ECOSOS ­ - Contribution of Social Work and Systems of Income Security to the Ecosocial Transformation of Society

The ECOSOS-project examines how social work and systems of income security can inhibit or support sustainable sources of income that are not based on constant economic growth and the exploitation of natural resources. The research project is funded by the Academy of Finland (2015–2019). It connects the quest for an ecosocial transformation and the challenge of labour market integration. The project starts with collecting and analysing data about sustainable local solutions – so-called ecosocial innovations - in Finland, Germany, Belgium and Italy. The results will be contrasted with systems of income security in order to identify what enables or hinders the development of ecosocial innovations. In addition, group interview data is collected among Finnish social workers to understand how they could support an ecosocial transformation. The research project further investigates the work values of young unemployed in Finland. The research will conclude in a scientifically based “to-do-list” of factors to be changed in systems of income security and social work practice.

Ecosos
The Team of ECOSOS –research project at its kick-off.

Contacts:

  • Principal investigator of the project: Aila-Leena Matthies, Professor, Kokkola University Consortium,
  • Kati Närhi, Professor, University of Jyväskylä
  • Tuuli Hirvilammi, post-doc researcher, Kokkola University Consortium, tuuli.hirvilammi(at)chydenius.fi
  • Ingo Stamm, post-doc researcher, Kokkola University Consortium, ingo.stamm(at)chydenius.fi