Case Tomorrow's West Uusimaa: future analysis as a reinforcement of regional vitality

Tomorrow's West Uusimaa (www.inmybackyard.fi) is a citizens' network that operates especially in the western Uusimaa region.Its mission is to promote an open and constructive debate on developments affecting municipalities in the region, to support cooperation between municipalities and to provide expert opinions to support municipal policy-making.

More Than Group and the Tomorrow's West Uusimaa network started working together in late 2025 to build visions of the future of the region. ”The main idea behind the future pictures was to use them to bring a topical and new perspective to the political debate. Locally, it is easy to get bogged down in what has already been done and the burning issues of the day, and yet we should also look at where we are going and what kind of decisions will affect the future. So we wanted to bring a forward-looking perspective to the local debate,” says the starting point Founder of the Tomorrow's West Uusimaa network and councillor for the municipality of Inko Antti Harjuoja.

The More Than Group conducted a survey of residents in the area, which received over 200 responses. The survey gathered information on what kind of future residents want to see in the area, and what trends they are concerned about. Based on these results, small group work and an analysis of the external environment, three different possible futures were constructed, offering a vision of how the future of the area could develop. The final report of the project can be found here: https://www.inmybackyard.fi/tulevaisuuskuvat-2035/

On the basis of the report, residents' evenings were organised in Inkoo and Siuntio, where panels of political decision-makers discussed the ideas raised by the report and how municipal policy and cooperation within the region can influence developments.

You can read about the Inkoo event here: https://www.kirkkonummensanomat.fi/tulevaisuuskuvat-selvitys-avasi-kolme-mahdollista-tulevaisuutta-lansiuudellemaalle-6.175.84090.dc3414524b

You can read about the Siuntio event here: https://www.inmybackyard.fi/l/yhteistyo-ja-rohkeat-paatokset-nousivat-keskioon-lansi-uusimaan-tulevaisuustilaisuudessa-siuntiossa/

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The process and its outcomes are praised by local politicians. ”What is particularly positive is how much the report has stimulated debate in different fora. The subject has been a topic of discussion, and we have received many comments that there should be more of this kind of debate. We really got some relevant input for the policy debate,” he said. Antti thanks. ”Siuntio is also currently working on a strategy, and the thinking behind this report can be used in that work. The scenarios we built made it clear that the choices we make today will be reflected in different trajectories in the years to come. We cannot influence everything and certain factors are given, but we can discuss how we respond to them.”

”This has been a very interesting experience for me, because it's important for me to innovate and think about the future. For the first time, a vision was created for Western Uusimaa, and a forward-looking debate was held around it,” he continues. Kim Juntunen, Member of Siuntio Municipal Council.

Antti and Kim thank More Than Group for a smooth, easy and forward-looking cooperation. ”Working with More Than Group is really nice. You have the project in sight all the time, the division of labour is clear, and there is a good understanding of what is going to happen next all the time. The great thing is how this whole thing has influenced people's thinking and therefore the discussion. I hope that this development will also be reflected in the strategies and actions of municipalities.” Antti sums up.

”I have liked your issue-oriented approach. We are politicians and we have ideologies, whereas you are professionals with expertise. What has been great in the process is the cross-fertilisation - we discussed ideologies through party politics and you brought objective expertise. Sometimes we genuinely disagreed on issues, but we discussed them openly and together we found solutions on how to move forward. All in all, it was really easy to work together and it was good for my own thinking.” Kim continues.

Both Antti and Kim hope that a similar process will continue in the future. ”I hope we can update the strategy and ideas as things progress. I would really like to see the dialogue with you continue.” Kim concludes.

To whom would you recommend similar cooperation?

”For many,” Antti laughs. ”In general, all actors who want to be competitive now and in the future will benefit from forward-looking work. On the public side, there will be a lot of changes in the future - the economic situation of Finnish society, the situation of municipalities. There are painful decisions ahead. This type of process helps us to look ahead and think about what we can and cannot influence.”

Why with More Than Group?

”You combine expertise, professionalism and efficiency. This process has been done from a really client-focused, time-efficient point of view, with a really smart end result. The process has been challenging and solution-oriented for the participants, and our thinking hasn't been taken lightly,” Antti thanks.

”Working with you has been honest, challenging, effective and enjoyable. I have also gained new perspectives on my own thinking. The discussion has been conducted in a good spirit, sparring, and at the same time challenging assumptions in a good way. As a participant, it has been a really good experience.” Kim concludes.

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In addition to the references described above, we have carried out a number of different types of client projects, and we are happy to share the lessons learned with you.