Funding platform for piloting and experimenting

The funding platform for piloting and experimenting is an attempt to combine the strengths of small-scale experiments and RCT’s by encouraging parties engaged in experiments to learn from each other, by providing support measures, and by bringing different stakeholders and actors together to implement and fund experiments and pilots through a digital platform.

This report summary proposes the establishment of a new digital funding platform for piloting and experimenting in Finland. The full version of the report was handed to Minister of Local Government and Public Reforms Anu Vehviläinen on Friday 15th of April, 2016.

The proposed model connects citizen-led initiatives with government’s goals

The proposal put forward is based on an analysis according to which useful initiatives and new practices can be established by supporting small trials initiated by citizens. On the other hand, by funding large-scale, accurately evaluated experiments, conclusive evidence can be obtained on how initiatives work in practice, and their benefits can be disseminated more effectively. In a word, the proposed model would tie citizen-led initiatives to government’s goals and help to scale the recognized best practices. This publication is a brief summary of Finnish publication Näkökulmia kokeilurahoitukseen – Ehdotus kokeilurahoitusalustan perustamisesta.

The report was commissioned by The Finnish Prime Minister’s Office and commissioned by the Nordic think tank Demos Helsinki in partnership with Finnish Environment Institute. The proposal was co-created with over 40 different Finnish organisations, including ministries, municipalities, companies, NGOs, and many others.

The publication was a part of the project KORVA (Kokeilurahaston perustamisvaihtoehdot), which investigated whether there is need for a specific funding instrument for experiments in Finland.

For more information, please contact:

Mikko Annala, Demos Helsinki (mikko.annala@demoshelsinki.fi, +358 40 778 6062)

Annukka Berg, Syke, (annukka.berg@ymparisto.fi, +358 50 367 4996)

Kaisa Lähteenmäki-Smith, Prime Minister’s Office, (anna-kaisa.lahteenmaki-smith@vnk.fi, +358 50 347 4187).