This news digest highlights recent Valonia activities promoting sustainable development in Southwest Finland. The summary is based on the Finnish-language newsletter published in April 2026. You can subscribe to the newsletter at valonia.fi/uutiskirje. If you would like more information on any of the topics presented here, feel free to contact our staff!
Towards a climate-resilient and secure future
The Finnish annual event of the European Climate Pact took place in Helsinki on 14 April 2026. Initiated by the European Commission, the Climate Pact is a network of climate ambassadors operating in 27 countries, encouraging citizens to take climate action and supporting the EU’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Finnish climate ambassadors wanted to highlight citizens’ concern that global and national climate targets are at risk of drifting further away. Studies show that public support for climate goals remains strong, and optimism about the future is a key component of societal resilience.
The event also discussed how stronger, more long-term cooperation in national policymaking could better address citizens’ climate and environmental concerns and link environmental challenges more closely to current discussions on security and security of supply.
Decline in small-scale solar installations – growing interest in batteries
The number of small-scale solar installations decreased in Southwest Finland in 2025 for the second consecutive year. The decline in demand is also visible in supply: several companies offering solar energy systems have exited the market. Increasingly, batteries are being acquired alongside solar systems in detached houses. According to distribution system operators, connections of batteries to the grid have increased over the past couple of years.
A biodiversity park is being built in Skanssi, Turku together with residents
Europe’s first biodiversity park is being developed in the Skanssinmäki area of Turku. The aim is to create a model area demonstrating how people can actively enhance biodiversity – not only by protecting nature but by supporting it. Around the biodiversity park, an open and informal nature group has been developed together with residents. The group has served as a way to engage people in promoting biodiversity, experimenting with new approaches, and building the park collaboratively.
Regional procurement of office, school and craft supplies combines volume and ecological sustainability
At the end of 2025, the City of Turku tendered office, school and craft supplies as well as yarns through a joint regional procurement together with 18 other municipalities. The procurement covers everyday items ranging from office and school supplies to craft materials and yarns. For the City of Turku, this represents hundreds of thousands of euros annually, but as a regional procurement it delivers significant volume benefits, especially for smaller municipalities.
Promoting biodiversity in housing companies
Make your yard more vibrant – easily and together! This guide is aimed at housing companies that want to enhance biodiversity in their yards using cost-effective and easy-to-implement measures. It also provides information and ideas for anyone interested in supporting and preserving biodiversity in their local environment.
Rolling through Southwest Finland – tips for cycling tourism
In May 2025, we recruited cycling ambassadors for the Rullaava Reissu campaign, which aimed to explore Southwest Finland as a cycling tourism destination. The selected participants documented their travel experiences, and this publication brings together videos and stories from those journeys.
The publication showcases trips by six cycling ambassadors, representing different travel styles: family day trips, relaxed summer journeys for adults, and longer bikepacking adventures with tents. The ambassadors highlight concrete routes, rest stops and landscapes from across the region. It also includes tips on choosing bikes and routes and planning trips. The publication offers practical information and inspiration for anyone considering cycling tourism in Southwest Finland – in their own way.
Laukanlahti protected across generations – a story with many chapters
Laukanlahti, a shallow and lush sea bay, is located in southern Salo in the areas of Perniö and Särkisalo. Once a route for sailing ships, it has become eutrophic over the decades, but the local community has responded with innovative solutions. Through collaboration and volunteer efforts, wetlands have been built and even bottled Laukanlahti water has been sold at local markets as fertiliser water.
Foundations of soil fertility – a farmers’ evening focused on soil health
A farmers’ evening organised by the Ilmakas project brought together around ten farmers in Lieto, at the Ilmarinen tourism farm, to network and discuss key aspects of soil fertility. At activity stations, participants explored environmental measures, biodiversity promotion, a cation exchange capacity calculator, and practical tips for crop rotation planning.
New projects
Regional Sustainability Influencer Academy – INFLUENCE
The project has received funding from the EU’s Central Baltic programme. The total budget of the project is €208,542.31, of which Valonia’s share is €126,106.11.
There is a strong need in our societies for opportunities for interaction and inclusive dialogue, as well as more impactful civic participation among children and young people. The INFLUENCE project establishes and pilots one-year regional sustainability influencer academies in Southwest Finland and the Vidzeme region of Latvia.
Young participants aged 18–25 will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of their regions: in Southwest Finland through the implementation of the climate roadmap, and in Vidzeme through updating the regional development programme from a sustainability perspective. Participants will also learn about decision-making structures and different forms of civic engagement, encouraging them to take part in society in the future.
This summary has been translated with the help of AI, and although a human has reviewed the text, some errors – for example in terminology – may still occur.