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Five statements for sustainable urban mobility — learnings from Finland

Finland aims to reduce traffic emissions by 50% by 2030. To meet this goal, Demos Helsinki and partners held discussions to explore sustainable urban mobility. Key findings include the benefits of car-free living, the economic advantages of sustainable mobility, the role of compact urban design, the importance of data sharing, and the need for regulatory changes to promote low-carbon transportation options. Collaboration between cities, businesses, and mobility sectors is essential to creating accessible, sustainable transport systems that improve the wellbeing of citizens and the economy.


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For blockchain to create trust, we need public governance and regulation 

Trust is integral to the functioning of any society and the legitimacy of public institutions. In recent years, the trust in public institutions has been decreasing. At the same time, blockchain technology has created hope and hype in indirectly rebuilding public trust and governance. Blockchain has the potential to solve challenges related to trust, but only when combined with (a) appropriate regulation and (b) accountability mechanisms for public governance.


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Designing policies for a wellbeing economy — learnings from Finland

Finland is developing a wellbeing economy governance model to complement traditional economic goals, focusing on citizens’ wellbeing. Challenges include overcoming siloed government structures, balancing economic and wellbeing priorities, and clearly defining wellbeing. These insights aim to inform global efforts, promoting cross-sector collaboration and a more people-centric approach to policymaking.


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16 Horizon projects later, our goal is the same

Demos Helsinki is currently involved in 14 Horizon Europe projects. From exploring the societal impacts of new technologies to tackling climate challenges, these projects reflect a growing demand for research that sparks systemic change. Discover how we are working across disciplines to shape fairer, more sustainable futures.


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Demos Helsinki is part of three SRC-funded research projects on democracy and water security

These three research projects are: 1) Reducing polarisation via material participation (MaDem); 2) Coastal waters under pressure – safeguarding a healthy Gulf of Finland in a changing geopolitical and environmental landscape (CoWup); and 3) Safe Water for All (WaterFall).


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A time to build – shaping the next generation of public institutions

We are pleased to announce that the UNDP’s Istanbul Innovation Days (IID), taking place in March 2025, will focus on shaping the next generation of public institutions for a secure and prosperous world.


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At the Conceptual Crossroads of Politics and Technology: An Exploration Into EU Digital Policy

While existing scholarship has examined discursive strategies and technocratic
tendencies in EU digital policy in isolation, this article distinctively analyses their paradoxical interplay.


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Applying ethics in a complex piloting context

With the increasing culture of applying piloting as part of technology innovation, the need for understanding its societal implications is becoming more crucial. With the aim of understanding better the power relations, tensions and agencies pivotal to negotiating and embedding ethics across processes, we consider utilizing a framework of “design logics” to the data.


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Revitalising and protecting European democracies

The European Democracy Shield is a timely and commendable initiative aimed at addressing the EU’s growing democratic challenges. However, it would benefit from a more human-centered approach focusing on citizen participation, civil society engagement, and more nuanced policies on digital regulation.


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