Sustainable urban development
Activities carried out under the Innovative Cities and Communities programme
The Government’s agreements signed with 16 urban regions to strengthen innovation activities build cooperation networks between business life, higher education institutes, and other RDI organisations focusing on local spearheads and effective projects that support the green and digital transitions.
Activities are carried out under the Innovative Cities and Communities programme
The implementation of the agreements is funded by the EU, the state, and cities. Projects will receive the EU’s sustainable urban development funding from the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme (the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF) where applicable). The ERDF’s assets play a key role in funding, of which eight per cent will be allocated to measures for sustainable urban development. The towns and cities participating in the ecosystem will decide on the projects to receive funding.
The Council of Tampere Region coordinates sustainable urban development
The Innovative Cities and Communities activities are coordinated by the Council of Tampere Region, which agrees upon harmonised funding procedures with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and is responsible for the national and international visibility of urban development.
The national steering group monitors, guides, and coordinates the implementation of the Innovative Cities and Communities programme and the national Innovation and Skills Networks theme.
The towns and cities participating in the ecosystem, the local strategic focus points of in-novation activities, and the regional councils that provide funding are listed below:
Southern Finland
Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa
Smart and sustainable urban solutions, wellness and health technology, and new learn-ing environments and digital competence solutions:
Intermediate body: Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council
Lahti
Carbon neutral circular economy, and sports business
Intermediate body: Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council
Lappeenranta (partner: Imatra)
Green electrification
Intermediate body: Regional Council of South Karelia
Turku
Innovative industries and life sciences
Intermediate body: Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council
Western Finland
Jyväskylä
Physical exercise, health promotion and wellbeing, and innovative industries
Intermediate body: Regional Council of Central Finland
Pori
Technology metals and the circular economy, and automation and robotics
Intermediate body: Regional Council of Satakunta
Seinäjoki
Sustainable reform of the food ecosystem and smartly innovative industries
Intermediate body: Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia
Tampere
Sustainable industry X (SIX), buildings, energy and infrastructure, and digital health solu-tions
Intermediate body: Council of Tampere Region
Vaasa
Sustainable and smart energy systems
Intermediate body: Regional Council of Ostrobothnia
Eastern Finland
Joensuu
New business in the bioeconomy and circular economy, and photonics business
Intermediate body: Regional Council of North Karelia
Kuopio
Health and wellness technology, and water expertise
Intermediate body: Regional Council of Pohjois-Savo
Mikkeli
The circular economy for municipal water
Intermediate body: South Savo Regional Council
Northern Finland
Kajaani (partner: Sotkamo)
Measuring technology and high-performance computing, AI and data centres
Intermediate body: Regional Council of Kainuu
Kokkola
Battery chemistry and the circular economy, and smart solutions that support industries
Intermediate body: Regional Council of Central Ostrobothnia
Oulu
Digitalisation in the changing urban environment, OuluHealth – digital wellness and health solutions, and the sustainable circular economy and clean solutions
Intermediate body: Council of Oulu region
Rovaniemi
Arctic tourism, and future wellness services and distance management
Intermediate body: Regional Council of Lapland
Further information:
Innovating Cities and Communities (innocities.fi)
Contact persons:
Olli Voutilainen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 506 4919, [email protected]
Mika Pikkarainen, Special Advisor, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 506 3622, [email protected]