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Our latest updates, thoughts, and events — as they roll out.
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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Having integrated the internship programme into the community fabric 15 years ago, we at Demos Helsinki have attempted to refine it iteratively. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inspiring work environment for students at the early stage of their careers and impact-making journeys. We reached out to some interns to share their experiences, and below are their reflections.
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What skills are essential for a transition to a net-zero world? How can governments and businesses go beyond anticipating a green transition and actually building one? What are truly “transformational green skills”? Demos Helsinki will host a discussion at COP28 to explore these questions, inviting a cross-sectoral panel of…
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What if green skills were more than technical expertise? The Green Skills Radar helps Finnish organisations integrate transformative mindsets and leadership into sustainability strategies. With tools for skill assessments and practical recommendations, it guides teams to navigate change, fostering adaptability and collaboration for a successful green transition.
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In a world racing towards new carbon-neutral innovations, how can companies in the wood-product industry maintain their competitive edge? This research agenda highlights how the wood industry can seize opportunities in the sustainability transition through innovation and research. By prioritizing long-life products and collaboration across sectors, Finnish companies can lead the way to a path of strong sustainability.
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The notion of a “polycrisis” has become a defining feature of contemporary governance, and traditional administrative methods are increasingly inadequate. In this publication, Professor Sir Geoff Mulgan’s concept of “Generative Shared Intelligence” offers a model for addressing multidimensional problems in governance, emphasising the need for more flexible and collaborative structures designed for the sole purpose of sharing intelligence.
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New economic thinking in Finland — Action on the fringes
January 11, 2022
Finland’s intellectual and policy landscape remains dominated by neoliberalism, with limited space for alternative economic thinking. While few independent new economic actors exist, institutions like universities, labour unions, and political parties are home to new economic thinkers. Despite resistance, shifts in public discourse, such as debates around Finland’s budgetary frame, suggest opportunities for change and the growth of alternative economic narratives.
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New economic thinking in Greece — “Pregnant” with promise
January 11, 2022
Greece’s history of societal unrest fuels anti-neoliberal sentiments, but new economic thinking remains fragmented. Activism and grassroots movements thrive, yet they lack institutional backing. While heterodox economists like Yanis Varoufakis have influence, deeper collaboration is hindered by ideological divides. Opportunities lie in sustainability efforts, particularly in energy communities, which challenge traditional capitalist structures.
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New economic thinking in France — A small but vibrant space
January 11, 2022
France’s new economic thinking is small, fragmented, and largely issue-oriented, with a focus on social justice and environmental issues. The field is supported by academic networks, cooperatives, and NGOs, but systemic transformation is limited by a lack of cross-sectoral funding and institutional support. Despite influential thinkers like Thomas Piketty, heterodox economics remains weak in academia and policymaking, hindering broader economic change. However, there is growing interest among students and the public in alternative economic models that address ecological crises.
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