Coordination of Innocities
Between 2021 and 2027, the Council of Tampere Region coordinates sustainable urban development in Finland in cooperation with cities, regional councils, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland and the South Savo Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.
The Council of Tampere Region coordinates activities related to ecosystem agreements, while the South Savo Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment coordinates the implementation of the national Innovation and Competence Networks theme. The coordination started at the beginning of 2022.
The Council of Tampere Region coordinates the development of operations in ecosystem cities and is responsible for the visibility of the results. The regional councils provide funding for implementing the ecosystem agreements. The Council of Tampere Region advises the regional councils that intermediate funding and cities on joint funding procedures, supports high-quality project operations with additional resources, and communicates about activities on the national and international level.
The South Savo Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment is responsible for project funding that is line with the Innovation and Competence Networks theme (rakennerahastot.fi [structural funds]). The aim is to improve the ability of RDI actors to implement cross-regional and large-scale research projects that aim for commercialisation.
At a national level, activities are directed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the national steering group and their secretariats. The task of the steering group is to monitor and steer the realisation of the work and to facilitate dialogue and sparring between university cities and their key RDI actors. The national steering group includes Business Finland, the Academy of Finland, various ministries, cities, universities and the business community.
Contact information
Riina Pulkkinen, Development Manager, tel. +358 40 708 0178, riina.pulkkinen@pirkanmaa.fi
Elina Hykkönen, Financial Affairs, tel. +358 50 326 1500, elina.hykkonen@pirkanmaa.fi
Communications Milja Mansukoski, tel. +358 44 422 2008, milja.mansukoski(a)pirkanmaa.fi
Petri Räsänen, Director, Innovation and Foresight, member of the InnoCities national steering group tel. +358 40 772 3008, petri.rasanen (a)pirkanmaa.fi
South Savo Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Tiina Arpola, Business Specialist, tel. +358 295 026 131, tiina.arpola@ely-keskus.fi
Sari Pikkarainen, Business Specialist, South Savo ELY Centre, tel. +358 295 026 089, firstname.lastname(a) ely-keskus.fi
Kalevi Pölönen, Head of Office, South Savo ELY Centre, tel. +358 295 026 091, firstname.lastname(a) ely-keskus.fi
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland (ecosystem agreements)
Olli Voutilainen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 29 506 4919, firstname.lastname(a)gov.fi
Mika Pikkarainen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 29 506 3622, firstname.lastname(a)gov.fi