Our Projects

Akordi acts as a neutral mediator in policymaking and decision-making processes that include multiple stakeholders, various interests, and cover challenging social issues. We help participants express their own interests, examine diverse viewpoints and move beyond their differences through carefully managed negotiations. Akordi works on a wide range of collaborative projects related to natural resources, land use and policy process management.

Planning and execution of public participation in the revision of ‘Nurmijärvi Ilvesvuori Pohjoinen II’ local detailed plan read more

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 Municipality asked Akordi for support in communication and public engagement during the planning process.

Negotiations and mediation between the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, Greenpeace and the Finnish forest administration Metsähallitus in 2018-2021
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In November 2019, Greenpeace, Metsähallitus Forestry Ltd. and the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation initiated a negotiation and mediation process to resolve their disputes concerning the Kainuu region. The aim is to reach an agreement regarding NGO proposals on sites with high biodiversity, the protection of such sites by conservation methods and improved forestry practices, and to create a new model of collaboration between the parties. Until early 2021, Akordi worked as a neutral facilitator aiding the participants with their dispute resolution and with establishing the new collaboration. The collaboration between the parties continues.

No Net Loss City
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The No Net Loss City project introduces the first model for ecological compensations for land use planning in municipalities.

Oulujoki watershed vision 2035
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The aim of the Oulujoki river watershed vision is to better integrate the differing needs of river basin management, hydropower, fisheries, land use and business in the Oulujoki watershed.

Finnish FSC standard revision
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The Forest Stewardship Council - FSC - 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 FSC standard. In this assignment, Akordi applied the guides and principles of its international partner Consensus Building Institute (Consensus Building/Conflict Resolution Toolkit for National Forest Certification Standard-Setting Process).

Sustainable recovery in Helsinki-Uusimaa region
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In autumn of 2020 the regional council of Helsinki-Uusimaa focused its strategic development on improving the framework of its stakeholder interactions. Akordi’s role was to support the steering group in charge of the planning, and to participate in the planning and implementation of participatory workshops and events.

MAL 2023 agreement for Helsinki region
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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.

Towards shared understanding of the changes in sustainability of forest use
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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 brings together all researchers and stakeholders interested in the sustainable use of forests to discuss which aspects define sustainability in Finnish forest industry.

MAL agreement for Jyväskylä urban area read more

In 2020, the city of Jyväskylä and the municipalities within its urban area collaborated to plan a shared vision for the upcoming agreement on land use, housing and transport (MAL agreement). Akordi planned and facilitated workshops related to the planning, and aided in identifying and agreeing on relevant measures to be proposed in the agreement.

Enabling low-emissions mobility in Päijät-Häme region
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In 2019 the Regional Council of Päijät-Häme started working to increase the use of low-emissions mobility in its region. Together with Linea Consultants Ltd. and Mobinet, Akordi assesses the different options for mobility and cargo, and their environmental impacts.

Mid-term Review of the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan read more

The National Climate Change Adaption Plan is s strategic tool to enforce Finland’s capacity to manage risks associated with climate change. As part of its mid-term review, Akordi and Tyrsky Consulting Oy carried out an overview of stakeholder opinions to evaluate the effectiveness of the adaptation plan.

Regional Flood Risk Management Groups read more

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.

Finland 100 – The Future Dialogues on Finnish Democracy read more

Minister of Education Sanni Grahn-Laasonen met with Sámi youth in November 2017 as part of the Future Dialogues on Finnish Democracy project celebrating the hundred years of Finnish independence. Akordi was involved in facilitating the dialogue between the youth and the Minister of Education on the current state of Sámi languages ​​and culture.

Evaluation of the Fishing Agreement of Tenojoki River read more

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 of Agriculture and Forestry, performed this evaluation in 2019-2020.

HELSINKI REGION MAL 2019 AGREEMENT read more

Helsinki MAL 2019 combines the visions of the 14 municipalities in the Helsinki region, and outlines how the Helsinki region will be developed from 2019 to 2050. The plan is renewed every four years and it brings together coordinated efforts of land use, housing and transportation. Akordi supported the organizers in stakeholder engagement and helped in facilitating the participation throughout the planning process.

Situation Assessment of Forest Disputes in Kainuu read more

Akordi conducted a situation assessment regarding the on-going disputes about forest management in Kainuu area, in northeastern Finland. The purpose of the assessment was to clarify how the conflictual situation could be better understood and analyzed. Altogether 43 stakeholders were interviewed for the assessment. Based on those interviews, Akordi wrote an assessment report describing the different viewpoints of the stakeholders involved. The work was initiated together by Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest Administration), Finnish Association for Nature Conservation and Greenpeace Finland.

Management Plan for the Wolf Population in Finland
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During the past few years, the growth of the wolf population in Finland and the spread of wolves to new areas has highlighted the challenges of managing the population. The management is complicated by several conflicting interests. The population management plan, drafted by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, aims to better consider these different viewpoints and to produce a solution accepted by all stakeholders.

Social Acceptability of Wind Power
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In recent decades, the amount of electricity produced by wind power has increased globally as well as in Europe. Although wind power is generally seen as an acceptable energy source, local opposition to wind power projects has increased in Finland. This impacts both individual projects as well as the green transition of the whole energy industry towards national and international climate targets. In 2017 Akordi launched a project to increase the social acceptance of wind power production.

South Ostrobothnia Citizen Jury
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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 interests of peat production, conservation, and other marshland usages. Jonna Kangasoja from Akordi assisted and facilitated the meetings.

Jyväskylä Strategic Forest Program
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The crafting of the Jyväskylä Strategic Forest Program began in 2017. The city of Jyväskylä had recognized a need for renewing its forest management. By designing a comprehensive forest program, the city aimed to create coherent forest management instructions to help preserve the most important values of its forests. The vision for the program was to make Jyväskylä “a pioneer in harmonizing economical, ecological and social forest management goals.” The plan was published in 2018.

Iijoki River Visioning Process
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Iijoki, a great river flowing through Northern Ostrobothnia in Central Finland, was harnessed for hydroelectric power production long ago. As with many similar river valleys, different groups have conflicting needs for the Iijoki basin. One issue requiring solving is the restoration of the migratory fish stocks. The Iijoki river holds great potential and its value has been recognized. However, the absence of a shared vision for the future of Iijoki has been slowing down its development.

EKOTEKO project
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EKOTEKO - Ecological compensations from theory to practice is a joint research project by University of Helsinki, the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) and Akordi. The project aim is to find a practical way to implement ecological compensations by combining science, dialogue and experimentation. Akordi facilitated a workshop in 2019 that brought together parties interested in piloting ecological compensations. This meant landowners, companies, and relevant authorities.

Pioneers into Practice
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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. Participants get an opportunity to receive training and work experience in another programme member organization abroad. The training concerns systems innovations and transitions, after which they also complete a 4-6 week work exchange. Akordi trains participating Pioneers and facilitates the workshops starting and closing the programme.

Training on conflict resolution and social license to operate
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Having a social license to operate is important to any company, but this is especially true with projects relating to the environment. In 2019 Akordi trained members of the corporate responsibility network FIBS in stakeholder management, conflict management, and in identifying mutual interests among different parties.

Vital Vantaa program
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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.

DAC – Dwellers in Agile Cities
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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
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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.

The district vision for Herttoniemi
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Helsinki district Herttoniemi received its own district vision in 2018. This represents the shared vision of different groups of the Herttoniemi district, and their views on how to reach this vision. Akordi, together with MDI and Mapita, managed the planning, implementation and facilitation of the visioning work.

Tampere Eteläpuisto park
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In 2015, the city of Tampere began updating the local plan of Eteläpuisto park and its neighboring area. The intent was to develop the area by means of infill construction. Akordi was involved with the process during 2015-2016 as a neutral party. This meant assisting in building a dialogue between the city and its key stakeholders. This helped with navigating any disagreements during the drafting of the local plan.