Organisation
Organisation chart
Management groups
The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) has an Operational Management Group and a Strategic Management Group.
For Syke's business and financial management and operational management tasks, the Director general is supported by an Operational Management Group, which includes the Research director, the Service development director, the Director of administration, the Digitalisation director, the Communication director and a staff representative.
The Strategic Management is supported by a wider Strategic Management Group, comprising the Research director, the Service development director, the Communication director and the Heads of units.
Operational management group
- Mr Leif Schulman, director general (chairman)
- Ms Eeva Primmer, research director
- Ms Heli Karjalainen, service development director
- Ms Terhi Wainio-Biese, director of administration
- Mr Kari Lahti, digitalisation director
- Mr Ville Korhonen, communication director
- Ms Johanna Mikkola-Pusa, representative of the personnel
Strategic management group
- Mr Leif Schulman, director general (chairman)
- Ms Eeva Primmer, research director
- Ms Heli Karjalainen, service development director
- Mr Ville Korhonen, communication director
- Mr Ari Nissinen, unit director
- Mr Pekka Leskinen, unit director
- Mr Marko Tainio, unit director
- Ms Aino Juslén, unit director
- Ms Anna-Stiina Heiskanen, unit director
- Mr Saku Anttila, unit director
- Ms Riikka Paloniemi, unit director
- Mr Tero Eklin, unit director
- Mr Kari Lahti, digitalisation director
- Ms Terhi Wainio-Biese, director of administration
The Finnish Environment Institute's advisory board
The advisory board has been appointed by the Ministry of the Environment until 31.12.2026. The advisory board evaluates environmental research and development, supports strategic planning and to promotes cooperation between the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) and its stakeholders.
Advisory board
Chairman of the board
Dean, professor Mikko Mönkkönen (University of Jyväskylä)
Other members of the board
- Research director Laura Höijer (Ministry of the Environment)
- Under-secretary of state Petri Peltonen (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland)
- Director Tuomas Hallenberg (Stora Enso)
- Director of Environment Services Miira Riipinen (City of Helsinki)
- Head of Business Development Tiina Nakari-Setälä (VTT Oy)
- Docent, entrepreneur Mari Pantsar (One Planet Oy)
- Director Timo Jokelainen (Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Lapland)
- Professor, vice dean Anne Toppinen (University of Helsinki)
- Chief policy adviser Janne Peljo (Confederation of Finnish Industries EK)
- Strategic director Pieta Jarva (Baltic Sea Action Group)
- Marine analyst, representantive of personnel Jere Riikonen (Finnish Environment Institute)
- Director general Leif Schulman (Finnish Environment Institute)
Research director Eeva Primmer acts as the secretary of the advisory board.
Units and functions
Operations of the Finnish Environment Institute are divided into five solution units, two cross-cutting units, four supportive services, and two functions supporting the management. The main tasks of the units and functions include research and development work as well as the provision of various services.
Solution units
Cross-cutting units
Supportive services
Financing
The financing for the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) comes from the state budget and from external sources. In 2024, Syke’s operating financing came to approximately 77 million euros:
- Direct budget allocations 29.6 M EUR (36%)
External financing 47.4 M EUR (64%)
More information of financing: Katja Paalanen
Syke as part of environmental administration
The activities of the Finnish Environment Institute are regulated by law. Syke is an environmental research and development centre under the Ministry of the Environment, which supports the assessment and selection of sustainable development objectives and means, as well as the implementation of environmental policy.
Syke also handles tasks related to the use and management of water resources that fall within the scope of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
In addition to research and development operations, Syke provides expert services and operates as a permit and supervising authority in matters related to, for example, the international waste shipments and the international trade in endangered plants and animals.