Minister Vehviläinen: Inspiring proposition on the funding foundation of small-scale experiments

Minister of Local Government and Public Reforms Anu Vehviläinen received a report on new forms of funding for experimentation operations, prepared by Demos Helsinki and the Finnish Environment Institute. The report sought solutions particularly for enabling experiments at the level of the civil society and boosting experimentation culture.

‘I think the suggestion of supporting and funding small-scale experimentation flexibly using a digital platform is very interesting. It is in the nature of experimental operations that practical matters are promoted at a quick pace. Therefore, I propose as our goal that the suggested funding platform should be operational with the first small-scale experimentations running by the end of 2016,’ says Minister Vehviläinen, who is in charge of the experiment operations.

Experiments that aim to produce social benefit are often hindered by a lack of funding or problems caused by excessive project bureaucracy. The new kind of funding method for experimental operations would bring many kinds of new possibilities for preventive operations, for example. Through the platform, funding for the experiments can be channelled into citizen cooperation in the form of foundations, associations, companies or crowdfunding.

It only takes a few thousand euros to achieve a lot, when the excited citizens are encouraged to think for themselves about the ways in which the practicality and cost-efficiency of the operations in their environment could be improved.

‘One tangible new way of supporting experimentative culture even further would be if the tax deduction right for donations by private individuals was expanded similarly to the deductions for donations made to universities for supporting non-profit experimentation operations. I think this would be a nice gesture from the Government towards the civil society as Finland prepares to celebrate its centennial,’ Minister Vehviläinen suggests.

The report on the forms of funding for experiments was carried out as joint development. Approximately 40 cooperation partners and citizens selected through an open application process participated closely in the preparation of the report. An operating model, which in itself is another experiment, is now being drafted. Its objectives and vision will be discussed in one open process, as part of a more experimentative Finland. Anyone interested is welcome to join in the implementation. The model is improved on a step by step basis after user feedback and based on social efficiency.

‘The citizen circles essential for the experimentation operations have offered their knowledge and vision for the report in a great way. I want to thank everyone who has participated in the preparations,’ says Minister Vehviläinen.

Introduction of the experimentative culture is a lead project for the Government. 

Further information: Special Adviser Tuomas Vanhanen, tel. +358 295 530 216 and Project Manager Ira Alanko, tel. +358 295 160 028