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KENYA - Mitengos Uncovered: Exploring Taita Hills' Community Forests

In the heart of Taita Hills, the team set out to map and understand Mitengos, community-managed forests that sustain local livelihoods. Based at the University of Helsinki Research Station, the students collaborated with the community to explore Mitengos and their characteristics. Through field observations and interviews, the team collected data about the unique importance of Mitengos. 

"Our findings will contribute to sustainable solutions that balance community needs and environmental conservation!"

Mentor: Daniel Chrisendo (post-doctoral researcher)

Link to project report / material will be added soon.

MEXICO - Action LAB Mexico (ALM):  Exploring Solar Technology Integration with Mayan Community in Mexico

In the Mayan community of Ejido 20 de Noviembre, Campeche, students from Aalto University, the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM), and Universidad Modelo collaborated through the longstanding interdisciplinary project, Action LAB Mexico. The Aalto team focused on developing solar ovens and solar distillation systems, exploring their potential integration within the community.

Through participating in traditional cooking, community engagement and testing, they explored practical uses of solar technology while also gathering insights on local experiences and perceptions to guide more context-sensitive future projects.

Mentors: Anni Juvakoski (post-doctoral researcher), Bhattarabhop Viriyaroj (doctoral researcher) and Pragati Singhal (teacher)

Link to project report / material will be added soon.

*The ALM Co-Mentora project is supported by the TFK Programme of the Finnish National Agency for Education (2023 - 2025)

NEPAL 1: Empowering Change Through Hygiene Education

Is talking about menstruation and sanitation still a taboo or a tool for change? That’s what Team Sahakarya, a group of four students, explored in Devchuli, Nepal. For raising awareness around menstrual health, hygiene, and waste management, the team interviewed locals, teachers and held workshops in two secondary schools.

To make this happen, they partnered with the NGO WaterFinns, the Center for Appropriate Technology Nepal, and Sagarmatha Engineering College, achieving valuable local collaboration knowledge-sharing.

Mentor: Julia Sundman (doctoral researcher) and Anup Shrestha (doctoral researcher)

Link to project report / material will be added soon.

*This study case is supported by Maa- ja vesitekniikan tuki ry, Finland (2025 - 2028).

NEPAL 2: Water as a power source and a risk factor – flood impacts on hydropower and surrounding communities

How do floods affect hydropower and local people in Nepal? Together with Tribhuvan University students, the Aalto team visited three hydropower plants in Trishuli, Mandu, and Kulekhani. The team talked to engineers, dam operators, local communities and other stakeholders.

The team learned how floods damage farms, homes, and energy systems, and how local people stay resilient. The goal of the project is to understand different perspectives on flood impacts and highlight the efforts to manage risks. By sharing these experiences, the team is investigating ways to prepare for floods and protect both people and infrastructure. 

Mentor:Jeroen Poelert (doctoral researcher)

Link to project report / material will be added soon.

*Supported by CEEECoM project that is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.

LESOTHO : Waste to energy - knowledge for sustainability

This project tackled waste and energy issues in Lesotho with the National University of Lesotho and the Hub youth center. The main focus of the team was on knowledge exchange by participating in an NUL course and hosting workshops, which offered valuable insights into local perspectives and the change young people hope to see.

"We hope the workshops and learning materials we created after the field trip will inspire the youth to take action in solving these complex problems."

Mentor: Marko Kallio (post-doctoral researcher)

Link to project report / material will be added soon.

*Supported by the EDUCase Platform

SENEGAL - Brick by Brick: A Knowledge-sharing Platform for Sustainable and Affordable Housing in Senegal

This project tackles the urgent need for affordable and sustainable housing in Senegal. Through collaborations, meetings, and workshops with various housing stakeholders in the region, including construction companies, NGOs, and governmental organizations, the team learned that innovative housing solutions exist but they remain fragmented and inaccessible. To bridge this gap, they developed an interactive knowledge-sharing platform where different stakeholders can connect, exchange expertise, and collaborate on housing challenges through best practices in sustainable building methods, financing, administration, and neighborhood planning.

Mentor: Helena Sandman (architect and founding partner at leapfrog projects)

Link to project report / material will be added soon.

*Supported by the EDUCase Platform

UNHCR BRAZIL, Ponto de Encontro: enhancing the lives of Brazilian residents and Venezuelan refugees in Vila Jardim

The Ponto de Encontro team focuses on the collaborative project in Boa Vista, Roraima, with UNHCR Brazil, aiming at enhancing the lives of Brazilian residents and Venezuelan refugees in Vila Jardim. This student-led initiative focused on engaging the community through participatory outdoor planning, leading to the creation of a shared urban garden. 

The Vila Jardim Urban Garden, now known as “Horta Ponto de Encontro”, is more than a green space; it is an educational tool that demonstrates the benefits of urban gardening, sustainable practices, and food sovereignty. This project was aimed at community members by involving them in the design and maintenance of the garden, while also holding intercultural workshops with both the children and adults involved in the community center, fostering a sense of ownership and community spirit. 

"We hope to be cultivating a model of sustainable urban living, promoting ecological responsibility, and supporting a diverse community in their journey towards resilience and integration."

Instagram:

Mentor: Kristjana Adalgeirsdottir, Architect, doctoral candidate, founder of ARCHXUS ngo

*Students were supported by the Maa- ja vesitekniikan tuki ry

MEXICO, Action LAB Mexico (ALM): Promoting the vitality and sustainable development of the Mayan community 

The ALM’24 team collaborates with the Universidad Modelo (Mérida, Mexico) to promote the vitality and sustainable development of the Mayan community. This year, the aim was to find ways to help artisans promote their handicrafts and increase sales.

The team interviewed 7 leading artisans in the village and discovered how they dealt with external and internal risks, such as the construction of the Mayan train, the pandemic, and generational motivations. After several iterations, the team decided to take professional product photos for artisans so that they can use them when seeking potential collaboration opportunities with outside organizations or partners. 

Mentor: Anni Juvakoski, post-doctoral researcher

*The ALM Co-Mentora project is supported by the TFK Programme of the Finnish National Agency for Education (2023 - 2025)

NEPAL: Farm to Fork in The Nepalese Hospitality Industry

The Nepal team worked together with students from colleges in Lalitpur, Nepal, namely the Asian Institute of Technology & Management (AITM) and Sagarmatha Engineering College (SEC) with the given topic Sustainability of Food Systems in the Nepalese Hospitality Industry. 

The team conducted 19 interviews with various stakeholders of the food supply chain, including hotels, agro-tourism resort staff, farmers, supply chain managers and associations in Kathmandu Valley and Helsinki.

The aim of the project was to gain an understanding of the challenges and possibilities in improving the resilience and transparency of food systems, as well as the sustainability of tourism in Nepal. 

"With this project, we hope to promote discussion and bring awareness to the problems facing the sustainability of the food system in the Nepalese hospitality industry, ultimately paving the way for constructive solutions and positive change."

Mentor: Avinash Dhital, project specialist, Aalto Global Impact

*Supported by the EDUCase Platform

ZAMBIA: Empowering Women in Mining: A Step Towards Inclusivity 

In collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), this project seeks to explore women’s access to employment opportunities within Zambia's mining and water management sectors, where historical male dominance has restricted female participation.

The main outputs include a comprehensive report and presentation, based on insight gathered through a visit to an underground mine and interviews with various stakeholders in the mining sector. These deliverables seek to identify challenges hindering women's involvement and offer recommendations for enhancing female employment in the mining and water industries to our partners. 

Mentor: Daniel Chrisendo, post-doctoral researcher

*Supported by UNIDO

LESOTHO: The Lesotho Green Energy Project

This project aims to raise awareness of the energy situation of Lesotho and to establish a cooperation with the local university and students. The final outputs of this project are a photo series within Aalto University, a blog post about the energy situation in Lesotho and our field trip, as well as a student aid document for the students in Lesotho.

From the middle of February to the beginning of March 2024, an enthusiastic and energized team embarked on a field trip to Lesotho to assess its green energy potential. The field trip was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the DEPLOY project, involving Aalto University, University of Turku and the National University of Lesotho. It offered a valuable understanding of the societies’ energy needs and prospects of integrating renewable energy into the people’s daily lives in pursuit of sustainable development.

"By understanding the challenges faced in places like Lesotho, we can all play a part in the global tapestry of change, whether by lending expertise, developing technologies, or simply by spreading the word."

Blog:  

Mentor: Marko Kallio, post-doctoral researcher

*Supported by the EDUCase Platform

UNHCR BRAZIL, Ponto de Encontro: Supporting the integration of Indigenous Venezuelan refugees through participatory design with Venezuelan Indigenous community Warao a Janoko & UNHCR Brazil

The indigenous Venezuelan refugees group, Warao a Janoko Community, is located in Cantá, Brazil which is the focus group for the Brazil team. The community expresses their need to learn more about composting and rainwater gathering to increase their food production in the area. Using participatory methods, the Ponto de Encontro project has designed multiple workshops which include a rainwater gathering prototype for the community. Finally, the team published a book that shares the stories from Waro a Janoko community, and knowledge gained from the project.

Books:

Blog post:

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MEXICO, Project Gente Resiliente de el Viente, Action LAB Mexico (ALM):

Through multiple years of collaborations between Aalto University, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), and Universidad Modelo and the indigenous Mayan village called Ejido 20 de Noviembre, came a new project this year. The project "Gente Resiliente de el Veinte" meaning the resilient people of el Veinte which is part of the Action LAB Mexico, focuses on documenting and presenting the community’s relationship with water. Also, the project built a solar water purifier prototype with the local community which enables the possibility of better water resilience. Details of the project can be seen below.

Final report:

Documentation video:

Blog post:

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BHUTAN, Project Boss Grunniens, PBL South Asia: Supporting the community resilience against natural hazards

This project focuses on building resilience towards natural hazards in Dewathang, Bhutan area. With the collaboration with Jigme Namgyel Engineering College (JNEC) and funding from EDUCase, the project uses interviews with the local community and multiple workshops with the local students to gather information. Finally, the Boss Grunniens team created a series of comic strips to share the gathered information back to the community.

Final report:

Blog post:

Comic strips:

Instagram:

ZAMBIA, PBL BioAfrica: Wastewater treatment facilities with the University of Zambia & Mulungushi University

Through collaboration with three different universities: Aalto University, University of Zambia, and Mulungushi University, the Zambia Wastewater team has designed a conceptual model which addresses different challenges for the wastewater treatment facilities. Practical solutions have been designed in the form of diagrams and compiled into a handbook aiming to equip the clients with information to incorporate resilience-based asset management into their own organization strategy.

Final report:

Blog post:

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ZAMBIA, PBL BioAfrica: Supreme Fertilizer with University of Zambia & Mulungushi University

In this project, an extensive research in collaboration with Ross Breeders, students from the University of Zambia and Mulungushi University, as well as external stakeholders have been made to provide a promising solution to the animal-waste problems. Feathers and blood were by-products from the business but with this project business model, which propose to Ross Breeders to make feathers and blood into fertilizer that can be used in the company’s supply chain and/or sold to the farmers.

Final report:

Blog post:

Instagram:

UNHCR BRAZIL, Ponto de Encontro: Increasing the well-being of Venezuelan refugees at the refugee shelters in Boa Vista, Brazil

The goal of this humanitarian project was to increase the wellbeing of Venezuelan refugees at the refugee shelters in Boa Vista, in collaboration with UNHCR Brazil. Through a series of expert meetings, refugee interviews and focus groups, the team designed a common safe space in the Abrigo’s (shelters) so-called neutral space. The purpose of the space was to support the different needs of the refugees for education, free time activities, small businesses, daycare and more. The place was planned especially with women and children in mind.

Final report:

Blog post:

Instagram:

BHUTAN & Nepal, Project ALFAS, PBL South Asia: Raising awareness of flood risks and mitigation measures in the Himalayan region

In this final edition of PBL South Asia collaboration, Aalto’s team worked with students from Jigme Namgyel Engineering College (JNEC), Bhutan and experts from Nepal Engineering College and Sagarmatha Engineering College, Nepal to study flood preparedness in vulnerable communities. The main outcome of the collaboration were posters and water bottle labels which aimed to raise the locals’ understanding of flood risks and mitigation measures within their living areas.

Final report:

Blog post:

Instagram:

KENYA, Project Kegri, AgriSCALE: Increasing consumer awareness of bioethanol as a cooking fueld derived from an invasive plant species

Project Kegri collaborated with participants from Egerton University and Hämeen Ammattikorkeakoulu  to deliver new customer insights to raise awareness on the use bioethanol as a sustainable cooking fuel, replacing firewood, charcoal and kerosene. The output of this project is a report and marketing materials produced from the on-field scoping of current awareness and attitude of locals the user of bioethanol as a cooking fuel. These insights will define the target group for an awareness raising campaign of bioethanol consumption.

Final report:

Blog post:

Fact sheet:

Marketing video:

Instagram:

Action Lab Mexico, El 20: Co-creating strategies to strengthen the autonomy of an indigenous community in Campeche, Mexico in collaboration with Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Universidad Modelo and Design Your Action (DYA)

Blog:

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UNHCR Tanzania, Project Zani: Creating suggestions for hygiene promotion methods and activities addressing behavior change in Tanzanian refugee camps in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

Instagram:

Bhutan, Project Mapit, PBL South Asia: Raising awareness on landslide susceptibility in Dewathang Gewog, Samdrup Jongkhar of Bhutan with Jigme Namgyel Engineering College, Royal University of Bhutan

Website:

Action Lab Mexico, El 20: Co-creating future scenarios for cooking and dining in an indigenous community in Campeche, Mexico with Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Universidad Modelo and Design Your Action (DYA)

Blog:

Instagram:

Studio SaJo, PBL South Asia: Supporting the development of sustainable waste management in Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan with the Royal University of Bhutan

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SUWAMA Project, Kenya: Supporting selected water utilities in assessing their revenue collection potential and improving their financial sustainability with Water Sector Trust Fund (WSTF)

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Project Amaka, Uganda, PBL East Africa: Envisioning a thriving and self-reliant community of Katanga in terms of water needs with Makerere University, the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) and Aalto Global Impact (AGI)

Instagram:

Aalto LAB Mexico, El20: Mapping the village of EL 20 to promote community tourism. Collaboration with Design Your Action (DYA), Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
Blog:
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Nepal, Nepali, PBL South Asia: Building disaster resilience through communal synergies. Collaboration with Asian Institute of Technology and Management AITM, Kathmandu, Nepal and Aalto Global Impact, PBL South Asia.
Website:
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Kenya, SUWAMA: Finding self-sustaining and efficient ways to manage water resources. Collaboration with Water Sector Trust Fund (WSTF).
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Uganda, Aha-MAK, PBL East Africa: Promoting creative co-working and innovation in Makerere University. Collaboration with Makerere University and Aalto Global Impact, PBL East Africa.
Website:

Aalto LAB Mexico, Uxuxubí: Building a model for community-led ecotourism. First Phase. Collaboration with the local university (Tecnológico de Cancún) and local community. Uxuxubí, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Blog:

Aalto LAB Mexico, El20 Cuxta-ha: Living water / Artesanía para el Bienestar & Community tourism / Household material footprint in El 20 de Noviembre, Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico. Collaboration with local universities (UNAM, TEC de Monterray Mexico City Campus), local NGO (Design Your Action) and local community of El20 de Noviembre.
Blog:
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Nepal, Aalto WiT (World in Transition) LAB: Post-disaster sustainable reconstruction in Nepal. Collaboration with Asian Institute of Technology and Management AITM.
Blog: 
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Facebook: 
Twitter: 

Tanzania, U R IN Tanzanitation: Sustainable sanitation in urban informal settlements in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Collaboration with Urbantransitioners and CCI.
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Kenya, WatBus: Improving water services in poor and underserved rural communities in Kenya. Collaboration with Water Sector Trust Fund (WSTF), Aalto New Global, and Aalto ENG Water & Development research group.
Blog:

Uganda, Up-plastic, PBL East Africa: Working towards a better livelihood in peri-urban communities in Kampala, Uganda. Recycling plastic and steel wastes to produce low-cost sustainable building units. Collaboration with several Aalto programs, Aalto Global Impact, Makerere University, University of Nairobi & University of Dar es Salaam.
Blog:
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Tanzania, Upward Spiral – Tanzitation Squad: Contributing to improving sanitation in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In Collaboration with local NGO (CCI), local urban informal communities in Dar es Salaam.
Blog:
Insta:

Aalto LAB Mexico: Three sub-projects in El20: Cuxta-ha – Living water, manual for water quality testing / Artesanía para el Bienestar & Community tourism / Household material footprint in El 20 de Noviembre, Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico. Collaboration with local universities (UNAM, TEC de Monterray Mexico City Campus), local NGO (Design Your Action) and local community of El20 de Noviembre.
Blog:

Aalto LAB Mexico, Philein Project in Uxuxubí: Building a model for community-led ecotourism. First Phase. Collaboration with the local university (Tecnológico de Cancún) and the local community. Uxuxubí, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Blog:

Aalto LAB Mexico, Philein Project in San Pancho: Supporting the local community to address development issues caused by growing tourism. First phase. Collaboration with local NGO (Design Your Action) and local university (TEC de Monterray Guadalajara Campus). San Pancho, Nayarit, Mexico.
Blog:
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LIFT Athens: Creating a positive impact in the lives of asylum seekers and refugees in Greece. Collaboration with Finn Church Aid.
Blog:
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Aalto LAB Mexico, Cuxta-ha – Living water: Improving understanding of the water systems in El 20. El 20 de Noviembre, Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico. Collaboration with local universities (UNAM, TEC de Monterray Mexico City Campus, Tec de Calakmul & CEDIM) and local community of El20 de Noviembre.
Blog:
Facebook:

Uganda, UniWASH: Concept proposal for emptying school latrines and reusing the sludge as a fertilizer in a financially sustainable way and create proposal for an implementation plan. Collaboration with UNICEF, Aalto University, University of Helsinki, Makerere University Uganda. *) Joint project with IDBM Industry project.
Blog:
Video:

Greece, LIFT Lesvos: Responding to the humanitarian and the environmental crisis on Lesvos, Greece.
Blog:

Nepal, MIS (Management Information System) to the Rescue: Tackling rural water management problems in Nepal. Collaboration with Aalto Water & Development Research Group (WDRG).

Tanzania, Nanomaji: Reinventing water purification in Tanzania. Collaboration with Aalto New Global Research Group & Ahlström.  *) first joint project with IDBM industry project. Lead to start-up. Awarded.

Aalto LAB Mexico. Cuxta-ha – Living water: Finding solutions to water and sanitation challenges. Water quality testing in El20. El 20 de Noviembre, Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico. Collaboration with local universities (UNAM, Tec de Monterray Mexico City campus) and the local community of El20 de Noviembre.

The Philippines, Bohol in Motion: Post-disaster development. *) Joint project in the Philippines with Cities in Transition course.

Lebanon, Al-Amal Institute for Disabled: Rock Village, water reuse and biogas plant. Lebanon.
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South Africa, World Design Capital Cape Town: Talkoot Taxi. South Africa.

Mozambique, Taksvärkki ry: Waterless sanitation in Mozambique.
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Tanzania: Aalto University Creative Sustainability Master’s Programme with Centre for Community Initiatives CCI. Affordable housing in Chamazi, urban scenarios in Dar es Salaam, Solid waste management, Tanzania. *) joint field trip with SGT (ENG), Cities in Transition (ARTS) & How to change the world (BIZ), all participated in SGT programme.
Blog, housing:
Blog, urban:
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Lebanon, Al-Amal Institute for Disabled: Rock Village, self-sufficient water management and water use system. *) field trip.
Blog:

South Africa, United Development: Waterless sanitation in South Africa.

Green Action Nepal (NGO): Secrets of Nepal. Connections between eco-tourism and waste management in rural Nepal.

Tanzania: Aalto University Creative Sustainability Master’s Programme with Centre for Community Initiatives CCI. Special projects with urban informal communities on housing, flooding, sanitation and waste management *) joint field trip with SGT (ENG), Cities in Transition (ARTS) & How to change the world (BIZ).
Blog, waste:

Lebanon, Al-Amal Institute for Disabled: Rock Village self-sustaining energy solution *) field trip.
Blog:

Brazil, WWF, The New Generation Plantations project survey:

Taipei City Government: Urban Ecopunture – creating new urban spaces by opening up the covered Leo-Gong Channel. *) field trip.
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Kenya, Education Finder: Making Learning Fun through Games – developing a learning game for developing countries* Tested afterwards in Kenyan schools and developed further.
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Finland: Aalto University Water and Development Research Group with Kemira: Phosphorus recycling.
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Finland: Aalto Design Factory, Sustainable Campus; Waste Management.
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SHALIN Finland: Building electronics to last, beyond e-waste management

Kemira: Nanomaterial and Plastic Debris in Aquatic system.
Blog:

City of Taipei: Taipei River Urbanism *) first SGT field trip.
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Blog flash: (link not working in restricted networks)

Belaku Trust India: Toying with Trash.
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SHALIN Suomi ry: Solar – Reflecting Energy for Community Development. Investigating the concept of solar concentrators and their application.
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Finland, Nokia Siemens Networks: Innovative Solar Power for Remote Communities.
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Finland, Aalto University: Water and Development Research Group: Transboundary Waters, need for Finland.
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Finland, City of Paimio: Mustionjoki Cultural River Restoration.
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Kisumu municipality: Solid Waste Management: Purging/Plastic.
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WSP Group Finland: Transportation Planning in Amman, Jordan
TKK Water & Development Research Group: Role of Hydropower  Sector to Promote Sustainable Development in Romania
SHALIN Suomi ry: Community Energy Based Solution to Climate Change Mitigation. Designing Technologies for Low Cost Carbon Capture and Storage for Local Communities
Nokia Siemens Networks: Village Connection
City of Taipei: Guandu-river master plan

UN-HABITAT: Tsunami Reconstrucion Evaluation in Banda Aceh Indonesia
SHALIN Suomi ry: Designing Participatory Tools for Sustainable Development in Kenya
SHALIN Suomi ry: Renewable Energy for Sustainable Communities and Universal Ecology – Use in Kenya

Cities Beyond oil competition: Greater Helsinki Vision 2050
Sunila Oy: New Ways to Reuse/Recycle Pulp Mill Wastes
Finn Church Aid: Assessment of Farmer Field School in Bangladesh
Finn Church Aid: Analysis of Rural Development Programme in India 2001-2005
TKK Water and Development Research Group: Critical Issues for Sustainable Large-Scale Irrigation, with emphasis on the Stung Chinit Project, Kompong Thom, Cambodia
Ramboll Finnconsult: Rural Telephony and Municipal Connectivity in Nicaragua