There has been going on an conversion process since 1970’s in the Finnish defence sector, caused for several reasons. The main targets in these White Book decisions have been to modernise defence structure and to adapt the infrastructure to the decreasing amount of conscripted soldiers (along the nativity). The end of the Cold War has not been, at least officially behind the base closing measures; the military balance has not been diminished.
Finnish municipalities, even towns are typically rather small and so their participating in multinational programs has certain difficulties. That is why it was natural that the Ministry of Defence took a widely role in the former program, Network Demilitarised. It was considered as a smooth weapon against the socio-economic problems the towns are facing when the military activity is decreasing or loosing their jobs. MoD regarded this participation as its duty, at least in the moment of the closing.
The latest White Book is from 2001, and it, once again, had this base closing dimension. Remembering the positive Network Demilitarised experiences, the MoD decided to participate the new program, Convernet, in which Finland could now be a full member; this was not the case in Network Demilitarised. The form of working is of course somewhat different from the normal members, towns and regions, some kind “peep” at the conversion chances. But we must remember that the smallest community quite heavily affected by the White Book has only 900 inhabitants – the assistance of MoD or some other (state) office is surely needed, so the MoD acts as an "umbrella".
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