Half of invasive species control funds remain unused as deadline nears

A mobile app designed to control invasive plant species in Finland has nearly half of its summer budget unspent, with time running out to use the funds.

Some 90 municipalities are participating this year, with a total of nearly €300,000 allocated for the crowdsourced effort, according to Yle. In nine municipalities—Turku, Vantaa, Seinäjoki, Konnevesi, Lohja, Kaarina, Nurmes, Heinola, and Hyvinkää—the funds have already been fully distributed.

About a quarter of the municipalities have seen lower-than-expected participation, with unused funds remaining. Crowdsorsa, the Tampere-based company behind the app, cites small control areas and low public awareness of invasive species as key reasons for the slow uptake.

In Mustasaari, only a third of the €2,000 budget has been used, with just two weeks left to act. The app has attracted 15 users to two sites targeting giant hogweed and lupines, but collections have been limited. Mustasaari’s green space supervisor, Marita Ala-Korpi, noted that rough terrain has also hindered progress.

The app allows users to earn money by removing invasive plants, with payments approved based on video submissions. Last year, participants cleared over 2.8 million square meters of invasive species across Finland.

Crowdsorsa’s CEO, Toni Paju, observed that participation tends to be lower in smaller or rural areas, while urban centers see more activity. Familiarity with the targeted species also affects engagement, with giant hogweed often being less recognized.

With the collection season still open, the focus remains on giant hogweed and lupines before their seeds spread. If the app’s deadline passes with funds unused, municipalities like Mustasaari will redirect the work to their own teams.