Like many other coalitions, the Kokkola Living Lab has faced challenges in engaging its diverse partners and securing long‑term commitment to joint activities. To strengthen collaboration, a new activation round for the local coalition was launched on January 15, 2026.
The event aimed to deepen cooperation within the coalition established in the Synclusive project and link its work more clearly to promoting regional vitality and employment ‒ key issues for all participating organizations. The long‑term goal is to build a robust, multi‑stakeholder coalition that continues to generate value even beyond the project’s lifetime.
Employment Services, as one of the coalition’s core partners, convened the meeting, which likely increased its appeal to other stakeholders. Altogether, 15 participants from 12 organizations attended the 90‑minute workshop at Kokkola Town Hall. They represented municipal employment and business services, educational institutions, third-sector actors, an association of unemployed persons, a retail employer, a labour union, and a regional social and healthcare organization. Policymakers, SMEs, and employer organizations were invited but unable to participate this time.
The session began with a presentation of a successful employment-focused coalition from North Karelia. Participants then worked in small groups to discuss the coalition’s future vision and goals in Kokkola, addressing questions such as:
- What could a joint coalition achieve in Kokkola in the long term?
- What concrete objectives should it pursue?
- What value could it create for partner organizations?
The discussions highlighted a clear regional need for a more established and structured form of coalition. Participants expressed strong interest in continuing the coalition’s development and outlined the potential roles their organizations could play.
The next workshop is scheduled for March 4 in Kokkola. It will focus on identifying activities suitable for closer multi‑partner collaboration, exploring possible organizational models, and defining next steps. An invitation will be extended to all relevant stakeholders, including SMEs and employers.
