Developing Municipal Preparedness – The Key Role of Businesses in Crisis Management

Municipal and business preparedness for crises and disruptions is becoming increasingly important in a rapidly changing world. As part of the NOHEVA project, ten municipalities in Northern Ostrobothnia were interviewed on the theme of preparedness, and the findings were used to select the topics for the February workshops. The workshop series provided a unique opportunity to deepen understanding of preparedness and develop concrete models for collaboration between municipalities and businesses. In this blog post, we summarize the key insights and recommendations from the workshop series.
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The workshop series consisted of two separate sessions, each focusing on different aspects of preparedness: cooperation between municipalities and the role of companies in crisis readiness. The workshops were conducted interactively on the Howspace platform, which enabled participants to engage anonymously and discuss issues openly. Participants included municipal representatives and representatives from municipal development companies, who brought valuable expertise and practical experience to the discussions.

Strengthening Municipal Cooperation in Preparedness

The first workshop (February 10, 2025) focused on developing inter-municipal cooperation from a preparedness perspective. Ari Korhonen, Development Manager at the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities, opened the session with a webinar presentation. The workshop discussions highlighted the following key themes:

  • Sudden and large-scale energy crisis – The need for decentralized energy production and backup power systems was emphasized. Specific issues raised included maintaining fuel reserves and addressing responsibility for social and healthcare facilities.
  • Widespread IT system failure – Strengthening cybersecurity and planning operational models for disruptions in digital systems were seen as critical priorities.
  • Prolonged population aging and labor shortages – Solutions to improve labor availability included attracting students to settle in the region and developing housing options.

Municipal cooperation was identified as having clear strengths, such as regional preparedness exercises and readiness forums. However, challenges included aligning diverse needs and ensuring effective information flow during crises. To enhance cooperation, participants suggested regular meetings, improved information exchange, and strengthening networks of key municipal officials.

Companies as Part of Regional Preparedness

The second workshop (February 17, 2025) focused on the role of companies in strengthening crisis readiness. Roope Siirtola, a preparedness expert from the National Emergency Supply Agency, highlighted the importance of companies in securing critical operations. Key workshop discussion points included:

  • Developing company crisis preparedness – Participants called for clear preparedness plans from companies and closer cooperation with municipalities. The importance of crisis preparedness in agriculture and food production was especially emphasized.
  • Critical industries for crisis readiness – Energy, water, food, and healthcare sectors were identified as essential industries whose operational reliability must be secured under all circumstances.
  • Long-term disruptions – A prolonged power outage was identified as the greatest risk, as it would directly impact food production, healthcare, and tourism.
  • Barriers and solutions to cooperation – Lack of trust and communication were seen as major barriers to cooperation. Suggested solutions included regular meetings, direct communication with businesses, and industry-specific development projects.

Key Insights and Recommendations

The NOHEVA workshop series provided valuable insights into municipal preparedness and the role of businesses in securing crisis readiness. The results of the workshops offer a solid foundation for concrete development actions, and cooperation between municipalities and businesses can be further strengthened in the future.

The key development areas and proposed solutions from the workshop discussions include:

Utilizing municipal cooperation networks – Regional preparedness forums and networks of technical directors provide useful tools for improving information exchange and cooperation.

Involving businesses in preparedness efforts – Municipalities can enhance crisis readiness by involving comnies more actively in the preparation of contingency plans and exercises.

Regular dialogue – Continuous information exchange and regular meetings between municipalities and companies strengthen cooperation and build trust.

Industry-specific preparedness plans – Concrete action models are needed for managing disruptions, especially in the energy, food, water, and healthcare sectors.

The NOHEVA project – Low-Carbon Crisis Preparedness Through Wood Construction and Tourism – is co-funded by the European Union. The project is led by the Kerttu Saalasti Institute of the University of Oulu, with project partners including Nivala Industrial Park Ltd., the City of Nivala, the Jokilaaksot Educational Consortium (JEDU), and local businesses. The Kerttu Saalasti Foundation also contributes funding.

Author: Laura Veikkola, M.Ed., Project Researcher, MicroENTRE Research Group, University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute