Introducing the OIL SPILL Project Office at the University of Turku (2/4)

Jarmo Malmsten, OIL SPILL Project Manager, entered the project world seven years ago. According to Lauri Ojala, Jarmo has become a true professional in project management – and the best of a colleague. By now, Jarmo has experienced the complete lifespan of one Interreg BSR project, HAZARD, from the initial ideation to final reporting.

“I have realized how this kind of project works – and more. The groups are highly heterogeneous, and I learn from the Partners all the time. Each actor is a source of very specialized knowledge. In OIL SPILL, one central realization for me has been the significance of NGOs and volunteers and how important it is to link them with the activities of authorities.”

Although the central tasks of project managers – reporting to the funder, being in contact with the Partners, and acting as an intermediary between these two – may seem monotonous, no workday is alike. Based on Jarmo’s description, the work is, as it were, afloat on whatever is going on in the field. And in international multi-partner projects, a lot happens in several locations by various actors. Project Manager has to keep track of it all, guide discreetly if necessary, but not interfere too much.

“Each Partner organization and actor has a different viewpoint to oil spill response. Accommodating them together is actually a never-ending line of work. However, this challenge is a positive one. I know that every time the Partners encounter each other, and every time we have joint exercises and we practice together, we move forward. We can all learn from one another.”

Jarmo is certain OIL SPILL will deliver what is promised. However, these concrete deliverables are only one type of outcome Interreg projects have. In regional and multi-sectoral projects, Jarmo continues, the key achievement is reached when the right people are assembled together. This outcome cannot be found in the reports. Instead, it stays between the people, even after the actual project has ended.