Ahjo Communications has been selected as a framework agreement provider for the communications services of the City of Helsinki for the period 9 February 2026–8 February 2028. The agreement also includes the possibility of two optional one-year extension periods.

Ahjo will operate under the agreement as a consortium together with our long-time visual partner Duran Creative. Through a comprehensive competition evaluating both quality and price, the city selected a total of five providers. The agreement covers the city’s four divisions as well as the central administration, meaning the City of Helsinki Executive Office. The latter is responsible for the development of the city and coordinates strategic and administrative functions.

The Education Division is responsible for early childhood education, basic education, upper secondary education, vocational education and training, and liberal adult education. The Culture and Leisure Division oversees library, cultural, sports and youth services.

The Urban Environment Division works with city planning, construction, maintenance and environmental services. The Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division is responsible for the wellbeing, health and safety of Helsinki residents. The agreement also covers a large number of companies owned by the city. These include Apotti, DigiHelsinki, Helen, Helen Electricity Network, Helsinki City Premises, Helsinki City Housing, Helsinki Senior Foundation, Helsinki Partners, Helsinki Events Foundation, and Auroranlinna, which provides privately financed rental housing.

Ahjo’s key areas of expertise highlighted

Within the framework arrangement, some assignments will be carried out through mini-competitions when procurement requires particularly strong expertise. These mini-competitions concern areas such as employer branding communications, disruption and crisis communications, public affairs communications, native-level Swedish or English language and cultural expertise, communications for change initiatives, and international communications. For example, Ahjo has very extensive experience in disruption and crisis communications as well as preparedness training, and this work has also received international awards. Communications for change initiatives, international communications, and strong English-language cultural expertise are likewise cornerstones of Ahjo’s service offering.

Long-term communications partnership

The framework arrangement enables flexible cooperation with the city’s different divisions and group companies. Assignments are based on the specific needs of each unit. Being selected as a framework agreement provider for the communications services of the City of Helsinki strengthens Ahjo Communications’ position as a partner for demanding public-sector communications assignments. Ahjo is, for example, a framework agreement partner of the City of Turku and is currently also working on a multi-year project with the City of Oulu.

We look forward to the collaboration and to the opportunity to support the strategic communications of the City of Helsinki in the coming years.

Photo: City of Helsinki