This news digest highlights recent Valonia activities promoting sustainable development in Southwest Finland. The summary is based on the Finnish-language newsletter published in August 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!
Jobs Available for Two Specialists
Valonia is recruiting two Finnish speaking specialists! We are looking for a proactive biodiversity expert with strong project implementation skills, as well as a development-oriented specialist who enjoys working with property energy issues and construction-related themes. Read more about the positions and application instructions on our website.
Southwest Finland’s Emissions Continue to Decline
Greenhouse gas emissions in Southwest Finland decreased by 5 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year. Between 2023 and 2024, the largest reductions were recorded in emissions from heating, including other heating, district heating used in industry and electric heating. Overall emissions in the region have fallen by 46 per cent since 2005.
The reduction in emissions both nationally and regionally has been driven by the transition away from fossil fuels in heat and electricity production. In 2024, the largest emission sectors in the region were road transport (33%), agriculture (22%) and machinery (10%).
Energy Saving Week Returns on 5–11 October
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Energy Saving Week under the theme “Everything Runs on Energy”. Energy is part of everyone’s life, and all Finns, businesses, communities, municipalities, organisations, housing companies and educational institutions are invited to take part by making meaningful energy-saving actions.
Valonia challenges both long-time participants and new organisations across Southwest Finland to communicate the importance of energy in their own activities. Register to take part and gain access to ready-made materials for celebrating the week.
Indicators for Climate Work and the Green Transition in Regions and Municipalities
Indicators help describe the current state of broader phenomena, track progress towards objectives and assess the effectiveness of actions taken. An effective indicator is purposeful, concrete and comparable.
This review presents indicators used to monitor climate work in regions and municipalities, as well as thematic information needs identified in the field. The information was gathered through indicator workshops involving experts from municipalities, regions and other organisations.
Results from Climate Risk Assessments on Agricultural Drought and Heavy Rainfall
A changing climate increases the risk of various extreme weather events. By preparing proactively, it is possible to minimise the impacts on people, livelihoods and the environment. Adaptation begins with risk assessment, which helps determine both the need for and scope of adaptation measures.
A new materials page now presents the results of climate risk analyses on agricultural drought and heavy rainfall carried out within the CLIVAS project. An earlier page presenting preliminary findings was published in November, and it has now been updated with the final results of the completed analyses.
Sustainability Influencers Academy Opens for Applications Until 6 September
The Sustainability Influencers Academy is aimed at 18–25-year-olds in Southwest Finland who want to explore the many levels of regional climate and environmental advocacy.
During the academic year-long programme, participants will have the opportunity to contribute to the implementation of regional climate action, meet and challenge experts, researchers, entrepreneurs and decision-makers, and discover ways of influencing that suit them best. Applications are open until 6 September 2026. Apply now or share the opportunity with a young person interested in making a difference.
Climate-Resilient Housing Company – Practical Case Studies
The case library brings together housing companies’ experiences of property maintenance and renovation planning in the face of a changing climate. The stories provide examples of climate-related risks affecting properties and practical solutions that support adaptation.
Each case study includes links to tools and additional information designed specifically for housing companies.
Europe Needs Unity as the Climate Changes
The climate crisis connects Europe through both its impacts and the solutions required to address them. On the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Climate Change, observed on 15 July, Valonia’s Head of Unit and Finland Country Coordinator for the European Climate Pact, Riikka Leskinen, reflects in a blog post on what increasingly frequent extreme weather events reveal about Europe’s future and why stronger cooperation is needed in climate action.
Is Solar Power Worthwhile for Housing Companies? New Calculations from Pilot Sites
Housing companies are increasingly considering the real benefits of solar electricity compared with the required investment. Practical examples and comparisons from completed projects are particularly valuable.
We have compiled examples of implemented solar power systems in housing companies, together with profitability calculations modelled by Turku University of Applied Sciences for existing housing companies. These examples support decision-making for board members, property managers and residents.
Solar Guide for Housing Companies
The Solar Guide for Housing Companies helps assess whether solar power is suitable for your property and guides you step by step through the entire procurement process.
The guide covers the different stages of acquiring a solar power system and includes practical tools and materials for housing companies, such as presenting the proposal at a shareholders’ meeting, a request-for-quotation template, a tool for comparing offers, information on compensation models for electricity production, guidance for supervising installations and an owner’s maintenance guide.
Climate-Resilient Housing Company – Materials for Shareholders and Residents
The Housing Companies in a Changing Climate TALVI project (2024–2026) has strengthened housing companies’ knowledge and capacity to adapt to changing climate conditions.
These materials help housing companies prepare for climate-related property risks as part of board work, property maintenance and renovation projects. The materials have been developed in cooperation with a stakeholder group consisting of housing companies, property managers, advocacy organisations, industry professionals and businesses. Some of the materials were tested in housing companies during the project period
Environmentally Friendly Ditch Maintenance Demonstrated in Mynämäki and Masku
At the end of June, demonstrations in Masku and Mynämäki showcased a ditch maintenance method that removes as little aquatic vegetation as possible while minimising disturbance to the watercourse. Organised by the Archipelago Sea Programme and the ILMAKAS project, the demonstrations attracted around 60 participants interested in soil health to learn about the benefits and use of a mowing bucket.
Soil Health, Weed Management and Agricultural Drones Drew Interest in Somero
Long-term investments have been made to improve soil health at Jusmäki Farm in Somero. More than 60 farmers and agricultural professionals gathered at the ILMAKAS field day on 17 June to learn about soil health, weed management and a range of agricultural machinery. The programme included practical demonstrations ranging from disc harrows to an agricultural drone in flight.
Guide for Municipalities: How to Make the Circular Economy Engaging and Inclusive
How can the circular economy be made visible, engaging and inspiring? The Circular Economy Carnival is a scalable event concept that brings circular economy practices into everyday life through culture, art, creative collaboration and community participation. Municipalities can organise the carnival under their own name, visual identity and scale while drawing on the lessons learned from the ReTurku Circular Economy Carnival pilot held in Turku in spring 2025.
Two Pilot Projects Bring Creative Circular Economy Solutions to Everyday Life in Turku
The CircularCity and ReMatch circular economy pilots, launched in Turku, are bringing sustainable choices closer to residents, businesses and the creative sector. The pilots encourage people to make smarter use of existing resources and to adopt more responsible everyday habits.
While the pilots approach the circular economy from different perspectives, they share a common goal: making sustainable choices easier to find, understand and embrace. Explore the models and discover how the circular economy can become part of your everyday life.
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.