Finland's Environmental Institute (Syke) will dismiss up to 80 employees following government budget reductions. The research institution must balance its finances by over €13 million through 2028.
The state conservation program has triggered funding cuts across government agencies. Syke's total financing will decrease by approximately 17% compared to 2025 levels.
Director General Leif Schulman acknowledged the difficult situation. 'The need for environmental research hasn't decreased but rather increased continuously,' he said in a statement.
The institute began change negotiations on Monday affecting all 700 employees. Beyond the potential 80 dismissals, up to 25 positions could become part-time.
Schulman described the financial picture as gradually worsening throughout autumn. 'Funding from outside the state budget framework is shrinking as separate financing ends,' he explained.
The contradiction is stark: environmental research demands are growing while resources shrink. EU restoration regulations and security matters require scientific input, yet the institute must operate with less.
Employee representatives expressed shock at the speed and scale of decisions. Special planner Panu Hänninen, who serves as staff representative, noted the deep silence that followed the announcement.
'Because of the government's savings measures, Syke employees and through them scientific research and monitoring will suffer,' Hänninen said.
The negotiations also cover operations of research vessel Aranda, though savings from ship activities are expected to be minimal. The vessel primarily conducts Baltic Sea research with 80-90 sea days annually.
Syke was established in 1995 and employs about 700 experts and researchers across Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä and Oulu. The institute provides expertise on global phenomena including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Environmental research faces a challenging paradox worldwide: societies need more scientific guidance precisely when funding becomes scarcer.