Our Projects | Forest
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.
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).
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.
Natural resources plan for the Sámi homeland read more
A working group was tasked with planning the care and use of the natural resources in the Sámi homeland. Akordi assisted the working group, which included facilitating four workshops.
Assessing the conflict between Sámi herding cooperatives and Metsähallitus
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In 2019-2020, the Sámi Parliament, the Skolt Sámi Cultural Foundation and the Sámi Herding Cooperatives prepared to start using a new method of environmental conflict mediation. As part of this, Akordi assessed the conflict between the Sámi Herding Cooperatives and Metsähallitus.
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.
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.
