to the acceptability of the energy transition. The review published by Akordi presents the means identified in the literature to identify and compensate for the adverse effects of projects on nature and social…
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Study: The effectiveness and functionality of the Maritime Spatial Plan in promoting offshore wind power, and strengthening commitment to the Plan

Akordi is participating in a study commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment, which examines the legal background of maritime spatial planning and the current status of drawing up the Plans and their effectiveness.
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Tampere area vision for local train network

Plans to create a local train network for the Tampere urban area are underway. The need and interest for local trains has been identified in agreements on land use, housing and transport (MAL agreements), and in the Tampere region land use plan 2040.  Public transport development also aids the Tampere…
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Balancing Growth, Biodiversity, and Climate Goals in Tampere: A Comprehensive Assessment

Various international climate and nature strategies set targets for urban land use. However, attempting to harmonize the goals of growth, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation presents challenges due to potential conflicting interests. The City of Tampere commissioned Akordi to conduct…
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Assessment of Collaboration Challenges in Vantaa City’s Service Network

Akordi conducted an in-depth situational analysis in the spring of 2023, mapping collaboration challenges relating to the service network in the City of Vantaa City. The primary emphasis of the analysis was to explore the difficulties in cooperation between the different responsible units and individuals…
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Building Common Ground – Wind Power in Reindeer Herding Areas

Akordi, partnering with the Finnish Wind Power Association and the Reindeer Herders’ Association, is conducting a study that delves into the impact of collaborative practices on the local acceptance of wind power in reindeer herding areas beyond the Sámi homeland.
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Fisheries Area Management and Conservation Plans: Conflicts and Opportunities

In 2022, the Finnish Fishermen’s Central Union commissioned Akordi to conduct a comprehensive study into the potential conflict scenarios highlighted in their recent report, including practical considerations for implementation.
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Development Work for Urban Planning in Nurmijärvi

Akordi assisted the city of Nurmijärvi by identifying and harmonizing diverse perspectives concerning the constraints and possibilities for urban planning development.
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The Future Vision of Helsinki’s Public Transportation and Citizen Adaptability

In autumn 2019, the City of Helsinki launched a comprehensive future analysis of its transportation systems. The initiative aims to evaluate how environmental shifts will influence the city's transportation systems and strategize how to prepare for these changes. Akordi conducted an adaptability analysis under the scope of the city’s initiative, which will provide recommendations for navigating these changes in collaboration with residents and other stakeholders.
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The Dicstrict Vision for Herttoniemi

In the spring and summer of 2018, the Herttoniemi district (comprising Western Herttoniemi, Herttoniemenranta, and Roihuvuori) developed its own vision, describing the shared aspirations of various stakeholders in the district for its future and generating ideas on how to achieve this envisioned future. Throughout the process, directions for development of the area were jointly identified, and concrete opportunities for constructive collaboration were explored. The vision process enabled citizens to participate in the long-term planning of their surrounding environment and work together with planning professionals, as well as introducing a new collaborative approach to urban development.
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The Tampere Eteläpuisto Park

In the Spring of 2015, the City of Tampere began an urban planning project involving the Southern Park and its surrounding areas. The project aimed to develop the area through infill construction. Akordi, as a neutral third party, provided assistance between 2015 and 2016 by facilitating discussions and helping resolve conflict in the preliminary meetings of the urban planning project, involving the City of Tampere and key stakeholders, including various resident groups.
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The establishing of the Kvarken archipelago nature conservation area

The establishing process of the Kvarken archipelago nature conservation area has been Finland’s largest environmental conflict resolution process assisted by a neutral third party. The work on the legislation draft has been demanding due to a decades-long history of conflict and a lack of trust…
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Developing a Collaborative Water Monitoring Platform with the Local Community and Mining Companies in Sodankylä

A collaborative water monitoring project is being developed in Sodankylä, Finland, to address concerns about the impact of mining on local waterways. The project, led by Akordi and funded by the Nessling Foundation, involves collaboration between mining companies, the local community, and various stakeholders. The goal is to improve the credibility and clarity of water monitoring data and address information needs beyond legal requirements. The collaborative group aims to create a functional model for joint water impact monitoring, with results to be presented at an open seminar in November 2023.
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Construction of a Collaborative Platform monitoring the Impacts of mining on Water Quality in Sodankylä

The project's objective is to create a collaborative water impact monitoring model with Sodankylä mining companies and local stakeholders and embed it in the local operational culture. The project's outcomes serve as a model for the mining sectors in Finland and the Nordic countries.
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Regional Flood Risk Management Groups

Regional flood risk management groups, established by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, work to minimize flood damages in Finnish riverine and coastal areas identified as flood risk areas. This collaborative work involves public authorities, the private sector, land owners , water rights holders, and third sector organizations. Akordi supported this work in 2019 by training leaders of flood risk management groups in Kymijoki river and the coastlines of Kotka and Hamina. The work also included facilitating workshops.
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Towards shared understanding of the changes in sustainability of forest use

In 2020, The Finnish Cultural Foundation granted a 150,000 euro Argumenta funding to the project “Towards shared understanding of the changes in sustainability of forest use”. The project is coordinated by the University of Jyväskylä School of Resource Wisdom (JYU.Wisdom), the Natural Resources…
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Supporting infrastructure planning in ‘Highway 180 KURKELA-KUUSISTO’ project

Early 2021, ‘Highway 180 KURKELA-KUUSISTO’ project was launched with the aim to improve the highway’s connectivity and safety, and to aid the development of Kaarina’s urban structure and land use planning.
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SWOT analysis of Kokemäenjoki river Water Vision 2050

In summer 2022, Akordi carried out a SWOT analysis to identify the challenges and opportunities with the Kokemäenjoki river Water Vision. Kokemäenjoki river Water Vision 2050 is a common and holistic vision for a desired state of the Kokemäenjoki watershed in 2050. It considers the use of water…
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Iijoki River Visioning Process

A collaborative approach was used to build a shared vision for the future of the Iijoki water system. In addition to the restoration of the migratory fish stocks, the aim of the envisioning work was to address the water quality in the Iijoki basin, and to increase the attractiveness of the area for e.g. tourism and business. The Iijoki River Vision was published in 2018. The Advisory Board will continue to work on planning and prioritizing measures, and new projects, to increase the value of the river. This has already led to several projects improving the status of the river, including conservation and restoration projects.
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Developing land use planning in the city of Lohja

During 2022, Akordi partnered with the City of Lohja to improve the city’s land use planning practices. In order to improve the city’s land use planning practices and intervention was carried out based on Developmental Work Research. The aim of the development process is to improve the planning…
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Preliminary assessment regarding the updating of Finnish national land use guidelines

Akordi was a partner in a preliminary assessment regarding the updating of Finnish national land use guidelines. The assessment was performed in collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland Law School. The national land use guidelines are a planning instrument and system required by…
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Societal acceptance of wind power in Central Finland regional land use plan 2040

Towards the end of 2022, Akordi will carry out an assessment that will support the regional land use planning process of Central Finland. The aim is to find acceptable solutions regarding wind power proposed in the draft plant, and to increase the overall acceptance of the regional land use plan. Regional…
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Revision of Helsinki’s urban nature management practices

The Helsinki Urban Environment Division set up a working group to revise the city’s urban nature management policies. In 2022, Akordi planned and facilitated three workshops to support this work. The city of Helsinki is revising its urban nature management policies, and the city asked Akordi for…
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Helsinki City Strategy (2021-2025): Methods and solutions for aligning differing strategy priorities

Akordi assisted the city of Helsinki in aligning conflicting interests in the city strategy. The interests in question were city growth, biodiversity, and local recreational areas. Helsinki’s new city strategy (2021-2025), titled ‘A Place of Growth’, places city growth as one of the main goals,…
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Negotiations and mediation between the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, Greenpeace and the Finnish forest administration Metsähallitus in 2018-2021

The concerned parties commissioned Akordi in autumn 2018 to assess the prolonged forestry conflicts in the Kainuu region. In order for the conflict to be resolved the national level aspects had to be discussed as well. A twelve member working group was founded from members of the concerned organizations including national directors and forest experts of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation and Finnish Greenpeace. The group convened 14 times between November 2019 and January 2021. The scope of the work expanded significantly from what was initially planned to include all state owned forests in Finland.
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Conflict assessment: Sámi herding cooperatives and Metsähallitus

In 2020 the lingering tensions between Sámi reindeer herders and Metsähallitus forestry called for framing the conflict. In a novel approach, a neutral party intervenes in a lingering conflict to get a clearer picture of the situation. Conflict analysis is sometimes a part of environmental conflict mediation. It isn’t research, since it has a more practical goal; to lay the foundation for resolving the conflict.
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Evaluation of the Fishing Agreement of Tenojoki River

The fishing agreement between Finland and Norway on the Tenojoki River entered into force in March 2017. During its preparation, the Finnish Parliament outlined that the fishing agreement and its functionality should be evaluated three years after its enforcement. Akordi, appointed by the Finnish Ministry…
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Jyväskylä Strategic Forest Program

The City of Jyväskylä's Forest Program is a long-term strategic plan outlining the management and use of the city's forests. The process, which concluded in June 2018, involved the collaboration of city representatives and local stakeholders. Akordi played a key role in facilitating an interactive negotiation process during the development of the Forest Program.
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