Only together can we fight for a fair, sustainable, and joyful next era
Meet Demos Helsinki, a globally operating, independent think tank.
We build practical paths to fair, sustainable, and joyful societies.
Demos Helsinki is a globally operating, non-profit, and independent think tank that conducts research, creates new policy tools, and helps build capacities that instigate and sustain essential transitions. We collaborate with local and national governments, international organisations, civil society, and critical industries to create the tools that will define this pivotal moment in global history.
We help organisations of all kinds to lead societal transformations.
Building fair, sustainable, and joyful societies requires widespread effort. In our 20 years of experience, we bridge the gap between immediate interventions and long-term societal needs. Working with us, you can be sure that you ask the right questions and that the answers are backed by our research-based, kind, and passionate experts.
Building new and exciting capacities is one of the most long-term impact interventions that can turn organisations into a examples of a new era.
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Foresight is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have for strengthening your societal relevance in a complex world.
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Cities can lead collective action. We help city leaders and administrations transform their governance, equipping them with the mindset, tools, and knowledge to address societal challenges.
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For those involved in shaping the next phase of European AI policy, FORSEE is a research project that offers both a warning and a roadmap: success must be defined before it can be delivered.
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There is an anticipated challenge in housing that few are talking about yet. The conventional tool that cities have always had to address housing crises — building more — will not be sufficient. How prepared are cities for this scenario? More importantly, how can cities address housing justice while also averting ecological and biodiversity crises from worsening?
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This report, created in collaboration with the EU Horizon-funded LIKE-A-PRO project and over 50 food experts across sectors and regions, underscores the urgent need to change the default protein production and consumption within the next two decades.
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The project supports Ukrainian municipalities in their pursuit of climate neutrality amidst rebuilding efforts. Together with leading EU and Ukrainian partners, including city networks, research organisations and urban stakeholders, Demos Helsinki supports this project by providing arenas for sharing knowledge and testing new methods for engaging citizens and other stakeholders in these processes.
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For decades, GDP has stood unchallenged as the primary measure of economic success. As calls to move beyond GDP grow, two approaches have risen to prominence: supplementing it with broader measures, or abandoning it altogether to redefine economic success. What is the best path forward in the debate on GDP?
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Collaborations
We are leading societal transformations with partners around the world.
Innovating urban development: Lessons from M4EG & moving beyond growth
Post
April 17, 2025
Two key lessons from our work in the Mayors for Economic Growth project, in collaboration with UNDP: 1) Innovation needs to occur at multiple levels and 2) If we’re to be effective, we must remain humble.
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