Kuopio Innovation Ecosystem Agreement

Ecosystem agreements are part of the government’s efforts to create the world’s most functional experimentation and innovation environment in Finland by 2030. Ecosystem agreements between the state and cities are also an essential part of the new partnership model outlined in the national Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Roadmap, with the aim of enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors in RDI activities.

Through the state and city-level innovation ecosystem agreements, innovation ecosystems are developed, which are tight collaborative networks. These agreements strengthen areas of expertise and enhance the impact of RDI activities. The agreements enable large future investments and procurements made by cities to be effectively utilized for innovation activities.

At the same time, research is consolidated into larger centers of expertise that utilize networks of different actors. The common factor among the cities involved in the agreement is that their development is based on university-driven high expertise and its utilization.

Other collaborative partners in the agreement include the University of Eastern Finland, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, North Savo Regional Council, North Savo Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, North Savo Hospital District/Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio Health Cooperative, and the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of the Environment.

The agreement was signed on February 9, 2021, and it is valid until December 31, 2027.

Ecosystem agreements | tem.fi

The core idea behind ecosystem agreements is to create innovative cities that leverage digitalization, new technologies, and carbon neutrality to accelerate business transformation and sustainable urban development based on their own strengths.

These agreements reinforce the development of attractive centers of expertise and innovation environments while connecting Finnish actors to international RDI networks and value chains. The agreements aim to develop innovation ecosystems by strengthening collaborative networks, enhancing areas of expertise, and increasing the impact of RDI activities with a city-based approach.

Key instruments include urban development projects, innovative public procurement, utilization of research results, new business ecosystem formation, start-up communities, and strengthening expertise through international professionals. These measures are expected to generate new local development dynamics, significant new growth opportunities, and intensified inter-city cooperation in the agreement’s priority areas.

The city-state innovation ecosystem agreement supports city-led growth, competitiveness, vitality, employment, and internationalization.

At the heart of Kuopio’s innovation ecosystem agreement lies Kuopio Savilahti, one of Finland’s most versatile urban development projects. The total investment in the area’s development is estimated to reach €1.5-2 billion by 2030. This encompasses the creation and development of a new city district as well as an internationally recognized center of excellence. Well-being, intelligence, low-carbon solutions, a culture of experimentation, resource efficiency, circular economy, smart mobility, and sustainable development are taken into consideration in all activities. The goal is to develop Savilahti into a functional, attractive, and unique European learning and innovation environment.

Kuopio city’s agreement priorities are health and well-being technology, as well as water expertise. In both priority areas, Kuopio city has the ambition and readiness to take a leading role in coordinating and building cooperation and networks as a national coordinator. These areas emphasize smart digital solutions that utilize data analytics and artificial intelligence. The activities in these priority areas are supported by integrating innovative procurements into the ecosystem’s development.

Comprehensive security has been identified as a cross-cutting theme. Changes in the security environment, Finland’s evolving geopolitical position and its accession to NATO have brought the perspective of comprehensive security to the forefront of sustainable urban development.

Key measures include launching the operations of the Centre of Expertise in Comprehensive Security, as well as defining its actors, products, services and functions. The centre will connect with key international counterparts and deliver concrete added value to national preparedness.

The water-focused initiation project within Kuopio city’s ecosystem agreement aims to create conditions for Kuopio Savilahti to develop into Finland’s most attractive water-related test and innovation environment by 2027. The measures focus on intelligent water supply solutions, intelligent recovery processes, and zero-emission water treatment facilities. The project is carried out by Savonia University of Applied Sciences and coordinated by the Kuopio Water Cluster. The project duration was from September 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023.

The Kuopio Water Cluster is a comprehensive water expertise center involving six research organizations concentrated in the Savilahti area. It develops technical solutions for the water sector in collaboration with the business community.

Kuopion Water Cluster | kuopiowatercluster.com

The initiation phase of the health and well-being technology priority is carried out by Kuopio Health Cooperative. The strategic vision for the health and well-being technology priority is: “Kuopio Savilahti – The most exciting European learning and innovation environment for smart health and well-being solutions.” The aim is to facilitate sustainable and preventative changes in healthcare while creating significant business opportunities through the development of smart solutions. The focus is on evolving the Kuopio Health ecosystem into Finland’s leading research, development, and innovation platform for health data-driven intelligent solutions.

The initiation phase aims to establish practical operational models with key actors in health and well-being technology and to begin preparing and partially implementing the measures defined by the strategic priorities.

The project implementation period was from September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022.

The Kuopio Health innovation network brings together the University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio University Hospital, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Kuopio city, and numerous business operators in the Savilahti competence center area.

Kuopio Health | kuopiohealth.fi