VHOPIS

Branch: Chemistry and bioeconomy

Duration: 1.8.2025-31.12.2026

Region: Central Ostrobothnia / Ostrobothnia

Financed by: Keski-Pohjanmaan liitto

Budget: 387 570 €

Project Manager: Mira Valkjärvi

The VHOPIS project aims to improve water resource management as part of green transition investments, such as hydrogen production, battery industry, and bioenergy. The project will be implemented during 2025–2026, coordinated by Centria University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with Vaasa and Turku Universities of Applied Sciences. Activities will focus on the regions of Central Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia, and Southwest Finland.

The main goal is to promote sustainable development in terms of clean water and ensure that the impacts of clean investments on water resources are considered already in the planning phase. To support this, the project will produce the first interregional water roadmap, serving both regional and national guidance purposes.

VHOPIS responds to the need for more coherent and integrated water resource management, which has previously been fragmented and sector-specific. This fragmentation has caused delays in investment projects and increased environmental risks. The project aims to streamline permitting processes, improve local acceptance, and strengthen the consideration of ecosystem services provided by natural waters.

Target groups include actors from industry, public administration, and society, such as financiers, urban planners, water utilities, environmental organizations, port operators, and data centers. The project also supports universities, research institutes, and education providers in developing expertise related to water economy and climate resilience.

The project consists of five work packages addressing the role of water in investments, management of natural and industrial waters, industrial symbioses, as well as project communication and administration. Outputs include a water roadmap, reports on legislation and permitting processes, and a practical guide for water management in industrial areas.

VHOPIS has long-term impacts: it supports investment planning, strengthens Finland’s attractiveness as an investment destination, and promotes climate resilience. All results will be published openly and utilized in future research, development, and education initiatives.

The total budget of the project is 151 138 € of which 80% is funded by the EU and the Finnish government, 10% by municipalities, and 10% by other public funding. Results will be published in the Theseus database and on the implementers’ websites.

News:

Welcome to the Water Forum, which brings together implementers of clean transition investment projects, stakeholders, as well as experts and authorities across regional boundaries. The aim of the Water Forum is to strengthen cooperation, share experiences, and jointly build a water roadmap for clean investments.

The next meeting of the Water Forum will take place online on 25th of May 2026 from 9:00 to 11:00
Register latest 19.5.2026 here: REGISTER HERE

The Considering Water Resources as Part of Clean Investments (VHOPIS) project is creating a joint Water Forum for investment project implementers, stakeholders, experts, and authorities.

Many green transition technologies are intensive in their use of water resources. Water management is essential when carrying out green transition investments. Currently, these water‑related needs are not adequately considered across sectors in different strategies and legislation, which may lead to delays in investment projects.

The VHOPIS project focuses on cross-sectoral and cross-administrative cooperation in the water sector to ensure that water resources are taken into account in the planning, permitting, supervision, and environmental impact monitoring of clean transition investments. The project compiles information on best practices and identifies cross-sectoral opportunities for further development and new forms of collaboration. Its goal is to improve the clarity and transparency of the operating environment for clean transition investments and to streamline the implementation of investment projects, for example by enhancing local acceptability and speeding up information gathering during permitting processes.

For whom?
The forum is intended for implementers of clean investment projects, stakeholders, and experts and authorities working in water expertise and sustainable development.

Why participate?
The Water Forum provides a shared platform where:

the needs of project partners and target groups are made visible,
coordinated cooperation is promoted through meetings, workshops, and digital platforms,
previous experiences are utilized, and
concrete actions and solutions are jointly developed to facilitate investment processes.

As an outcome of the forum’s work, the project’s main deliverable, the water roadmap for clean investments, will be compiled. It will support companies, municipalities, and regions in the wise use of water and in sustainable growth solutions.

Additional information:

Johanna Nysten
+358 20 766 3342
johanna.nysten@vamk.fi

Mira Valkjärvi
+358 50 5712082
mira.valkjarvi@centria.fi

The first workshop was held at Turku University of Applied Sciences’ Kupittaa campus on a sunny March day, when representatives from eight different organizations gathered around the same tables. In the workshop, civil society organizations emphasized that the assessment of water impacts needs greater clarity, a more understandable presentation format, and more genuine opportunities to influence the process. The heavy nature of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) materials and the weak visibility of feedback in decision-making undermine trust in the processes. Early interaction and more open practices were seen as key means for achieving more sustainable and acceptable solutions.