Rovaniemi’s ecosystem agreement with the state boosts innovation in Arctic tourism and wellbeing 

The City of Rovaniemi and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment have concluded an ecosystem agreement on innovation activities for 2021–2027. The agreements between the state and university cities determine the region’s strategic growth priorities for the next few years, as well as the development priorities for innovation activities. The agreement’s other cooperation parties include the University of Lapland, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Sea Lapland Development Centre, Regional Council of Lapland and the Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.

Arctic tourism and future wellbeing services were chosen as the priorities for Rovaniemi. Thematic areas cutting across all priorities include service design, management of distances, internationality, new business ecosystems and development platforms, as well as the strengthening and renewal of competence.

The ecosystem agreement strengthens the region’s competitiveness and growth based on innovation. The goal is to generate new competence, business and workplaces, as well as develop the Rovaniemi region into an internationally attractive competence and innovation cluster that supports business growth. Key measures to do so include open innovation platforms and test environments for companies, RDI projects conducted jointly with companies and higher education institutions, innovative public procurement, utilisation of research results, new business ecosystems, promotion of innovation-based entrepreneurship, and the strengthening of competence with the help of international talent.