Home » Driving Interregional Collaboration: Reflections on the Bioeconomy Conference of Eastern and Northern Finland and the Vanguard Initiative network

Driving Interregional Collaboration: Reflections on the Bioeconomy Conference of Eastern and Northern Finland and the Vanguard Initiative network

8.10.2024

Eastern and Northern Finland (ENF) and the bioeconomy pilot of the Vanguard Initiative network organized a highly productive conference, “Next Steps of Interregional Collaboration in Bio-economy,” held in Kajaani on September 25-26, 2024. This event brought together regions and actors involved in Vanguard’s bioeconomy pilot to explore opportunities for cooperation and future development.

The program included both presentations on the bioeconomy pilot’s progress so far and the exchange of ideas on next steps and potential new initiatives. One of the primary goals of the conference was to facilitate direct networking and connections between operators in ENF and those involved in the Vanguard Initiative’s bioeconomy pilot. This opened doors for ENF’s main actors—including SMEs, universities, research institutes, and clusters—to actively participate in the pilot’s activities.

In addition to the regional operators from ENF, the conference featured guest speakers from Italy and the Netherlands, who provided insights into Vanguard’s various pilots. Representatives from ENF regions including South Savo, North Savo, North Karelia, Kainuu, Central Ostrobothnia, Northern Ostrobothnia, and Lapland shared their experiences and discussed the joint smart specialization strategy (S3) of Eastern and Northern Finland, particularly focusing on bioeconomy topics. North Savo was well represented by representatives from the Regional Council of North Savo, Business Kuopio, Savonia UAS, and Kuopio Water Cluster.

What is the Vanguard Initiative?

The Vanguard Initiative is a network of European regions committed to promoting and commercializing industrial innovations. It brings together regional authorities, universities, research institutes, companies, and clusters, fostering collaboration to enhance the competitiveness of growth-oriented companies across Europe. A key focus of the network is integrating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into its activities.

The Vanguard initiative operates based on smart specialization, leveraging the complementary expertise of its member regions to drive industrial growth and development in selected sectors. Member regions work together through thematic pilots, which are collaborative platforms designed to support innovation and facilitate market access. These pilots can prepare funding applications, enable the sharing of research infrastructure, and promote cooperation in areas like product testing.

Currently, ENF is involved in five of Vanguard’s eight thematic pilots, including areas such as bioeconomy, sustainable manufacturing, 3D printing, hydrogen, and smart health.

Vanguard’s Bioeconomy Pilot

The bioeconomy pilot, launched in 2014, aims to foster the development of industrial applications based on food, feed, and fiber, as well as bio-based products with high added value. The pilot supports innovative projects focused on converting lignin, wood, and food biomass into high-value bio-derived products, such as bioaromatic compounds, bioasphalt, bioenergy, and biopolymers.

Currently, 16 regions from across Europe are participating in the bioeconomy pilot, and the initiative remains open to new demo proposals. ENF has been a member of the Vanguard Initiative network since 2020, with its membership realized through collaboration among the seven provinces of Eastern and Northern Finland. ENF joined the bioeconomy pilot at the beginning of 2024, allowing local operators to engage in Vanguard’s activities at no cost.

ENF’s Regional Strengths and Smart Specialization Strategy (S3)

The economic development of ENF is deeply rooted in the region’s natural resources and technological expertise, complemented by digital solutions that support traditional industries. With a population of 1.27 million and a surface area of over 235,450 km², ENF is one of the EU’s Northern Sparsely Populated Areas. The region’s abundant natural resources and cutting-edge knowledge form the foundation for its growth.

The shared Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) for the East and North Finland region aims to respond to the European challenge of transitioning to a sustainable economy decoupled from fossil raw materials. By integrating digital technologies, the region is also driving the digital green transition. The smart energy transition, digitalization, and low-carbon economy present new development opportunities, which can be harnessed through close collaboration between public, private, and research actors.

The S3 priorities—clean solutions, digitalization, and sustainable service production—highlight the strategic focus of the ENF region. These priorities are interconnected by their emphasis on sustainable development and digitalization, enabling the region to act as a leader in innovation and research-driven cooperation, both in Finland and internationally.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Collaboration

The gathering in Kajaani was a key moment for ENF, offering not only a platform for reflection on past achievements but also a forward-looking perspective on the opportunities ahead. ENF’s continued involvement in the Vanguard Initiative promises to keep the region at the forefront of bioeconomy innovation, strengthening ties between research, business, and public authorities. By capitalizing on its natural and digital assets, ENF is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in driving Europe’s bio-based economy toward a sustainable future.

 

Read more:

About the conference, the program, the representatives, and the topics discussed: here (in Finnish).

Eastern and Northern Finland Member’s page on VI’s website: www.s3vanguardinitiative.eu/members/east-and-north-finland

 

Author: Parastoo Jalili, Business Advisor, Business Kuopio
parastoo.jalili@ kuopio.fi, +358 44 718 2034