Strategic Stakeholder Engagement and Interaction

 

At the local, regional, and national levels, broad collaboration and interaction are often needed to support project development, decision-making, and operations. Widely accepted solutions require an understanding of – and consideration for –the specific characteristics of the operating environment; the ability to avoid, mitigate, or compensate for adverse impacts; and procedures that are perceived as clear, fair, and just.We help design and implement strategic stakeholder engagement and interaction processes that enable different actors to engage in meaningful and productive collaboration. Well-resourced, high-quality, and timely engagement prevents conflicts and strengthens the foundation for decision-making. We offer support for example for energy and industrial projects, land-use planning, and policy-making processes.

Planning Principles for Good Air Quality in Helsinki’s Urban Boulevards

The City of Helsinki initiated a consultancy project in early 2017 to establish target-based planning principles for air quality in urban boulevards. Trafix Oy, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and Serum Architects conducted the work, and a wide range of stakeholders participated in the planning, with Akordi assisting in facilitating discussions during stakeholder workshops.

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.

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…

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.

Where will the conflicts generated by the Green Transition be resolved?

The green transition is a significant societal transformation, involving struggles between various interest groups. Which conflicts can be anticipated and avoided, and which battles are unavoidable? The aim of the green transition is the creation of a sustainable economy that does not rely on energy…

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.

MAL 2023 agreement for Helsinki region

The planning for the new agreement on land use, housing and transport (Maankäytön, asumisen ja liikenteen suunnittelukierros MAL) for Helsinki region has commenced. The aims featured in the previous MAL 2019 agreement will be revised based on the changed operating environment. Once the agreement is…

Sustainable recovery in Helsinki-Uusimaa region

In autumn of 2020 the regional council of Helsinki-Uusimaa focused its strategic development on improving the framework of its stakeholder interactions. The aim was to synergize the different aims and measures drafted earlier in the regional plan, climate road map, traffic and transportation plan, and…

Helsinki region MAL 2019 agreement

An agreement on land use, housing and transport (MAL) is a strategic plan that outlines how land use, housing and transportation is to be developed during the upcoming decades. Helsinki MAL 2019 combines the visions of the 14 municipalities in the Helsinki region, and outlines how the Helsinki region…

EKOTEKO project

EKOTEKO - Ecological compensations from theory to practice was a joint research project by University of Helsinki, the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) and Akordi. The project aim was to find a practical way to implement ecological compensations by combining science, dialogue and experimentation.…

Vital Vantaa program

In 2018 the city of Vantaa established a working group to prepare a program and measures for increasing the city’s appeal and vitality. This included drafting new policies regarding business and employment, methods for increasing the city’s appeal, and aims for culture, sports and events. The program was collaboratively drafted by the involved stakeholders in workshops, which Akordi planned and facilitated.

Pioneers into Practice

Pioneers into Practice programme is part of a Europe wide EIT (European Institution of Innovation and Technology) Climate-KIC network. Its purpose is to give birth to new innovations, business and practices for building a more sustainable society. Climate change mitigation requires novel solutions…

DAC – Dwellers in Agile Cities

Akordi was involved in DAC - Dwellers in Agile Cities research project to help support the project’s societal impact. DAC was funded by the Academy of Finland between 2016-2019, and it focused on the regular urban citizen as a driver of urban development and change. Akordi supported the researchers and stakeholders involved with the project to identify potential mechanisms for change linked to the project aims. Thanks to Akordi’s facilitation, research assignments and stakeholder interactions supported each other.

Update of Vantaa master plan

Vantaa updated its local master plan, and Akordi supported the work in 2019. The plan covers future plans for construction, housing, services, recreation, and managing increasing amounts of traffic. Akordi facilitated events where Vantaa residents discussed the future of the city with city representatives. Akordi also consulted the master planning group on how to best organize stakeholder engagement and participation.

No Net Loss City

Ecological compensations refer to measures that compensate the lost biodiversity in one location with at least equivalent biodiversity gains in another. The No Net Loss City project introduces the first model for ecological compensations for land use planning in municipalities. The model is tested and…

Oulujoki watershed vision 2035

The Oulujoki river watershed is getting its own watershed vision to better integrate differing needs and interests in the region.  The Finnish Environment Institute leads the project titled “Vitality from the Kainuu Lakes to the Gulf of Bothnia - Oulujoki watershed vision 2035 (ARVOVESI)”, and the…

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.

Facilitating a Nordic cormorant working group

The great cormorant is protected under the EU Birds Directive. Because of this the population growth has been strong in the Baltic Sea region during the past few decades. Conflicts between cormorants and humans, with fishermen in particular, have occured. Management of cormorant populations is not only…

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…

Facilitating stakeholder interaction in GOVERMAT research project

GOVERMAT project (2022-2025) focuses on the circular economy applications of critical raw minerals in electric mobility. Akordi is responsible for the project’s stakeholder workshop facilitation. GOVERMAT (2022-2025) is a project funded by the Academy of Finland, and it focuses on the circular economy…

Building a Collaborative Platform for Reindeer Husbandry and Wind Power

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…

Biodiversity offsetting as an operational tool for a just sustainability transition towards no net loss of ecosystems and biodiversity

There is unequivocal scientific consensus about the ongoing environmental crisis and a strong global political ambition to halt biodiversity loss. Still, we are systematically failing with national-level implementation: globally none of the Aichi biodiversity targets designed to stop biodiversity loss…

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…

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…

Enhancing Collaboration in the Koitajoki River Basin: The Koitajoki-Koitere Forum Continues its Journey

In the Koitajoki River Basin in North Karelia, a collaborative model has been developed among various stakeholders to harmonize diverse objectives and improve the condition of the basin's water systems. To further strengthen and advance this collaboration, Akordi designed and implemented a workshop in…

Review of Helsinki urban tree policy

In spring 2022, Akordi planned and facilitated two workshops to support the city of Helsinki in reviewing its urban tree policy. In spring 2022, Akordi planned and facilitated two workshops to support the city of Helsinki in reviewing its urban tree policy. The workshops were organized for key stakeholders. The…

Natural resources plan for the Sámi homeland

The drafting of an updated plan guiding the activities of Metsähallitus in the Sámi homeland began in October 2020. The updated plan will be for years 2022-2027, and it will align the aims of the state owned Metsähallitus (the Finnish forest administration) with those of the local populations. A working group consisting of key actors in the region was an important tool for the collaborative planning.

Public Participation for Nurmijärvi Ilvesvuori local detailed plan

In spring 2021 the municipality of Nurmijärvi began drafting a local detailed plan for the northern Ilvesvuori area. The updated plan would allow for a large Kesko Corporation logistics centre. This has caused concerns in the neighborhood regarding, for instance, negative impacts during construction. Nurmijärvi…

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.

Finnish FSC standard revision

The Forest Stewardship Council - FSC - is an international, non-profit and open association that is committed to strengthening the sustainable use of forests via certification. At the start of 2020, Akordi was requested as a neutral party to assist in the negotiations and work in updating the Finnish…

Improving the tracking service of wolf populations

Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) wanted to improve its tracking service of wolf populations, and organized stakeholder events for feedback and suggestions. The first events was held in Kajaani in 2020. Akordi was in charge of the planning and facilitation of the events.

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…

Citizen Jury to deliberate the use of marshlands for peat production

The regional council of South Ostrobothnia and The Finnish Environment Institute, together with Akordi, assembled a citizen jury to discuss the use of South Ostrobothnian marshlands. This was a part of drafting the regional plan of South Ostrobothnia. The goal was to plan how to integrate the differing…

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.

The Sámi Cultural Rights – Future Dialogues on Finnish Democracy

As part of the Future Dialogues on Finnish Democracy project celebrating one hundred years of Finnish independence in 2017, Akordi was involved in facilitating the dialogue between the youth and the Minister of Education on the current state of Sámi languages ​​and culture.