Innocity Joensuu

Innokaupunki Joensuu is a group project managed and coordinated by Business Joensuu Oy. Project partners are the University of Eastern Finland, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and the city of Joensuu. Innokaupunki Joensuu group project will implement ecosystem agreement 2021 – 2027, which is drawn up and signed between city of Joensuu and the State in 2021. The selected priorities are based on the Joensuu region business strategy, the strategic focus areas of tki operators and proven cooperation in priority areas. Project implementation period is from 1 November 2022 to 29 February 2024.

The main goal of the group project is to drive innovation in the Joensuu region competitiveness, growth, vitality, employment and internationalization. The project creates the common vision, strategy and high-quality implementation of the region’s ecosystem actions. Ecosystem actors organize themselves for concrete and systematic implementation in order to speed up the implementation of the ecosystem agreement in selected priorities.

The concrete implementation of the project is divided into the following work packages (WP) and detailed measures:

WP1 Drafting a strategy and action plan clarifying the Innokaupunki cooperation between the city of Joensuu and its partners and starting the implementation.

WP2 Photonics business
2.1 Clarifying the photonics business strategy, updating the action plan and starting the implementation.
2.2 Development of the Photonics Center’s operating environment and services, phase II.
2.2.1 Developing and supplementing the value networks of the photonics ecosystem.
2.2.2 Experts for companies in the photonics industry.
2.2.3 Development of the operational and service environment of photonics/precision technology.
2.2.4 Development of the premises and services of Photonics Center.

WP3 Forest bio- and circular economy
3.1 Clarifying the forest bio and circular economy strategy, updating the action plan and starting the implementation.
3.2 Starting the implementation of the strategy.
3.2.1 Development of the cluster operating model through research.
3.2.2 Development of the climate-wise construction cluster and its services.
3.2.3 Smart Forestry / Forest Management 6.0 – development of smart forestry.
3.2.4 International forest bioeconomy networks to support Innokaupunki activities and companies in the area.
3.2.5 Growth from forest bio and circular economy value networks.

WP4 Research to business
4.1 Drafting research to business’s strategy and action plan.
4.2 Starting the implementation of the strategy.
4.2.1 Testing the operating models in WP2 and 3.

WP5 Communication of top industries (photonics and forest bio)
5.1 Updating the communication strategy and action plan of the top industries.
5.1.1 Brand development and communication planning.
5.2. Putting the communication strategy into practice.
5.2.1 Piloting of brands.
5.2.2 Communication about Innokaupunki Joensuu’s activities and results.
5.2.3 Communication related to urban development.

The ecosystem agreement lasts until 2027, and new organizations are possible join after this group project is implemented.