Vihreä Telakka: the institutionalisation of green care in public service provision (VIT)

Description

Vihreä Telakka is a green-care project focused on the rehabilitation, inclusion and activation of long-term unemployed; people with mental health and substance abuse issues; people with developmental disabilities; and others at risk of social exclusion. Implemented by the local Leader Group in South Savo, the project began as part of an ESF initiative.

This case is particularly interesting in terms of its process of institutionalisation and its interaction with public employment, healthcare, and wellbeing services, which have recently been in flux in Finland. The role of municipalities has changed significantly in the recent past, as the provision of healthcare services has been transferred from municipal level to ‘wellbeing services counties’ (regional level). Municipalities retain a function in the provision of ‘soft’ wellbeing services.

Aim

VIT case study aims to answer the research question: what is the structural and practical contribution of VIT to municipal wellbeing services after the current health care services reform?