The National Innovation Agency (ANI) conducted a study visit to Finland from September 14-17. The initiative focused on the multi-level coordination of Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3), aiming to understand the Finnish governance model and promote the exchange of experiences and best practices between the two countries.
Over three days, the Portuguese delegation visited the cities of Lahti, Tampere, and Helsinki. The program included working sessions, debates, and visits to research and innovation infrastructures, bringing together representatives from Finnish national and regional entities.
In Lahti, the Päijät-Häme Regional Council presented the regional Smart Specialisation Strategy's governance model and its implementation mechanisms. The delegation deepened its understanding of the role of regional councils, territorial coordination, and the functioning of thematic groups. Visits were also made to the Food Pilot Plant of LAB University of Applied Sciences and the Kempower Electric Mobility Research Center (EMRC) of LUT University, illustrating the realization of regional priorities.
The visit continued in Tampere, with a session on the Smart Specialisation Strategy's governance model in the Pirkanmaa region and a discussion on the evolution of these strategies within the next EU financial framework. Professor Dominique Foray participated in a debate with Portuguese and Finnish attendees. In Nokia, the delegation learned about the ECO3 Platform, a business ecosystem focused on the circular economy, and visited the facilities of Sandvik, a global leader in engineering solutions for mining.
The final day in Helsinki took place at the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, where the Finnish model for coordinating research, development, and innovation policies was discussed. The session compared Portuguese and Finnish approaches, focusing on the articulation between governance levels and the implementation of strategic priorities.
The initiative allowed for a deeper understanding of Finland's multi-level coordination of Research, Development, and Innovation policies, and exposure to different approaches for linking national policies, regional strategies, and R&D&I ecosystems. Key themes highlighted included the importance of inter-institutional cooperation, the involvement of regional actors in defining and implementing national strategic priorities, and the connection between public policy instruments and territorial needs.
The visit was conducted within the framework of the project “Capacity building for the operationalization and multi-level articulation of Smart Specialisation Strategies (EEI)” (PAT2030-FEDER-00940500), funded by the Technical Assistance Program (PAT 2030). The project aims to build capacity for stakeholders involved in the implementation of EEI in Portugal, strengthening coordination between different governance levels.
