Regional stakeholders meeting in Seinäjoki

Into Seinäjoki and the City of Seinäjoki are involved in the Smart Con Europe project. Recently regional stakeholders in South Ostrobothnia met to discuss current state of services supporting businesses with EU funding.  

The project's stakeholders in the region include EEN Network, South Ostrobothnia ELY Centre, South Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce, South Ostrobothnia Regional Council, SeAmk, Sedu, City of Seinäjoki, Seinäjoki University Centre, Seinäjoki Entrepreneurs, EPANET network and Trutec Oy.

During the meeting they went through current services, processes, actors and the state of service management. In particular, they looked at the food chain and the manufacturing industry, which are identified in the Innovation Ecosystem Agreement as key areas for development in Seinäjoki.

The state of services supporting businesses in South Ostrobothnia with EU funding has now been described. Familiar actors, a business-friendly atmosphere and many ready-made development platforms, such as SeAmk's laboratories, Foodwest and Skaalaamo are the foundations to build on.

Key issues has been diagnosed:

• clearer communication about the opportunities and about the good experiences of other businesses;
• well-coordinated action between service providers and clarity about the services to businesses;
• the aim is to increase the network of experts so that the necessary support for projects can be obtained elsewhere in Finland or even in Europe if services cannot be found in the local area.

More information (in Finnish) Lisää EU:n tutkimus- ja kehitysrahaa lakeuksille! - Into Seinäjoki (intoseinajoki.fi)

On 17th/18th September all SMART CON EUROPE Partners will meet in Seinäjoki for 2nd interregional event to discuss in detail current ecosystem in South Ostrobothnia and Pomorskie Voivodeship.