The event Next stop: Southwest Finland 2040+, held at Logomo at the end of April, brought together a wide range of regional stakeholders to put the shared strategy into practice. During the event, the strategy’s implementation plan was published along with the first wave of supporting commitments.
Already 66 organisations have committed to implementing the strategy. These include municipalities, companies, educational institutions, authorities and development organisations. The commitments form a key part of the implementation plan, guiding and accelerating work both within networks and individual organisations.
A shared strategy visible in networks and everyday work
In his opening remarks, Regional Mayor Jyri Arponen emphasised joint ownership of the strategy. The Southwest Finland Strategy 2040+ is not a document of a single organisation, but a shared direction for the entire region.
The implementation plan makes this joint effort concrete. It has been prepared through collaboration among around 20 networks and helps make visible the work already being carried out across the region – also across thematic and sectoral boundaries.
Collaboration is essential for renewal
The event’s international panel offered new perspectives on regional development. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration: success requires bringing the right people together, high-quality facilitation, and the ability to respond quickly to a changing operating environment.
Collaboration was described as a “dance floor” that emerges when participants are given space to meet, experiment and build together – there is no need for a perfect plan before getting started.
Renewal emerges by combining perspectives
In the parallel sessions, participants explored the strategy’s cross-cutting themes: sustainable economy, nature and clean transition, resilience and security, as well as renewal capacity and future readiness.
Discussions emphasised that renewal in Southwest Finland is created by combining stronger western connections, opportunities of the green transition, the smooth functioning of everyday life, and bold, collaboration-based business development.
In the comment speeches, Chair of the Regional Council Aliisa Wahlsten, Executive Director Katja Suominen from Tukenasi Association, and Specialist Juha Tuominen from the Southwest Finland Vitality Centre highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration, youth inclusion, and strengthening community and resilience in crisis situations.
Implementation starts now – through everyday actions
In closing, CEO of Ukipolis Oy, Katariina Torvinen, captured the key message of the day: the strategy will not implement itself.
The next steps will be taken in networks, organisations and everyday work across Southwest Finland. A shared direction is in place – now what matters is that we move forward together.
