BIWE Project Transferred from the Natural Resources Institute Finland to the University of Eastern Finland

The BIWE research project was transferred from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) to the University of Eastern Finland in May 2026.

The transition was completed as planned, and the project is now fully hosted by the University of Eastern Finland and Tampere University. Funding from the Strategic Research Council (SRC) continues without interruption.

Research activities involving study participants and collaborating organizations will continue as planned. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to the project. We greatly appreciate your commitment, support, and flexibility throughout this process.

The transition has, however, resulted in some delays in data analysis and the preparation of research outputs. We are working diligently to minimize these delays and to ensure that the project progresses according to schedule as quickly as possible.

“The transition has involved considerable practical arrangements, but we are now firmly established within our new organizational setting. The University of Eastern Finland provides an excellent environment for the project to generate scientifically robust and societally relevant results. Urban environments, ecosystem services, and health are among the university’s key research strengths,” says Principal Investigator Aki Sinkkonen, who joined the University of Eastern Finland as part of the transfer.

Adjunct Professor Olli Laitinen of Tampere University adds:

“The transfer from Luke to the University of Eastern Finland also secures the conditions necessary for the project’s continued success at Tampere University. It has been particularly encouraging to see how openly and smoothly different organizations have worked together throughout the transition. We are also grateful to the funding agency for its understanding and support during this process.”

We will continue to provide regular updates on the project’s progress and published findings through this website. If you have any questions about participating in the study, please do not hesitate to contact our research team. Updated contact information is available on the Research Group page.

We warmly thank all participants and everyone interested in our research.