Long-term collaboration between the East and North (ENF) regions will carry on in project Smart Specialization in East and North Finland 2022–2027 (ELMO II). As a continuation for Commission’s “Regions in Industrial Transition” pilot, the project aims to support the development of clusters in the ENF area to better understand the needs of the region’s business community and to strengthen supranational cooperation, especially within the ENF’s Smart Specialisation Strategy 2019-2023 framework.
The project will produce an evaluation of the implementation and realization of the current Smart Specialization Strategy for East and North Finland 2019–2023. Utilizing the results of the evaluation and the regions’ own smart specialization strategies, the project will create a Smart Specialization Strategy for East and North Finland 2024–2027. With the continuity of the Smart Specialization Strategy and the operating models created in the project, the co-operation will be consolidated as part of the co-operation between the regional councils and the East and North Finland EU Office.
In terms of cluster activities, the project supports cluster development, the sharing of good practices and the production of information to boost the development of clusters. This is done by utilizing supranational cooperation and national and international networks. The activities promote cross-regional cluster and RDI cooperation, especially in common themes of smart specialization. The work promotes and supports the qualitative development of clusters in the region and the improvement of their effectiveness. Improving the quality of clusters furthers participation of companies in RDI activities, which improves the renewal of businesses, new innovations, commercialisation, growth, and competitiveness.
For more information about the project, click here.
