Evaluation Report: Finland’s Development Cooperation in the Environment and Natural Resources Sectors
This independent evaluation examined how Finland’s development cooperation has succeeded in advancing development policy objectives and promoting positive changes in environmental conditions and the sustainable use of natural resources during 2010–2024. The evaluation covered four thematic areas: forests, ecosystems and biodiversity; disaster risk reduction and meteorology; clean energy, circular economy and critical minerals; and water as a natural resource. In addition, it assessed opportunities for private sector engagement within these sectors.
Finland’s support has achieved significant results that have improved environmental conditions and the sustainable use of natural resources, such as increased forest cover and improved access to clean water. Finland has strengthened partner countries’ decision-making and implementation capacities related to environmental and natural resource data and institutions. The most sustainable system‑level outcomes emerged when technical expertise was combined with implementation and financing pathways. Through civil society organisations and multilateral partners, Finland supported the protection of biodiversity as well as monitoring and governance processes. Examples of private‑sector involvement were found across different sectors, but participation was hindered by insufficient preparatory support and limited brokerage capacity. Finland’s technical credibility and long-standing partnerships were recognised as strengths, but resource cuts undermine continuity, expertise and delivery capacity.
The evaluation recommends that Finland should focus on targeted, long‑term partnerships and ensure that projects have clear institutional anchoring, continuity and delivery pathways. Biodiversity should be addressed as a standalone objective, and rights‑based approaches should be systematically integrated into project design. The use of development finance and cooperation instruments should be considered based on their strengths, and private‑sector engagement should be a deliberate strategic choice. Private sector cooperation should be supported particularly in areas where Finland has a technical competitive edge, and rapid preparatory support is needed. The Team Finland network is advised to establish a clear environment and natural‑resource pathway and strengthen knowledge sharing. Finally, the evaluation stresses that objectives related to private‑sector participation should align with the resources available.
Launched in autumn 2024, the evaluation was based on theories of change developed for this purpose. The findings draw on an extensive document analysis, interviews, data‑science methods and geospatial analysis, comparisons with peer countries, and an electronic survey sent to private‑sector actors. The analysis also included case studies of Finnfund, Finnpartnership, EU Global Gateway initiatives, and multilateral blended‑finance mechanisms.
The evaluation report consists of four thematic reports and a synthesis report drawing together the findings.
Reports
Volume 2a: Forests, Ecosystems and Biodiversity (PDF, 179 pages, 5.8 MB)
Volume 2b: Water as a Natural Resource (PDF, 128 pages, 3.7 MB)
Volume 2c: Energy, Circular Economy and Critical Minerals (PDF, 106 pages, 2.5 MB)
Summary
Results that Last, Pathways that Scale (PDF, 4 pages, 600 KB)
Paving the Way for Finnish Business in the Environmental Sectors (PDF, 3 pages, 313 KB)
Other material
Interactive map: FORVAC's VLFRs interactive tree cover change map 2017 - 2024 (html, 4.8 MB)
Interactive map: PFP's woodlots interactive plantation map 2016 - 2024 (html, 15.4 MB)