Sustainable municipalities
Published on 31 January 2018
Finland
Länsi-Suomi
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The region has several small municipalities with limited resources to create and implement a Climate strategy. 8 municipalities joined their resources with Thermopolis the Energy Agency of South Ostrobothnia and through active team work wrote a joint climate strategy. The work started with a study on the region in a pre-strategy project. The writing of the climate strategy was funded by the ERDF in 2011-2012. The document was officially accepted in each municipality during the year 2012. 7 municipalities continued working together to implement the strategy in an ERDF funded project for the years 2013-2014. After these ERDF projects the municipalities decided to continue working together in implementing the joint climate strategy. Each municipality formed energy efficiency teams with representatives from all the departments in the municipality. These teams meet regularly to plan and implement training for their co-workers, different kinds of events and give suggestions to the municipal boards on energy, climate and environment related issues. Also, each team has written an action plan for their municipality and these action plans are going through the process of becoming official documents that will guide the governance of the municipalities. An important step in the process has been that the municipalities have joined the voluntary energy efficiency agreements that are made with the national government.
Resources needed
The writing of the climate strategy (EDRF) 187 585 € and ~5 person years
The first phase of implementing the strategy (EDRF) 90 000 € and ~2,5 person years
The continued implementation and development of the strategy around 60 000€/year ~0,8-1 person year
The first phase of implementing the strategy (EDRF) 90 000 € and ~2,5 person years
The continued implementation and development of the strategy around 60 000€/year ~0,8-1 person year
Evidence of success
Each municipality has continued implementing their strategy. 5 are stilll colabotring together. The formed energy teams are very active and each municipality started energy and material efficiency training for their employees. The local waste management company is involved and the municipalities have gone over their waste management and modernized it including enough recycling bins etc. Schools have been provided with educational materials for grades 1-9.
Potential for learning or transfer
The example here shows how EDRF supported projects that continue the work of the previous can create a lasting movement within an organisation.
Municipalities with small resources can join together to impact the climate change, without losing the local touch needed to bring the efforts into everyday operations. During the writing of the strategy each municipality had members in thematic teams. Thus each municipality ended up with the same strategy. The implementation phase has been guided by municipal specific energy teams. And each team has dealt with similar topics with a local twist.
Municipalities with small resources can join together to impact the climate change, without losing the local touch needed to bring the efforts into everyday operations. During the writing of the strategy each municipality had members in thematic teams. Thus each municipality ended up with the same strategy. The implementation phase has been guided by municipal specific energy teams. And each team has dealt with similar topics with a local twist.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Municipalities of Alavus, Kuortane, Kurikka, Lapua ja Kauhava
Finland
Länsi-Suomi
Contact
Project manager