GEF Talks at Edellä Forum (Helsinki)
What would it mean to approach the green transition not simply as a set of environmental policies, but as a broader reconstruction of our economies and societies? The Green European Foundation joins the Edellä Forum for a GEF Talks session, exploring bold visions for a green economy and ecological reconstruction, while unpacking the tensions, opportunities and challenges to reimagine prosperity in a drastically changing world.
About the event
On 19 September 2026, the Green European Foundation joins Visio for the Edellä Forum in Helsinki.
Edellä is a new forum dedicated to Green political thought, culture and social philosophy. Its name, meaning “forward”, draws on the history of the Finnish Green movement and reflects the forum’s ambition to look beyond day-to-day political debate. It offers a space to return to the roots of Green thinking, ask fundamental questions and critically reflect on the ideas and strategies needed to transform society.
Through conversations bringing together researchers, writers, academics, activists, cultural figures and politicians, the forum will explore questions concerning the economy, welfare, equality, democracy, nature and the future of Green politics. Edellä seeks to create space for intellectual exchange, political imagination and an open discussion of the principles underpinning Green action.
As part of the Saturday programme, the Green European Foundation will contribute a GEF Talk bringing a broader European dimension to the forum’s debates.
Programme
Saturday 19 September 2026
14:00–15:00 | GEF Talks – Reimagining Prosperity: Ecological reconstruction, Green politics, and the future of the economy (EN)
- Halliki Kreinin – Interdisciplinary sustainability researcher and lecturer at Tallinn University
- TBC – Finnish Member of Parliament
- Moderation: Riina Bhatia – PhD Researcher, Political ecology & political economy
This GEF Talks session will bring a leading sustainability researcher into conversation with a Finnish Green political representative to explore bold visions for a Green economy and ecological reconstruction, unpacking their transformative potential and political implications in an era of profound economic, social, and environmental change.
What would it mean to reorganise our economies and societies around ecological limits and human wellbeing? Which institutions, alliances, and political constituencies would be needed to drive such transformation? And how can Greens connect ambitious ideas about prosperity, sustainability and economic transformation with the everyday concerns of citizens?
Combining perspectives from research and political practice, the discussion will explore the key the tensions and opportunities facing the Green movement as it seeks to connect ecological reconstruction with questions of welfare, equality and economic security. It will also consider how Green politics can move beyond managing the transition and articulate a compelling vision for the societies and economies it wants to build.
Practicalities
Date: 18–19 September 2026
GEF Talks session: Saturday 19 September 2026, 14:00–15:00
Location: Leipätehdas area, Helsinki, Finland
Language: The GEF Talks session will be held in English. The wider forum programme will mainly be in Finnish.
Participation: The event is free and open to everyone. No advance registration is required.
The full programme and further information are available on the Edellä Forum website.
The Edellä Forum is organised by VISIO. The GEF Talks session is organised by the Green European Foundation in collaboration with the VISIO, and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.
