Project Piazza

Project description Where are we now? Finnish government is in need of a platform where information about RDI (research, development and innovation) projects can be stored and searched easily by decision-makers, by researchers, funding organisations. It is recognised, for example, that policymakers need to have access to the most recent research findings in order to … Read more

Bottom-up ‘Mobility as Service’

Project description In Finland today, the public transportation system is ‘one size fits all’. There continues a need to provide a basic ‘guarantee’ of public transport, but the system is under-serving some users and over-serving others and, overall, consuming more public resources than necessary. This project in DfG will focus on citizen needs and on … Read more

Energy and Maintenance in Finnish Housing Companies

Project description Housing companies in Finland have a strong and unique role. The built environment accounts for about 30% of national energy consumption, thus it is a critical area in Finnish climate policy. There are 2 major challenges for housing companies: the massive ‘renovation era’ already underway for 1960-80s building stock, and; sustainability and energy … Read more

Waste Prevention by Extending (Electronic Product) Lifecycle

Project description The next National Waste Plan (Valtsu) will be renewed for 2017-2022, and it is currently being prepared by the Finnish Environmental Institute (SYKE). Regions will their make own waste management plans based on Valtsu, and each has different strategies and possibilities (f.ex. existing infrastructure, geography, population and demography). SYKE is focusing on 4 … Read more

Civil Servant 2.0: Future Work of Civil Servants

Project description Transformations in our society necessitate parallel transformation in civil servants’ work practices, cultures and roles. Responsive and effective and trustworthy policy-making today (in the ‘post-truth’ era) requires a high degree of awareness, collaboration, agility and trust within diverse ‘ecosystems’ of stakeholders working together across sectors towards common societal challenges and goals. This paradigm … Read more

A Model for Regional Sustainable Circular Food

Project description In Finland, food accounts for a fifth of consumers’ environmental impacts and potential climate change impacts food production, industry, self-sufficiency and security. There are currently a variety of risks and bottlenecks – as well as particular strengths – in the food system. To address these grand challenges, the Finnish government has set a … Read more

Future of Finland’s Hiking Areas – New Uses, Users and Identities

Project description National hiking areas in Finland are state-owned lands that play a key role in developing activity-based outdoor tourism. The areas are productive land with multiple uses and users, including sustainable tourism, nature-based activities and events, local business services and landscape ameneties. They are distinct from other categories of land use in Finland such … Read more

Empowering Citizens through Artificial Intelligence

Project description Finland is currently undergoing a profound digital transformation. The Ministry of Finance is preparing a national program for artificial intelligence (AI) at the same time as national information policy and a new Information Management Act are underway. Through such initiatives, significant growth in GDP and employment are projected. Goals for AI encompass and reach beyond … Read more

Boosting Consumer Rights for Finnish Business

Project description Many companies view customer satisfaction as a competitive advantage. Achieving customer satisfaction means respecting laws, including those protecting against false advertising, safeguarding of minors, securing warranties and customer privacy. 2018 marked 40 years of the ‘Consumer Protection Act’ in Finland. However, a recent EU study reveals that familiarity with consumer law among businesses … Read more

Just Transition to Post-Oil Heating in Homes

Project description Finland has an ambitious target to become carbon neutral by 2035. However, due to the cold climate in Finland, residential heating consumes a relatively high amount of energy. Oil is still commonly used for central heating in single-family homes, and these upwards of 130,000 homes homes represent a significant CO2 emission reduction potential. Moving away … Read more