FAMLEAD – Family Business Leadership Renewal

The FAMLEAD project strengthens leadership competence, change capability, and intergenerational collaboration in family businesses in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. The primary target group consists of micro and small-to-medium-sized family enterprises operating in the region. The project promotes inclusive and fair leadership practices that enhance employee participation, prevent internal conflicts, and support organizational renewal in a rapidly changing business environment.

The project responds to a key regional challenge: family businesses are statistically more likely than other firms to experience organizational tensions and encounter difficulties related to generational transitions, managing technological change, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. FAMLEAD supports these businesses in proactively and strategically addressing these issues.

The project consists of four work packages. First, it maps the current state of leadership and employee experiences in participating companies. Based on this data, a tailored training programme is developed, offering practical tools for change management, conflict resolution, technology adoption, and intergenerational dialogue. In addition, selected companies receive in-depth mentoring to support customized development efforts. Project coordination, communication, and result dissemination are also carried out.

The project emphasizes peer learning and hands-on co-creation. Trainings bring family businesses together to share experiences and collaboratively develop new leadership practices. Sessions will be organized, where possible, on the companies’ own premises to enhance contextual relevance. Digital training materials and tools will be made openly available.

Expected outcomes include improved leadership and HR practices, enhanced change capability, increased employee well-being, more strategic use of new technologies, and stronger business networks. In the longer term, the project contributes to the resilience, competitiveness, and employee engagement of family firms. The results also support the broader regional development goals of Northern Ostrobothnia.

The project is implemented by Centria University of Applied Sciences (coordinator), the Municipality of Liminka, and the University of Oulu’s Kerttu Saalasti Institute (MicroENTRE research group). The partnership is based on complementary expertise in leadership, entrepreneurship, regional development, and the support of micro and small enterprises.