Arcada's sustainability work highlighted in national collection of articles

Published: 22.01.2026 / Research

A new collection of articles on sustainable development highlights how Finnish universities of applied sciences are working to promote a more sustainable society. The collection, published as part of Arene's sustainability and responsibility programme, contains a total of 29 articles from 20 universities of applied sciences, including Arcada.

The collection of articles Innovatiiviset kestävyysratkaisut aluekehityksessä (translated Innovative sustainability solutions in regional development), highlights sustainable development from four perspectives: ecological, economic, social, and cultural sustainability. In addition, the introductory chapter presents strategic measures for universities of applied sciences to consider for strengthened sustainability work, and contributions to social development locally and globally.

‘In the articles, we highlight how Arcada's sustainability work is strengthened by creating meaning, managing knowledge, and balancing the values of nature with social justice for future generations. By refining and disseminating the insights we gain in our research and development activities, we ensure that knowledge does not remain at an idea level but develops into lasting social change’, says Tomas Träskman, principal lecturer in accountability and sustainability, and one of the collection’s editors.

Together, Träskman and his colleagues Annikki Arola, Paula Linderbäck, Laura Montin, and Camilla Wikström-Grotell have written about their insights from the BalticReed project, which focuses on identifying potential value chains for reed biomass, and the FOR-MER project, which focuses on collaboration with the working world.  

The collection of articles is aimed at both the higher education sector, and other actors interested in sustainable development and the role of education in the transition to a more sustainable society. As the sustainability work of universities of applied sciences deepens and develops, this collection will become an annual publication.  

Arcada’s articles (in Swedish) in the collection are:

  • Projekt BalticReed – näring, natur och nya värdekedjor i Östersjöns vassbälten (p. 92)
  • Läckage i innovationsprocesser inom högre utbildning och arbetslivssamarbete: Projekt FOR-MER Arcada UAS (p. 106) 

More about Arcada’s sustainability work at arcada.fi/sustainability

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