The aim of this research is to respond to the challenge of adjusting technology to local contexts in the field of ICT for development, by developing a comprehensive approach (methodology) for the analysis and design of sustainable and scalable socio-technical information systems that promote societal development of local communities in varying developing-country contexts. In addition, the project has a capacity building objective of forming a sustained tripartite international research group capable of disseminating, evaluating and improving the approach further.

Team

Koivu Annariina, Luukkonen Irmeli, Martikainen Susanna, Palmen Marilla, Pentikäinen Marika, Tiihonen Tuija, Vainikainen Vilma

The EUCAM project assesses European security and development policies towards Central Asia and improves the contribution of European programmes to development and welfare in the region. EUCAM aims to: - Scrutinise European policies towards Central Asia - Enhance knowledge of Europe's engagement with Central Asia - Expand the network of experts and institutions from European countries and Central Asian states - Provide a forum to debate on European-Central Asian relations

Team

Fryer Paul, Virkkunen Joni, Elmira Satybaldieva

To strengthen the resilience of the people living in high risk urban and semi-urban areas, this project concentrates on establishing an Early Warning System through the improvement of early warning services with the support of the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), in close cooperation with the National Meteorological Services (NMSs) of Malawi, government and other main stakeholders at various levels.

Team

In this project FMI contributes to the • Restructuring of the observation network • Renewal of the telecommunication system both in national and international level • Modernization of the climate database management system and • Wider dissemination of meteorological data.

Team

Regional development cooperation project between FMI and Uzhydromet together with WMO Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Tashkent to support the development of Central Asia National Meteorological Services. The main purpose of the Project is to increase capacity of Uzhydromet and other National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in Central Asia to produce sustainable and end-user driven public and private services.

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This research focuses on FBOs (World Vision, Fida International and Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania) and their development projects by employing the capability approach and examining how the faith base influences assessments of valued functionings as aspects of good life, capabilities, and freedoms. Research is based on fieldwork in several regions in Tanzania.

Team

Enhancing food and nutrition security via 11 sub-research projects ranging from processing of fermented dairy products in Kazakhstan and identificaiton of Lactid acid bacteria to, cyroconservation of native poultry breeds, to behaviour of dairy cattle, to assessing quality of meat of native cattle breeds, assesing of quality of honey, gene identification for disease-resistant strains of apples, use of plants in soil remediation etc.

Team

The aim of my research is to understand what is it exactly that defines how corporate legitimacy is created. The research engages in the following research questions: What is the role of stakeholder dialogue in the creation of corporate legitimacy? How is legitimacy upheld in the public sphere through media representations? And how can companies and locals, learn to work side-by-side before costly and damaging conflicts emerge? Legitimacy is looked at from three different perspectives: first, the organizational legitimacy or "the generalized perception or assumption that the actions are desirable within a socially constructed system of norms, values, beliefs, and definitions" (Suchman 1995:574); second, the democratic legitimacy ("consent of the governed") in terms of stakeholders giving their consent to the corporations to be present in their communities; and third, legitimacy as the outcome of a place-bound social imaginary (Taylor, 2002) and the capacity of an organization to sustain and maintain the reproduction of life (Dussel, 2013) within that particular imaginary and place.

Team

The overall objective of the project was to contribute to sustainable energy planning through improved energy related knowledge and expertise in the target countries, Laos and Cambodia. The purpose of the project was to enhance and promote sustainable energy education, research and development at the Faculty of Engineering at NUOL, and Department of Electrical and Energy Engineering at ITC. The identification of capacity building activities was guided by the objective to provide improved expertise relevant for both Cambodian and Laotian energy policies and labour markets, as well as to respond to the specific needs of NUOL and ITC. The project also supported the development of Bsc and Msc programs in renewable energy education in both universities. On top of these, the project also aimed to improve the teaching skills, administrative, organisational and intellectual skills of the university staff. Using the acquired knowledge and skills of teachers can foster the renewal of administrative structures and organisational activities.

Team

Jyrki Luukkanen (FFRC), Visa Tuominen (FFRC)), Tytti Pasanen (FFRC), Erno Lehtinen (UTU), Yrjö Majanne (TUT), Juha Leppänen (Tamlink Ltd.), Norith Phol (ITC), Khamphone Nanthavong (NUOL), Orkide Akgün (FFRC)

Access to Sustainable Energy for All project was implemented by a consortium of seven organizations and research centres in nine countries across Europe. Between 2011 and 2014 the FFRC research team conducted case studies in Finland, the Mekong region and Cuba in order to examine the drivers of energy futures in the target countries and the alternatives that are needed to make them equitable and sustainable. The question of how to provide clean, accessible and affordable energy for all is far from straightforward. Especially those in poorer countries across the Global South lack opportunities to benefit from such luxury. The project aimed at enhancing local understanding and raise awareness among the European public about the importance of ensuring such energy sources, and also about the role of EU financing policies concerning this issue. On FFRC’s part, the project included a capacity building component to enhance local abilities, and also produced two reports about the matter to stimulate public debate and instigate initiatives to promote a shift in policies and practices.

Team

Jyrki Luukkanen, Mira Käkönen, Hanna Kaisti, Joni Karjalainen, Jarmo Vehmas