HUBI25 Communal Workspace

By project CODIL

Published on 07 February 2024

Finland

Länsi-Suomi

Alajärvi

About this good practice

HUBI25 communal workspace's aim was to develop an operating model for a collaborative teleworking space and digital services for businesses, increasing the region's retention and attractiveness to attract skilled labour and diversify the economic structure of the region. The community teleworking space serves as a centre of excellence for residents, businesses and organisations in the area, and supports partnerships, networking, and new business creation.
The space includes separate workstations, common area and outdoor space. It also includes a digital studio StudioH25 for photo shoots, video or podcast recordings.
HUBI25 also offers events for the members and others interested. These have been e.g. community breakfast events, themed lunch events, well-being at workday with health monitoring, gymnastics and first-aid training. There have also been regional fairs, joint webinars, and other community activities, which have gathered audience from regular HUBI25 clients but also from the surrounding areas and other organisations.
In 2023, HUBI25 project and activities were carried out in cooperation with the Järviseutu Vocational Institute (JAMI), Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK), Järvi-Pohjanmaa Business Services (JPYP) and Leader Aisapari (LAG), each with their own contribution and with funding from the national fund to support sustainable growth and vitality. Starting from 2024, all these partners plus the city of Alajärvi continue to finance HUBI25.

Resources needed

Budgeted resources for the time 1.1.2023-31.12.2023 were 145 300 €. The national fund covered 80%, the rest came from the project partners. The space is at the premises of Järviseutu Vocational Institute. They cover the costs for the space and have made the necessary investments in the equipment.

Evidence of success

HUBI25 has become a regional centre of excellence supporting people in their career paths regardless of location. Facilities support sharing of knowledge and creation of new partnerships and innovations. These contribute to the vitality of Alajärvi and the region. Hubi25 has 50 registered customers, half of which are local. Others come from other parts of Finland or abroad. The communal workspace adds also the attractivity of the Alajärvi area, and increases expenditure to the local services.

Potential for learning or transfer

There is an undeniable need for communal workspaces with the new era of remote working. HUBI25 has been successful in introducing this type of space to a small city.
HUBI25 has combined the teleworking space with the StudioH25 creating more than just a space, but also a service for local companies, students and anyone who would need a studio space for pictures, videos, or podcasts. This combination adds the attractivity of the space for multiple uses and multiple groups of clients.
There are similar projects and spaces elsewhere, and new ones pop up all the time. This proves a need and existing potential for accessible solutions.
Possible restriction for adopting this practice is finding the institutions and funding for starting this type of free space. In small cities like Alajärvi (9500 inhabitants), commercial version is not viable.