Sustainability Collaboration Between Civil Society Actors and Municipalities - 12 Examples from Finland

The twelve case examples were collected from the three regions that participated in the We make transition! -project: Southwest Finland, Tampere Region and Helsinki-Uusimaa Region. The publication focuses on the civil society´s crucial role in sustainability transition and ways of collaborating with municipalities. The text is based on interviews that aim to capture each actor’s own perspective. Many of the interviewees highlighted the meaning of a physical gathering space and communality. In many cases, the initiative had come from one or a couple of active residents who had made a great effort to promote their idea.  Also, the importance of local knowledge and collaboration with the municipality was frequently mentioned.

 Case examples offer ideas on how associations, residents, organisations, foundations, small businesses, and municipalities can together foster the transition towards an ecologically and socially sustainable society. Examples can be used as an inspiration when thinking about visions for local sustainability actions. On the other hand, the examples can help with perceiving and articulating current activities from a sustainability perspective.

 The publication is available in Finnish and in Swedish.

Civil society actors and other local actors presented in the publication:

Living Culture Koroinen Association (Elävän kulttuurin Koroinen) develops the Koroinen area in the City of Turku as a vibrant culture and action center. The association was founded in 2011 to continue the actions initiated by the Sustainable Development Study Programme of the Turku University of Applied Sciences at the historic Koroinen farm.

Recycling Association of Sauvo (Sauvon kierrätysyhdistys) organises waste collection events, such as brushwood collections, and maintains a circular economy activity center “Pihlaja” in the heart of Sauvo. The association was founded in the summer of 2023, and Pihlaja opened later with the support of EU rural development funding.

The Aura River Foundation supports and promotes the preservation and management of Aura River’s cultural landscape, river-related research activities, actions to improve water quality, fish and crayfish management, as well as recreational use. The foundation was established in 1993 based on the initiative of the municipalities along the Aura River.

The City of Turku has funded in 2024-2025 climate projects designed and implemented by young people aged 15–24. The funding comes from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund, from which cities around the world have been able to apply for grants for youth-led climate projects.

TasausKohtuusPaja – a local degrowth-inspired action group in Salo is an independent group aiming to curb overconsumption. It was initiated by two active Salo residents in 2010.

Mynämäki Regional Small Property Owners’ Association  (Mynämäen seudun pienkiinteistöyhdistys) founded in 2000, is a member of the Finnish Home Owners’ Association. The association brings together local residents of small houses and leisure properties who want to influence local planning, environment, safety, and residential well-being. Since 2008, the association has supported Mynämäki’s energy transition, inspired by the Carbon Neutral Municipalities project (Hinku-project).

The Pirkanmaa Building Heritage Association (Piiru ry) aims to preserve Tampere region’s building heritage, maintain the built cultural environment, and increase expertise in these fields. The association was founded in 2012 to create a building heritage center.

Wild Zone (Villi vyöhyke ry) is a nature conservation association whose goal is to implement, experiment with, and develop new methods of nature conservation and ecological restoration in areas where natural values have been degraded by human activity. Wild Zone cooperates with many Finnish cities and is a known biodiversity expert in Finland.  

Blokgarden, a small company founded in Tampere in 2020, focuses on increasing urban gardening and greenery in cities. Blokgarden implements both temporary and permanent community gardens and other green solutions that promote a sense of community and biodiversity.

Vihtijärvi village is located in the northeastern part of the municipality of Vihti and has about 500 residents. The village has an active Vihtijärvi village association (Vihtijärven kyläyhdistys) that values sustainability, openness, and cooperation.

The EcoNeighbor Network (Ekonaapuriverkosto) is a pilot project by the City of Helsinki aimed at increasing the knowledge and skills of Helsinki residents, especially immigrants, in making sustainable everyday choices. The network’s activities focus directly on residents’ daily lives, making it easy and meaningful to adopt sustainable lifestyles.

Good grows in Järvenpää (Hyvä kasvaa Järvenpäässä) is a resident-led movement that has operated for fifteen years, increasing community spirit and well-being in local daily life. The core of the movement is doing things together, driven by the desire to enable people to make meaningful contributions in their own neighborhoods.

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