Projects Funded by the Regional Council of Southwest Finland

Improving Service Data Quality (Palveludata)

Applicant: Regional Council of Southwest Finland
Funding granted: €16,787
Total estimated cost: €23,981
Implementation period: 1 April 2025–31 December 2025

The project aims to improve the quality of geospatial data describing the locations of service points in Southwest Finland and to support the municipalities of Southwest Finland in maintaining their service information in the service data repository. In addition, the project aims to further develop the technical maintenance algorithm for the Southwest Finland service point dataset to ensure its functionality and data security. The project will also produce concrete examples of use cases for the service point dataset for municipalities and provide instructions on how to utilize the data in geographic information systems. This aims to increase the use of data in municipalities and enhance the impact of the project results.

Climate Change Adaptation in Southwest Finland Municipalities

Applicant: Valonia/Regional Council of Southwest Finland
Funding granted: €67,125
Total estimated cost: €95,893
Implementation period: 1 May 2025–30 April 2027

The project strengthens the knowledge base and understanding of municipalities regarding the overall picture of climate change adaptation and the range of available measures, and tests and evaluates various adaptation actions.

The project compiles information on various climate change adaptation measures that can be implemented at the municipal level in an easily comprehensible format. Open training sessions and information events on the background of adaptation needs and what adaptation work will look like in the municipal sector in the future will be organized for all municipalities in the region. In addition, six municipalities—Uusikaupunki, Naantali, Raisio, Kaarina, Parainen, and Somero—will receive more intensive support for climate change adaptation work: support for assessing the current situation, identifying good practices, strengthening the municipality’s knowledge base, and planning and implementing a selected concrete adaptation measure.

Vitality Through Participation

Applicant: Tukenasi ry
Funding granted: €17,983
Total estimated cost: €25,690
Implementation period: 1 April 2025–31 March 2027

Measures that strengthen the well-being and participation of the residents of Southwest Finland can achieve significant changes for both individuals and society, but this requires cooperation between different actors.

Project objectives:

• Improve the utilization of activities and services that support the well-being and agency of the region’s residents by developing communication and (client) guidance between different actors.
• Support the creation of new services or forms of cooperation that support the agency and community of the region’s residents.
• Promote the identification and utilization of the well-being-generating opportunities of civic activities, such as volunteering, in the region

Salo Defense & Security 2025–2026

Applicant: Yrityssalo Oy
Funding granted: €84,042
Total estimated cost: €120,061
Implementation period: 1 May 2025–31 December 2026

The objective is to activate companies to leverage the business potential of defense, security, and dual-use systems. Growing market potential in Finland and internationally creates new business and internationalization opportunities for companies. The project will establish an active business network.

Loimaa Region Hydrogen Valley

Applicant: City of Loimaa
Funding granted: €68,159
Total estimated cost: €97,370
Implementation period: 1 July 2025–30 June 2027

The project aims to accelerate the clean transition and the development of hydrogen business and to support regional companies in utilizing the opportunities offered by the national hydrogen network. Gasgrid published a draft route plan for the national hydrogen network in November 2024. In the plan, the hydrogen network runs a long distance through the Loimaa region, and one of the few inland junction points of the network is planned for Loimaa.

Expanding Move Nearby, Communicate as a Peer Activities to Southwest Finland

Applicant: Turun Lähimmäispalveluyhdistys ry
Funding granted: €36,564
Total estimated cost: €52,235
Implementation period: 1 October 2025–30 September 2026

The objective is to expand the Move Nearby model developed by the applicant together with the City of Turku to other municipalities in Southwest Finland. The final year of the pilot is underway, and there is now readiness to disseminate the good practice to municipalities together with local actors and older people. New communication methods piloted in the project, such as senior-aged Peer Communicators, have proven effective in getting other older people to start moving.

Archipelago Tourists and Developers SAMKE

Applicant: City of Parainen. Co-implementers: Municipality of Kemiönsaari and Visit Turku Archipelago Oy
Funding granted: €74,591
Total estimated cost: €106,559
Implementation period: 1 October 2025–31 December 2026

The project strengthens the archipelago tourism industry by developing customer-oriented, internationally accessible, and year-round tourism services. The project continues the collaboration initiated during the Technological Development of Future Archipelago Tourism (TUFF) project and takes it to a new level by expanding activities to international markets. The objective is to increase interaction between tourists and tourism operators, enhance customer understanding, and develop new services and business models for archipelago tourism. Key objectives include deepening customer understanding, involving tourists in service development, increasing international visibility, and strengthening the competence of tourism industry operators.

ENTEET – Foresight Data Sources

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd. Co-implementer: Turku Vocational Institute
Funding granted: €85,017
Total estimated cost: €121,452
Implementation period: 1 September 2025–28 February 2027

Recent changes in the operating environment are causing a polycrisis, where multiple simultaneous threats affect future prospects, creating development needs for the acquisition of foresight information. The Southwest Finland Foresight Academy will update its operations from the beginning of 2026. The comprehensive reform aims for stronger capability in utilizing foresight information to strengthen regional competence. The objective is, among other things, to create a model that collects and provides key foresight information in an easily usable format on a data platform. The starting points for the update are the foresight information needs of the region’s educational institutions, the lifelong learning ecosystem, and employment areas. The plan includes defining the necessary foresight information, implementing a user-friendly data platform, and making the necessary technical arrangements. In addition, the objective is to explore the possibilities of utilizing artificial intelligence, pilot them, and establish a regional information service group to support data production and interpretation. A key overall objective is to promote regional development by further developing foresight work.

Coordination Project for Implementing the Action Plan for Sudden Structural Change in Vakka-Suomi and the Surrounding Area

Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €136,957
Total estimated cost: €195,653
Implementation period: 1 March 2026–31 December 2027

Follow-up project. The project measures ensure the implementation of the action plan for sudden structural change in Vakka-Suomi and the surrounding area and the progress of cooperation according to the action plan. The objective is to utilize the sudden structural change funding directed to Vakka-Suomi and the surrounding area and the activities initiated with it as comprehensively and effectively as possible. The coordination project ensures the coordination of project cooperation, the recording of information, and agile sharing.

Vakka-Vire Proactive Business Advisory Services for Vakka-Suomi

Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €223,873
Total estimated cost: €279,841
Implementation period: 1 October 2026–31 December 2027

Follow-up project. The project aims to create proactive business advisory services and a growth platform concept for operating companies. Through the project, growth-oriented companies receive a systematically organized development environment for different stages of growth and various support instruments. By increasing business advisory resources, it is possible to identify and activate companies with investment, growth, and development potential. The project helps companies in workshops to identify their own growth potential, development targets, find business support instruments, and networks. The project maps and initiates Invest In activities to develop services for companies locating in the area. The activities diversify the region’s business sector regardless of industry.

Vakka-Suomi Business and Talent Incubators

Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €99,242
Total estimated cost: €124,053
Implementation period: 1 October 2026–31 December 2027
Follow-up project. During the project, Business and Talent Incubator models will be created for Vakka-Suomi. The objective is to identify and utilize the region’s latent entrepreneurial potential. A small business starting in the incubator, a project still at the idea stage, or an individual with their competence resources receive a systematically organized and guided development environment. The objective of talent incubator activities is to activate people and find opportunities from their special competence for starting a business or offering competence to companies. The objective of business incubator activities is to activate the creation of innovative new companies and provide companies with a good operating environment and expert support in further developing companies.

Las Palmas – Southwest Corner Service and Tourism Cluster

Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €498,199
Total estimated cost: €622,749
Implementation period: 1 May 2025–31 December 2027

The project brings the Business Improvement District (BID) model, proven successful in Scotland, to trial in the Vakka-Suomi area. The BID model has been successfully utilized in Scotland, particularly in the development of small and medium-sized towns and tourism areas. The project will establish local service BIDs in the centers of six municipalities and a joint tourism BID that develops regional tourism and strengthens cooperation between operators across municipal boundaries. BID groups form active communities of action where companies and other actors work together to strengthen vitality and increase the attractiveness of the area.

Vakka-Suomi Vitality Cluster

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences (Co-implementer: Southwest Finland Educational Federation of Municipalities)
Funding granted: €476,222
Total estimated cost: €595,277
Implementation period: 1 October 2025–31 August 2027

The project aims to build and pilot a strong regional vitality cluster that brings together companies of all sizes in the region and offers development services arising from the needs of companies. The objective is to create a model for a permanent cluster that serves a wide range of companies in the region and key industries. Three thematic groups based on the region’s special characteristics (energy, food, and technology) have been identified in the planning phase, within which the vitality cluster will be built and piloted. The thematic groups provide information and diverse support, including for increasing R capabilities and innovation processes. In addition, the availability of skilled labor will be promoted based on needs.

Developing Cooperation in Preparedness Between Southwest Finland Municipalities and Red Cross Branches

Applicant: Finnish Red Cross Southwest Finland District
Funding granted: €52,234
Total estimated cost: €74,620
Implementation period: 1 January–31 December 2026

International crises, the effects of climate change, and the technological vulnerability of society have increased the need to strengthen regional preparedness and readiness. There are 47 Red Cross branches operating in the Southwest Finland area, which are part of the Voluntary Rescue Service organization network and participate in supporting authorities in emergency and preparedness activities. However, there is regional variation in the readiness level, cooperation structures, and training of branches. The project develops the ability of municipalities and organizations to work together in various disruption situations.

Salo Region Safety Network – Preparedness Planning in Municipalities

Applicant: City of Salo
Funding granted: €67,000
Total estimated cost: €95,714
Implementation period: 1 October 2025–30 September 2027

The objective is to improve the security and preparedness of municipalities (Salo, Somero, Koski TL, and Marttila) in a changing operating environment. The primary target group consists of the management teams responsible for municipal preparedness, other municipal employees, and all municipal residents. The project will update municipal preparedness plans and improve regional preparedness, organize training and exercises for municipal staff and residents, and improve the security of critical facilities. In addition, the project strengthens cooperation and participation between municipalities.

Safe Villages in Oripää

Applicant: Municipality of Oripää
Funding granted: €5,600
Total estimated cost: €8,000
Implementation period: 2 September 2025–1 September 2026
The objective is to develop village security, preparedness, and contingency planning in cooperation with village actors and local organizations. The result will be the Oripää Village Security Plan, which serves as a concrete tool for developing village preparedness and security. In addition, village actors will receive training in crisis communication and preparedness, which improves their readiness to act in disruption situations.

Crisis-Resilient Raisio Region

Applicant: City of Raisio. (Co-implementers: City of Naantali, Municipality of Masku, Municipality of Mynämäki, Municipality of Rusko, Municipality of Nousiainen)
Funding granted: €80,000
Total estimated cost: €122,073
Implementation period: 1 October 2025–15 March 2027

The objective is to develop the preparedness and readiness activities of the contracting municipalities (Raisio, Naantali, Masku, Mynämäki, Rusko, and Nousiainen) through a new cooperation model, harmonize municipal operating models, and create regional practices. The project will examine and develop the level of municipal preparedness plans and preparedness, harmonize plans and measures for disruption situations where possible. The objective is also to develop communication, training, and cooperation related to preparedness and contingency planning.

Southwest Finland Culture Flyers

Applicant: Turun Lähimmäispalveluyhdistys ry
Funding granted: €37,173
Total estimated cost: €53,104
Implementation period: 1 June 2024–31 May 2025

The project attracts older people to cultural activities, organizes targeted cultural activities close to residents, reduces prejudices related to cultural activities, lowers the threshold for cultural activities, and motivates older people to participate. Better accessibility of culture increases the cultural well-being of older people, the experiential nature of everyday life, and social and regional equality and participation in Southwest Finland.

Solo Entrepreneurs as a Solution to the Skills Shortage

Applicant: City of Lieto
Funding granted: €72,042
Total estimated cost: €102,917
Implementation period: 1 May 2024–31 December 2025

The project maps solo entrepreneurs operating in the Lieto, Aura, Kaarina, Paimio, and Sauvo areas; primarily craftspeople, and examines the possibility of solo entrepreneurs being a partial solution to the skills shortage. The objective is to offer solo entrepreneurs business growth and reorientation opportunities, competence supplementation through training, and to produce a cross-municipal entrepreneur/expert network that serves as a partial solution to the skills shortage. Solo entrepreneurs have enormous professional potential that can be directed to benefit companies suffering from a skills shortage.

Smart Gaming – Healthier Lifestyles for Children and Young People

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €11,200
Total estimated cost: €16,000
Implementation period: 1 April 2024–21 June 2024

The preparatory project measures include preparing the application content together with the consortium. This work also includes selecting pilot sites and negotiating and drafting cooperation agreements. Funding will be sought from the Baltic Sea Interreg program. The general objective of the project being applied for is to give children and young people aged 7–25 the opportunity to monitor and navigate their health together with their digital gaming habits to promote healthy lifestyles without compromising their commitment to modern gaming culture. This aims to prevent chronic diseases.

From Vitality to Attractiveness Through Collaboration

Applicant: Jankko lentopallo ry
Funding granted: €48,326
Total estimated cost: €69,036
Implementation period: 1 September 2024–30 June 2025

The change in the population structure of the Loimaa region produces challenges for company recruitment, the activity of associations, and the isolation/loneliness of the aging population. The project plans and implements corporate volunteer programs, where employees could do volunteer work for a public benefit association and thus enliven association activities while activating their own living environment.

Green Transition Ecosystem for the Loimaa Region

Applicant: Municipality of Pöytyä
Funding granted: €54,521
Total estimated cost: €77,888
Implementation period: 1 August 2024–30 June 2025

The central purpose is to promote the implementation of large projects related to the green transition in the Loimaa region and at the same time build a business ecosystem for companies that ensures that as large a share as possible of the economic benefits and jobs brought by these projects remain in the region and the Loimaa sub-region. The central objective is to build a regional bio- and circular economy ecosystem for the Loimaa region in cooperation with municipalities in accordance with the regional program and to facilitate the participation of regional companies in large green transition investment projects.

Creative Europe Application Preparation: Sense and sensibility in making new musical experiences.

Applicant: HUMAK University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €13,021
Total estimated cost: €18,602
Implementation period: 1 May 2024–31 December 2024
An application is being prepared for the Creative Europe program’s autumn 2024 call. HUMAK is the lead applicant.

The project develops the competence of event production industry operators to organize comprehensive concert experiences in cooperation with cultural tourism networks through experiments. Both local and international networks will be built to support the production of concert experiences, taking into account regional special features such as event venues and food culture. The project develops content that enlivens concert experiences and supports content accessibility through multimodal communication. The development project also promotes cooperation between educational institutions and field operators. Various innovation processes are utilized in the project.

Archipelago Sea Catchment Area and Coastal Environmental Monitoring System

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €47,444
Total estimated cost: €67,778
Implementation period: 1 October 2024–31 December 2025

The project promotes the digitalization of environmental monitoring systems and making open, easily accessible information available to public organizations, companies, and citizens. The objective is to support sustainable urban development and environmental restoration measures by facilitating and promoting evidence-based decision-making. The project will create a continuous environmental monitoring system and data platform. The system will include measuring devices maintained by regional research and educational institutions, a data processing system for results, the monitoring material produced, and a visualization tool for these. The system will be created by developing and expanding the system maintained by the Turku UAS Water and Environmental Engineering research group (https://vesijaymparisto.turkuamk.fi/reaaliaikainen-seuranta/).

Kihti Design

Applicant: Municipality of Kustavi. Co-implementers: City of Parainen, Municipality of Brändö.
Funding granted: €7,000
Total estimated cost: €10,000
Implementation period: 1 April 2024–31 December 2024

The project prepares a plan for creating a new tourism route in the Finnish archipelago around Kihti through Kustavi, Brändö, and Parainen. The plan will be prepared as a purchased service and in cooperation with archipelago entrepreneurs and between Kustavi, Parainen, and Brändö.

Creative work with GenAI

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €14,700
Total estimated cost: €21,000
Implementation period: 1 September 2024–5 March 2025

The project prepares a Creative Europe application (2024) coordinated by the Turku University of Applied Sciences Arts Academy, working title Creative work with GenAI.
The objective of the project being prepared is to promote the digitalization of creative industries and create innovative operating models for utilizing artificial intelligence in creative industries. During the project, competence related to generative artificial intelligence in the creative sector will be promoted and new ways to reach audiences will be sought. The objective of the project is to experiment with new types of AI solutions in the field of visual culture, especially in storytelling, by conducting local experiments, deepening international cooperation, and promoting cooperation with regional partners.

Car Dismantling – Material Recovery, Reuse, and Recyclability of New Products

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €80,626
Total estimated cost: €115,180
Implementation period: 1 September 2024–31 October 2025

The project aims to clarify the car dismantling phase and the current state of recycled material utilization through two selected materials, glass and plastic, focusing on the following issues: material distribution by origin in the dismantling phase, quantity and quality of materials, where recycled material is generated, the role of material transport, in what form the user receives the material, and the reuse of recycled material in a new product and the recyclability of this new product.

The Stories of Aurajoentie Come to Life

Applicant: Municipality of Aura
Funding granted: €52,818
Total estimated cost: €75,455
Implementation period: 1 September 2024–31 August 2025

Aurajoentie is particularly culturally and historically significant, and through storytelling, sustainable tourism in accordance with sustainable development can be promoted, including village tourism. The result is a ready service concept, the story of the road in digital form, consisting of dozens of stories related to a place, company, person, or event. The stories are easily accessible by phone and work both alone and as a story road followed on a map. The project focuses on collecting, editing, and producing content and does not involve implementing or creating new applications.

Archipelago Image

Applicant: University of Turku
Funding granted: €60,206
Total estimated cost: €86,009
Implementation period: 1 January–31 December 2025

The project aims to develop and test advanced image analysis methods for monitoring the eutrophication status of the Archipelago Sea and thus produce new information for planning, targeting, and mitigating eutrophication in archipelago water management measures. The development of methods utilizes machine learning and artificial intelligence, which enable the analysis of large amounts of data quickly and the identification of trends and less obvious changes. The methods being developed can be applied to, for example, drone and aerial images, satellite images, and remote sensing techniques. After the project is completed, the developed image analysis methods can be applied as environmental management tools and utilized, for example, in promoting reed business in coastal areas. Thus, the project aims not only to reduce nutrient loading in the archipelago and improve ecological status but also to improve the conditions for business related to archipelago maintenance.

Paimio Sanatorium Visitor Center

Applicant: Paimio Sanatorium Foundation
Funding granted: €60,000
Total estimated cost: €159,314
Implementation period: 1 May 2024–31 October 2025

The Paimio Sanatorium visitor center project accelerates the sanatorium’s readiness for a new purpose serving tourism. Congress and wellness hotel operations are being planned for the sanatorium’s main building, while a separate visitor center will provide customer service for the increased number of tourists resulting from possible UNESCO World Heritage status while preserving the cultural heritage of the sanatorium designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto and producing related exhibitions. The purpose of this project is to prepare a development and implementation plan for the visitor center before the actual construction project phase.

Southwest Finland Companies as Supporters of Biodiversity

Applicant: Valonia / Regional Council of Southwest Finland
Funding granted: €39,254
Total estimated cost: €56,077
Implementation period: 1 October 2024–30 January 2026

The project creates clear operating models and alternatives through which even small companies can participate in supporting biodiversity at regional, municipal, and local levels. Such forms of participation can include, for example, various partnership collaborations with actors doing environmental work, employee participation in concrete nature restoration projects, or providing own funding for various local biodiversity projects.

Vakka-Vire Proactive Business Advisory Services for Vakka-Suomi

Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €353,916
Total estimated cost: €442,395
Implementation period: 1 August 2024–31 July 2024

The project aims to create a proactive business advisory service and growth platform concept for operating companies. Through the project, growth-oriented companies receive a systematically organized development environment for different stages of growth and various support instruments. By increasing business advisory resources, it is possible to identify and activate companies with investment, growth, and development potential. The project helps companies in workshops to identify their own growth potential, development targets, find business support instruments, and networks. The project maps and initiates Invest In activities to develop services for companies locating in the area. The activities diversify the region’s business sector regardless of industry.

Vakka-Suomi Business and Talent Incubators

Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €169,086
Total estimated cost: €211,358
Implementation period: 1 August 2024–31 July 2024

During the project, Business and Talent Incubator models will be created for Vakka-Suomi. A small business starting in the incubator, a project still at the idea stage, or an individual with their competence resources receive a systematically organized and guided development environment. The incubator company idea can originate from research and product development, work and study background, or private invention. In the talent incubator, the development of an individual’s competence, existing contacts, and individual potential leads to business cooperation or the creation of a possible service concept and business activities. The incubator thus enables individuals to anchor themselves to the region and municipality of residence, better planning and implementation of personal skills, passions, and ideas, and improvement of entrepreneurship and employment opportunities and employment.

Growth and Sustainability Through Circular Economy Procurement

Applicant: Valonia / Regional Council of Southwest Finland
Funding granted: €86,502
Total estimated cost: €123,575
Implementation period: 1 February 2025–30 January 2027

Circular economy procurement refers to public procurement that has the potential to promote more sustainable use of natural resources. The project aims to strengthen the competence of regional municipalities as implementers of procurement that promotes the circular economy, enhance municipalities’ competence in identifying circular economy potential, and produce concrete examples (5 in total) of circular economy procurement that serve as models and examples for other municipalities as well as incentives for businesses. The project increases dialogue and co-development with the market to find and test new solutions in line with the circular economy. The project increases peer learning cooperation between municipalities regarding circular economy procurement.

Development of Dry Toilet Waste Post-Composting Methods in the Archipelago Sea

Applicant: Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association
Granted funding: €13,625
Total estimated cost: €19,464
Implementation period: 1 April–31 October 2025

The project develops and pilots new types of dry toilet waste post-composting solutions and containers in the Archipelago Sea area at three or four island sites and for two different types of dry toilets (collecting and composting dry toilets). The objective is to find a safe and easy-to-use method by which the mass generated from dry toilets can be post-composted so that nutrients do not escape into the terrain and through runoff into the water body, and to achieve a well-composted end product from the waste that can either be used on-site as a soil amendment or, once the mass volume has been reduced, transported to the mainland.

Nutrient Capture in the Archipelago Sea Catchment Area Using Sea Buckthorn Plantings (TYRNIRAKI)

Applicant: University of Turku (Food Sciences, Department of Biotechnology)
Granted funding: €69,986
Total estimated cost: €99,980
Implementation period: 1 April 2025–31 March 2027

The objective is to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen nutrient runoff from fields and to bind nutrients and carbon through sea buckthorn plantings along riverbanks in the catchment area. The project, which began in 2020, includes four sea buckthorn trial areas in the Archipelago Sea catchment areas in Varsinais-Suomi (2 in Paattistenjoki, 1 in Vahdonjoki, 1 in Kiskonjoki). The trial areas have been established in cooperation with local agricultural entrepreneurs between fields and rivers to reduce nutrient loading from fields into water bodies.

Increasing RDI Competence in Salo 2025–2026

Applicant: Yrityssalo Oy
Granted funding: €96,677
Total estimated cost: €138,110
Implementation period: 1 February 2025–31 August 2026

The starting point is to promote the growth of research-based business and bring it visibility. The objective is to activate and increase companies’ innovation activity, develop companies’ RDI competence, and thus contribute to the growth of companies’ RDI funding. The project assembles a mentor network that supports the development of RDI activities and coaches companies in RDI matters. The project organizes regular low-threshold activities and encounters to activate cooperation and RDI activities. The objective is to pilot and test the operating model in Salo and establish it in Loimaa and Vakka-Suomi.

Utö Water Cooperative Development Plan

Applicant: Utö Water Cooperative
Granted funding: €24,500
Total estimated cost: €35,000
Implementation period: 15 December 2024–30 June 2025

The objective of the project is to prepare a plan for how Utö’s water and wastewater management could be developed by renewing it with available technology. This aims to find more cost-effective and environmentally friendly technology, for example using solar and wind energy as well as equipment investments that improve operational efficiency.

TRUST

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €14,700
Total estimated cost: €21,000
Implementation period: 1 December 2024–30 June 2025

Turku University of Applied Sciences is preparing an international project for the Erasmus+ programme’s Alliances for Innovation call for spring 2025. The project focuses on promoting health and well-being in education and workplaces in situations where the transition towards a green economy and the increasing utilization of digitalization causes uncertainty and lack of prospects.

Increasing Municipalities’ International RDI Competence in Varsinais-Suomi

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Granted funding: €57,336
Total estimated cost: €81,909
Implementation period: 1 January 2025–30 June 2026

The objective is to clarify and concretize the role of Varsinais-Suomi municipalities as implementers and enablers of the RDI roadmap. Through RDI profiles created in cooperation with municipalities, municipalities define the current state of their own RDI activities, existing networks, and create a plan for municipalities regarding the target state and key development needs. Using the created profiles, municipalities can conduct project cooperation with various stakeholders more effectively and increase the number of international projects. The objective is also to more broadly clarify RDI cooperation between municipalities, companies, and higher education institutions, as well as to identify municipalities’ key RDI competence needs.

ICE CLASS – Development of Arctic Maritime Industry in Varsinais-Suomi

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Granted funding: €39,783
Total estimated cost: €56,833
Implementation period: 1 January–31 December 2025

Finland, the United States, and Canada published a trilateral declaration (ICE – Icebreaker Collaboration Effort) on 11 July 2024 regarding cooperation in icebreaker production. In this initiative, Finland, Canada, and the United States commit to deepening cooperation to build high-quality icebreakers in each country by sharing expertise, knowledge, and competence. The project objectives are to determine the capacity and willingness of Varsinais-Suomi (maritime) industry companies to operate in the implementation of the ICE initiative or more broadly in Arctic maritime and maritime industry business (design, construction, operation, also education, research, RDI), to plan future development activities based on the survey, and to create a regional cooperation network to support these activities.

NG SHIP II – CoVE

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Granted funding: €7,700
Total estimated cost: €11,000
Implementation period: 1 January–31 May 2025

The objective is to prepare an international cooperation project for the Erasmus+ programme’s Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) call in spring 2025.

The purpose of the Erasmus+ project itself is to develop, test, and implement vocational and higher education that is capable of providing the necessary knowledge, skills, and competence base for the future maritime industry in Europe. One objective is to build regional CoVE networks consisting of various stakeholders for intra-regional and inter-regional measures that broadly support the transformation processes and growth requirements of the maritime industry sector. The project is based on a consortium of 5–6 significant European regional CoVE projects together with the umbrella organizations SeaEurope and industriAll, and it provides a long-term European forum as well as for regional/national measures. The project produces lifelong learning opportunities attractive to new professionals and the current workforce, which promote their career opportunities in the project areas, as well as through close cooperation between education, business, administration, and research.

SARUMAN – Archipelago Sea Dredging Roadmap: Analysis-Based Advisory Tool for Marine Spatial Planning

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Granted funding: €69,881
Total estimated cost: €99,831
Implementation period: 1 April 2025–31 May 2026

The starting point is to produce accurate and detailed measurement data on the hydrography and pollution levels of the waters in the entire intermediate and inner archipelago zone of the Archipelago Sea. In addition, the project compiles information obtained from aerial photographs as well as dredging notifications and applications regarding the location, extent, and timing of dredging operations carried out in the area. The immediate goal of the project is to refine the data collected in repeated water quality measurements and compiled from other sources into a form directly applicable in practical water management work.

Smart Brewery: Utilizing Digitalization and Real-Time VOC Sensors in the Brewing Industry

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Granted funding: €72,282
Total estimated cost: €103,260
Implementation period: 1 March 2025–30 April 2026

The project focuses on a small-scale pilot that tests and develops digitalization and sensor technology related to the brewing process using several different methods. The objective is to create a digital control system that improves the energy efficiency and process control of microbreweries, which in turn reduces production energy waste and ensures a more consistent end product. Real-time data helps optimize the transitions between process stages and brings immediate savings. The open technology resulting from the project supports breweries’ transition to digital solutions and strengthens Varsinais-Suomi’s role as a pioneer in smart industries and clean solutions in accordance with the regional programme.

Secure Data Platform for Business Development

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €150,000
Total estimated cost: €214,286
Implementation period: 1 January 2025–31 December 2026

The project seeks to solve the biggest challenges of the data economy and data sharing-based business, such as companies’ distrust and fear of losing competitive advantage. The project utilizes the data platform developed in previous projects (TEHOTEKO, SafeSea, RoboSea) and provides technical solutions that are integrated into this platform.

The project develops the data platform utilizing Gaia-X standardization, which enables the development of new data sharing-based business. The project produces data for developing companies’ AI solutions and pilots the developed data platform together with companies to increase trust and create a local data ecosystem. The objective is to create international competitive advantage and new business opportunities, especially for SMEs in Varsinais-Suomi. Data value creation requires several stages, such as data acquisition, collection, and analysis. Using the developed data platform, companies can leverage each other’s skills and provide access to data, which reduces the risks of individual companies. The project provides methods for overcoming barriers to data sharing and enables data sharing within and between organizations, offering a comprehensive solution to data economy challenges, promoting trust and competitiveness in local data ecosystems.

DRONEAvanti

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €150,000
Total estimated cost: €214,286
Implementation period: 1 January 2025–31 December 2026

The project aims to develop the Avanti area as a fuel-free zone for the future. The project will test the feasibility of drone deliveries and the adoption of new technologies. The Avanti area will serve as a carbon-neutral pioneer in clean solutions, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Drone deliveries are one of the innovations brought by the new generation, which have so far been utilized to a limited extent. The project will test various technical solutions to determine the capacity of deliveries in terms of distance, weight, and speed. New pathways will be opened for professionals to come and settle in the region. The development of new technologies and applications, such as local and short-distance deliveries, plays a significant role in renewable industry. As part of the diverse utilization of emerging technologies, the development of drone deliveries will play a significant role in the near future in renewing traditional productive industry and innovating clean solutions.

Implementation planning of the Varsinais-Suomi Regional Programme from a sports perspective – VS Sports Strategy for Finland

Applicant: Southwest Finland Sports and Athletics Association (Liiku)
Funding granted: €14,350
Total estimated cost: €20,500
Implementation period: 1 March 2023–30 June 2024

The objective is a sports strategy process with a broad group of participants. The project will create practical objectives and an action plan for the opportunity highlighted in the regional strategy to see Varsinais-Suomi as “a region of active people, where well-being is created through art, culture, sports, outdoor opportunities, and working together.”

Regional cooperation in lifelong learning

Applicant: City of Turku
Funding granted: €62,233
Total estimated cost: €88,905
Implementation period: 1 May 2023–31 May 2024

The Regional Cooperation in Lifelong Learning project is the first step towards a joint lifelong learning strategy for Varsinais-Suomi and a regional lifelong learning ecosystem. The project is implemented by the City of Turku’s competence flagship project, but it is based on extensive regional cooperation and a jointly identified need for better coordination of activities. Attached to the application is a letter of intent from 12 stakeholder organizations involved in the planning work to support the activities according to the work plan. In addition to engaging stakeholders, the project’s most important goal is to ensure that the work is guided as a whole in the region based on up-to-date information.

Professionals to the region

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €53,175
Total estimated cost: €75,965
Implementation period: 1 May 2023–31 May 2024

The primary objective is to improve the availability of skilled labor in regional cities while promoting the operating conditions and competitiveness of local businesses. The services offered by the project support companies’ growth opportunities and also promote international competitiveness. The project tests and pilots the deployment of services, which also benefit regional cities. The objective is to improve companies’ ability to operate competitively in their own markets, also from a regional development perspective. The need has been identified in regional cities, and piloting seeks functional solutions that cities can also use to support labor availability.

Virtual and live art as an enabler of experiential everyday life for the elderly

Applicant: Turun Lähimmäispalveluyhdistys ry
Funding granted: €33,811
Total estimated cost: €48,302
Implementation period: 1 June 2023–31 May 2024

The project will hire a professional artist-background project worker to create content with the elderly using community art methods for transfer to augmented reality and the virtual world. The content can be visual art, recitation, dance, or anything the elderly wish to create. However, the common theme is nature and especially the marine nature theme. These jointly created contents will be transferred to digital AR format or virtual format, allowing other elderly people, relatives, children, tourists, etc., to enjoy them. The idea is to create local cultural content that could then be shared with other municipalities in the Varsinais-Suomi region. The activity is mobile.

Varsinais-Suomi RDI roadmap

Applicant: Turku Science Park
Funding granted: €30,233
Total estimated cost: €43,191
Implementation period: 1 April–31 December 2023

The roadmap work is based on the priorities of the region’s smart specialization strategy, but the approach is broader. The objective is to clarify the region’s profile in the RD field and select priorities where RDI funding can be increased. The objective is to identify future research topics at the region’s higher education institutions. Identify ways to achieve broader entities. Define key existing and potential RDI platforms. Define fields with a complete value chain from education to research, RDI-supporting infrastructure, and leading companies in their field. During the project, the roadmap update process will also be agreed upon.

Promoting CAP implementation in the Archipelago Sea catchment area

Applicant: MTK-Varsinais-Suomi
Funding granted: €68,909
Total estimated cost: €98,442
Implementation period: 1 March 2023–31 October 2024

The purpose of the project is to ensure, through guidance and communication, that agricultural entrepreneurs operating in the Archipelago Sea catchment area apply as comprehensively as possible for CAP environmental measures from national funding and that the measures are targeted in the best way for water protection. In addition, other environmental measures, such as improving field water management, crop rotation, and adding various soil amendments to fields, including the KIPSI project, are effectively promoted in Varsinais-Suomi.

Supporting the security of supply of the marine industry network

Applicant: University of Turku
Funding granted: €69,323
Total estimated cost: €99,032
Implementation period: 1 April 2023–31 May 2024

The objective is to achieve a better understanding of supply chain disruption factors in shipbuilding and their anticipation, as well as mitigation measures in the marine industry network. The project will contribute to the resilience and competitiveness of the shipyard supplier network operating in Varsinais-Suomi’s key industry. The objective is to highlight the most critical supply chains to achieve the best possible impact. The operating method produced and tested in the project can be adopted more widely in the continuity management of marine industry supply chains.

Archipelago Sea monitoring system

Applicant: Regional Council of Varsinais-Suomi
Funding granted: €18,616
Total estimated cost: €26,594
Implementation period: 1 May 2023–31 October 2023

The objective of the project is to enable the implementation of the Archipelago Sea monitoring system in accordance with the Varsinais-Suomi Regional Programme so that its impact is as great as possible. The main sub-objectives of the project are 1) preparation of a needs assessment for the Archipelago Sea monitoring system, 2) mapping of different data sources, and 3) a proposal for the implementation method of the monitoring system.

Vitality through entrepreneurial competence – a development model for municipalities

Applicant: Varsinais-Suomi Entrepreneurs. Co-implementer: National YES ry
Funding granted: €57,330
Total estimated cost: €81,900
Implementation period: 1 May 2023–31 December 2024

The objective is to build a development model for entrepreneurial competence in pilot municipalities (Parainen and Naantali). The implementation and evaluation of the model go hand in hand in the pilot municipalities. The activity will be rooted in the pilot municipalities already during the project. The end result is thus not only a description of a development model that can be replicated in other municipalities, but also a practical experiment by two municipalities in the strategic utilization of entrepreneurship education as part of the municipality’s vitality work.

Hundreds of islands and coves – the gems of the Vakka-Suomi marine area

Applicant: City of Uusikaupunki. Co-implementers: Municipalities of Kustavi and Taivassalo.
Funding granted: €28,462
Total estimated cost: €40,660
Implementation period: 1 April 2023–1 June 2024

In order to develop sustainable and year-round tourism in Vakka-Suomi, a mapping of the archipelago’s conditions, strengths, and challenges is needed. The project will build a foundation for new cooperation for the development of archipelago tourism, conduct place-making-based development planning for the area’s gem sites, and create a map-based current state analysis and future milestone map.

MetaWeld

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €12,600
Total estimated cost: €18,000
Implementation period: 1 November 2023–30 April 2024

The objective is to prepare an international cooperation project called “MetRoWelD – Metaverse in Robotic Welding” for the Erasmus+ Alliances for Innovation programme in spring 2024.

The MetRoWelD project being applied for will develop a metaverse environment for welding robotics that can be used: 1) in companies’ welding development and 2) as a learning environment in both secondary and higher education. The objective of the international project is that all parties have a safe virtual environment to carry out welding robotics-related development activities and exercises in a goal-oriented manner. When a welding robot can be used in a metaverse environment, it is possible to offer an individual a much broader entity than is possible with a physical robot. The key objective of the future MetRoWelD project is the continuous learning of those in employment and enabling companies to increase their level of automation – not only in welding but also in a broader context.

Future electrified mobility and expertise in European value chain

Applicant: Yrityssalo Oy
Funding granted: €14,980
Total estimated cost: €21,400
Implementation period: 15 August 2023–15 April 2024

The objective of the international preparatory project is to assemble a consortium of project actors who will prepare a future EU-funded project application and commit to implementing the project according to a jointly prepared plan. Yrityssalo aims for a co-implementer role in the project. Funding will be sought from the I3 (Interregional Innovation Investments) instrument or the Erasmus+ programme if a suitable call opens in late 2023.

The EU project being applied for is based on promoting the electrification of society through new technologies and innovations across the entire battery value chain and contributing to the creation of international partnerships for the battery cluster. The idea is also to develop the project in accordance with the objectives jointly set by EU Member States and thus narrow development gaps between different regions/Member States and promote cohesion.

The interaction of obesity and inflammation in the development of knee osteoarthritis

Applicant: University of Turku
Funding granted: €12,000
Total estimated cost: €18,000
Implementation period: 21 June 2023–30 April 2024
The project will prepare an application for the Horizon Europe programme’s Tackling diseases call.

The objective of the project being applied for is to investigate the interaction of obesity and inflammation in the development of knee osteoarthritis. The project will utilize several new research methods, including imaging of joint tissues using three-dimensional histology, as well as measuring gene expression directly from tissue samples using RNA sequencing. These methods enable the measurement of structural changes in target tissues as well as functional changes at the single-cell level. The study will include both patient samples and new animal models of osteoarthritis. In addition, the effect of the appetite-reducing GLP1RA drug (Semaglutide) and bariatric surgery on disease development will be investigated. The results will identify new biomarkers that reflect the processes underlying disease onset and progression.

Art and circular economy

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €14,959
Total estimated cost: €21,370
Implementation period: 1 September–31 December 2023

The project will prepare a Creative Europe application (2023) coordinated by the Arts Academy of Turku University of Applied Sciences, entitled Artistic Encounters and Circling Materialities.

The project being applied for will promote circular economy competence in the arts and culture sector in cooperation with European partners. The objective is to create closer cooperation between educational institutions, the independent arts and culture sector, and regional circular economy centers, so that the renewal of competence responds quickly to competence needs arising from, among other things, climate change, changes in business and working life, and the operating environment.

From health data to health interventions – TITTELI

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €13,650
Total estimated cost: €19,500
Implementation period: 1 October 2023–30 April 2024

Turku University of Applied Sciences is applying, in cooperation with regional and international partners, for Horizon Europe Plus funding in the two-stage HORIZON-HLTH-2024-STAYHLTH-01-02 Towards a holistic support to children and adolescents health and care provisions in an increasingly digital society call. The total budget of the future project for three years will be approximately €8–10 million.

The target group of the extensive Horizon project is children and young people under 24 years of age. The project aims to respond with modern data-based validated interventions to the following global health-related problems, among others: 1/3 of primary school-age children living in the EU area are overweight, and the proportion of inactive European young people is 76.8%. Physical inactivity further increases the risk of obesity and the resulting mental and psychological health harms as well as social isolation, which further increase physical and psychological problems and the risk of poverty. This trend must be stopped so that future citizens are healthy and able to participate fully in society’s functions.

Vitality from sustainable competence

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €14,700
Total estimated cost: €21,000
Implementation period: 13 November 2023–31 May 2024
An application will be prepared for the Erasmus+ Alliance for Innovation programme’s spring 2024 call. Turku UAS will act as the lead applicant.

The project aims to renew sustainable development education in higher education institutions and secondary education, especially in the fields of engineering and business. Examples of field-specific educational areas include construction, energy and environmental, mechanical and automation, and chemical engineering, as well as sales teachers and students, and actors in various project study modules. In addition, the target group includes companies producing digital learning solutions, flexible and anticipatory training services, and educational institution-business cooperation solutions, through which the aim is to find ways to bring together green transition actors to experiment and find new ways of cooperation.

Increasing the impact of Archipelago Sea knowledge

Applicant: Varsinais-Suomi Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Funding granted: €23,978
Total estimated cost: €34,255
Implementation period: 16 October 2023–30 June 2024

The objectives are 1) to better understand the effects of reducing nutrient loading in the Archipelago Sea and the prerequisites for achieving the good ecological status objective. Assessments of the Archipelago Sea’s internal loading contain more uncertainties and regional differences than the rest of the Baltic Sea, which hinder the planning of mitigating eutrophication in the Archipelago Sea and the impact modeling that supports it. 2) to produce new information for the planning and targeting of water management measures. 3) to assemble a multidisciplinary steering group that will continue after the project, coordinate current and planned projects, and seek to increase the impact of the knowledge acquired through them.

RDI compass

Applicant: Turku Science Park Oy
Funding granted: €66,675
Total estimated cost: €95,250
Implementation period: 1 May 2024–30 April 2025

The project will launch a development process in which Varsinais-Suomi’s national and international competitiveness is supported by three experiments aimed at RDI professionals. These will highlight the diversity and internationality of the region’s RDI activities. For the business target group, the emphasis is on those who received RDI funding in 2022 and 2023, as well as those applying for funding during the project implementation period, who anticipate competence needs.

Leading the way with artificial intelligence 2023–2025

Applicant: Yrityssalo Oy
Funding granted: €53,707
Total estimated cost: €76,725
Implementation period: 1 December 2023–31 January 2025

The importance of digital and AI-based technological capabilities is emphasized in a challenging global situation where companies’ ability to renew themselves and make bold, data- and knowledge-based moves towards new markets is essential.

The objective is to open up the possibilities of artificial intelligence to companies through the latest information and case examples, to inform about the benefits and challenges of AI, and to encourage the target group to adopt AI. Yrityssalo’s pilot serves as an example of how a customized AI solution is developed, tested, optimized, and finally integrated as part of business operations and how it frees up resources for other activities.

Technical development for future archipelago tourism TUFF

Applicant: Kimitoöns kommun, co-implementer Pargas Stad
Funding granted: €68,695
Total estimated cost: €98,136
Implementation period: 1 January 2024–30 September 2025

The purpose of the project is to test and take advantage of new technical solutions to create and tailor information for the customer, connect existing and new, and to have the product presented in the most appropriate way possible. In this project, we want to take advantage of the opportunities that digitalization and artificial intelligence contribute to communicating and informing. Sustainability and digitalization go hand in hand when it comes to developing archipelago tourism. Digital development and artificial intelligence offer great opportunities to develop services and make the archipelago’s offerings visible year-round.

Coordination project for implementing the action plan for sudden structural change in Vakka-Suomi and the surrounding area

Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €143,217
Total estimated cost: €204,595
Implementation period: 1 December 2023–31 December 2025

The project’s measures will ensure the implementation of the action plan for sudden structural change in Vakka-Suomi and the surrounding area and the progress of cooperation in accordance with the action plan. The objective is that the ÄRM funding directed to Vakka-Suomi and the surrounding area and the activities initiated with it are utilized as well and comprehensively as possible. The coordination project will ensure the coordination of project cooperation, the recording of information, and agile sharing.

Supporting agency – cooperation and participation in Varsinais-Suomi

Applicant: Tukenasi ry
Funding granted: €47,327
Total estimated cost: €67,610
Implementation period: 1 September 2022–31 August 2024

The project responds to current challenges: the reforms brought by the wellbeing services county and the unfortunate increase in the number of people experiencing loneliness. The project supports the development of cross-sectoral operating models/activities aimed at reducing loneliness, increasing community spirit and agency, and promoting civic activities such as volunteering.

First aid for competence for entrepreneurs – building a partnership model

Applicant: Varsinais-Suomi Entrepreneurs. Co-implementer: Raseborg Region Educational Federation
Funding granted: €49,490
Total estimated cost: €70,700
Implementation period: 1 September 2022–31 December 2023

The project will provide an understanding of how educational organizations, public administration actors, and other expert bodies in Varsinais-Suomi can respond agilely and effectively to the acute service needs related to the competence of entrepreneurs and businesses. A model of the partnership will be produced in the project describing and guiding the operation of the cooperation network, which enables the model to be copied and utilized in future activities aimed at building a competence ecosystem at regional, provincial, and national levels. The project will create a clear service path for companies and entrepreneurs for the rapid resolution of companies’ competence challenges.

Jobs in the countryside

Applicant: Municipality of Pöytyä
Funding granted: €54,880
Total estimated cost: €78,400
Implementation period: 1 September 2022–31 August 2023

The objectives of the project are

• To get employees for businesses in the area
• To highlight what everyday life in Auranmaa is like
• To create a current picture of the countryside in general (to dispel the misconception that there are no jobs in the countryside)
• To highlight the opportunities brought by remote work
• To introduce businesses in the area to each other
• To train entrepreneurs in the area for a successful recruitment process

SAARI (ArchipelagoRider)

Applicant: Pro Litore ry. Co-implementer: Baltic Sea Action Group
Funding granted: €68,629
Total estimated cost: €98,042
Implementation period: 1 January 2023–31 December 2024

The project will produce completely new background information in terms of accuracy and coverage on the variation of underwater habitat types and water quality in the Gullkrona marine protected area and its surrounding environment.

Such researched information is essential both for the reliability of monitoring the effectiveness of protection and for targeting new protection measures. Since the operating model piloted in the project is freely scalable and replicable, it should be applicable as such in any coastal environment as a cost-effective environmental management tool. The large-scale investment in the project in both data sets and the deployment of the operating model is of paramount importance for fact-based opinion influencing, which aims to promote operating methods that are synergistically beneficial for the water body, climate, and economy.

Varsinais-Suomi as a virtual production training and development center

Applicant: Turku Science Park Oy. Co-implementer: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €68,600
Total estimated cost: €98,000
Implementation period: 1 September 2022–30 September 2023

The background to the project is the huge increase in the number of virtual productions and at the same time the shortage of professionals in virtual technology. The digital technology offered by virtual production offers new solutions and services for the needs of design, simulation, product development, and training in other key industries such as marine and pharmaceutical industries in addition to the AV industry. The objective of the project is to increase regional AR, VR, and XR competence capital in the region’s higher education institutions and companies. The long-term objective is to create a national virtual production training and development center in Varsinais-Suomi, whose activities are based on international cooperation.

Development of a temporary employment model for the long-term unemployed 2022–2023

Applicant: Yrityssalo Oy
Funding granted: €50,450
Total estimated cost: €72,072
Implementation period: 1 September 2022–31 August 2023

The project focuses on the long-term unemployed (04/2022 approximately 700 people among Salo’s unemployed), who do not find employment even though there are many open jobs in Salo. The employment of the long-term unemployed in the open labor market and the labor market matching challenge require new innovative solutions. The project’s pilot activities will pilot a public temporary employment model for the long-term unemployed, which takes into account the need for additional support in meeting the requirements of working life.

The target group consists of the long-term unemployed and those employer companies that are willing to participate in the piloting phase and hire a long-term unemployed person according to the temporary employment model conceptualized in the project. The project actors are public sector actors in Salo, who in this project are partners and who together solve the challenges of employing the long-term unemployed through pilot activities.

MAKKO – Sustainable tourism development through participation

Applicant: Kimitoöns kommun
Funding granted: €60,659
Total estimated cost: €86,656
Implementation period: 1 September 2022–31 August 2024

The number of visitors to the archipelago has increased greatly in recent years, and the trend appears to be continuing. At the same time, there is a struggle with a declining population trend. In the long run, the development leads to unsustainable seasonal polarization with overload in summer and overcapacity during the low season. The project’s objective is to work towards less seasonal dependence and more sustainable tourism through concrete measures. The project’s pilot area is Kimitoön, but the model is applicable to any archipelago and rural area. The focus of the measures is to create new activities and routes also outside the high season. Regarding the measures, the focus is as much on the method as on the results, that is, how the measures are shaped and the results are created. In the project, users are engaged in the development process directly from the beginning. Users are defined primarily as residents (permanent and leisure residents) and visitors. Secondly, owners/organizers are also involved, that is, those responsible for the continuation of operations and activities also after the end of the project. The third focus area is communication and accessibility. Within the framework of the project, a user-friendly digital platform for both information dissemination and communication is created.

Foresight service platform

Applicant: University of Turku
Funding granted: €79,683
Total estimated cost: €113,832
Implementation period: 1 August 2021–31 July 2022

To support the sustainable growth and vitality of regions, a model is needed that broadly measures risk management and resilience, which includes resilience and risk indicator information as well as a browser-based foresight tool. The purpose of the project is to produce an expanding and updating resilience and risk indicator database serving business and the public sector, as well as a practical foresight tool.

Higher education institutions as enhancers of business competitiveness

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €59,556
Total estimated cost: €85,080
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–30 April 2022

The various funding opportunities aimed at overcoming the corona crisis that have opened and will open for applications during 2021 offer, when used and targeted correctly, extensive cooperation opportunities for higher education institutions and companies in the Varsinais-Suomi region.

The objectives are:

To establish RDI ecosystems in the Varsinais-Suomi region as co-development environments for companies, universities of applied sciences, and universities.
To ensure that regional recovery funding broadly supports RDI ecosystems established in the Varsinais-Suomi region as co-development environments for companies, universities of applied sciences, and universities.
To ensure that a significant share of the RRF funding that will later be opened nationally for applications is obtained for Varsinais-Suomi.
To ensure that all necessary regional expertise and competence from both higher education institutions and companies are included in the extensive entities being prepared.
To ensure the commitment of the various parties.

Municipal digital society and post-COVID readiness – target state and reality in Varsinais-Suomi

Applicant: Brahea Centre, University of Turku
Funding granted: €39,618
Total estimated cost: €56,597
Implementation period: 1 April 2021 – 30 April 2022

The objective of the project is to promote the implementation of the Varsinais-Suomi regional recovery plan by ensuring the digital society readiness of the municipal sector. At the same time, insight is gained into post-COVID-19 readiness for actions essential to regional economic recovery and resilience. As background work for the project, an overall picture of municipal digital readiness was formed, and the accuracy of this first impression will now be refined. At the same time, issues that have not yet been advanced, known how to address, or understood to be taken into account will be brought into discussion. Including the promotion of competence and the need for support. In addition, good examples, places for development and experimentation, latent ideas and innovation, as well as pain points and bottlenecks will be identified.

From Needs to Products, TarTu

Applicant: Brahea Centre, University of Turku
Funding granted: €34,867
Total estimated cost: €49,810
Implementation period: 1 September 2021 – 31 August 2022

The project focuses on revitalizing the activities of the region’s food network during and after the coronavirus with its own contribution. As its name suggests, the project seeks to find new partnerships and deepen direct, conversational cooperation through needs-based product development. The target group consists of private and public restaurants of all sizes operating in the region, as well as local food enterprises.

Appeal and Vitality – Strengthening the Vitality and Appeal of Turku’s Commercial Centre

Applicant: Turun Ydinkeskustayhdistys ry
Funding granted: €9,891
Total estimated cost: €14,130
Implementation period: 4 March – 31 December 2021

The traditional strength of city centres, namely specialty retail, has faced challenges for some time, in Turku particularly due to centre renovations. The starting point is to support the business of centre entrepreneurs and strengthen the attractiveness of the centre. The intention is to launch a new website for the joint brand of Turku’s commercial centres and introduce a dedicated mobile card. In addition to these tools, networking and the opportunity to share good practices are also offered. Joint communication strengthens the attractiveness of the centre.

Virtual Studio Business Centre – Operating Model, Project Plan, and Engaging Networking

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €50,904
Total estimated cost: €72,720
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–30 April 2022

In Varsinais-Suomi, a need has been identified across various sectors to utilize and adopt new virtual technology that enables faster and more competitive product development, serves internationally operating export enterprises, education and research, and offers event, entertainment, and film productions a comprehensive solution meeting international requirements, including for filming and producing visual effects. The Virtual Studio project directly addresses these needs with a virtual studio solution. The result of the project is an extensive project plan for establishing a virtual studio.

From Loneliness to Inclusion

Applicant: Tukenasi ry
Funding granted: €20,713
Total estimated cost: €29,760
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–28 February 2022

The purpose of the project is to promote opportunities for people of different ages experiencing loneliness to obtain social contacts promoting interaction and experiences of inclusion.

Objectives:

Reduce loneliness by increasing residents’ opportunities for active agency and encouraging individual residents and organizations to implement concrete loneliness-reducing actions within their own resources.
Promote genuine forms of cooperation between different organizations that produce concrete loneliness prevention measures.
Support municipalities in their work aimed at reducing loneliness by presenting already developed functional models and providing examples of how similar activities can be developed in one’s own municipality in cross-sectoral cooperation with different actors.

Co-working Space Ukin Solmu

Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €78,695
Total estimated cost: €112,421
Implementation period: 1 April 2021 – 30 September 2022

The Vakka-Suomi region lacks opportunities and solutions for the needs of remote workers or sole entrepreneurs to work in a communal environment. The project will map the needs of the region’s various business services (TE services, ELY, Tax, etc.), business stakeholders, enterprises, sole entrepreneurs, and those planning to become entrepreneurs. The project will plan various functions and the space concepts they require, develop service offerings, events, and activities in cooperation with advisory organizations and enterprises. Services developed in the project are planned to meet demand utilizing service design. The project will build revenue models for different concepts to provide a profitable basis for further development and permanent operations.

From Student to Owner

Applicant: Varsinais-Suomi Entrepreneurs Association
Funding granted: €43,106
Total estimated cost: €61,580
Implementation period: 1 May 2021 – 30 April 2022

81% of entrepreneurs over 55 estimate they will relinquish operational responsibility for their enterprise within the next five years. The objective of the project is to make purchasing an existing enterprise a viable alternative to establishing a new enterprise. One proposed solution to the challenge is the formation of Successor Schools in connection with secondary-level vocational institutions, where the departing entrepreneur and potential successor could meet and where specialized expertise in ownership transfers could be offered. Students are encouraged to become successors to existing enterprises and coached towards a successful business acquisition.

World Trade Centre International Scaler

Applicant: Turku Science Park Oy
Funding granted: €68,684
Total estimated cost: €98,120
Implementation period: 1 May 2021 – 30 April 2022

The objective of the project is to assist regional export enterprises in acquiring new international customers by piloting a new type of International Scaler operating model based on the previously proven “export ring” model. The model identifies groups of enterprises in the region’s key sectors that are ready to embark on a joint export effort. Enterprise groups are prepared for a joint export project by offering a PreScaler programme, where enterprise representatives get to know each other and create an implementation plan for the export project. The objective is also to develop cooperation between actors providing internationalization services in the region and enterprises to be more efficient and effective. As a result of the project, the WTC Turku International Scaler operating model and Pre Scaler programme have been piloted and documented for establishment as part of WTC Turku’s operations.

Health-Safe Maritime Cluster

Applicant: University of Turku
Funding granted: €67,955
Total estimated cost: €97,079
Implementation period: 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022

In Varsinais-Suomi, the operations of maritime cluster enterprises have been hampered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary to prepare for similar situations and conditions in the future, and for this reason it is important to develop operating methods for enterprises that facilitate recovery from such market disruption situations. The objective of the project is to find, in cooperation with Varsinais-Suomi maritime cluster enterprises and education and research organizations, innovative and commercially viable health-safe operating methods, including space and material solutions. These will help target enterprises recover from the current and possible future pandemic-like market disruptions.

Ruissalo – The First Island

Applicant: Sylvi Salonen Oy
Funding granted: €27,832
Total estimated cost: €39,760
Implementation period: 1 April – 30 September 2021

To highlight the area and support enterprises, the City of Turku has started funding an advertising campaign for summer 2021, “100 Reasons to Travel in Finland,” in cooperation with regional business operators. All Ruissalo operators are involved in the campaign. The objective of the project is to commit all Ruissalo operators to a cooperation model that enables continuation of cooperation after the campaign. The model is intended to incorporate a funding model that can sustain joint activities. The project will build a Ruissalo website that will remain active year-round and develop as a general presentation of Ruissalo.

Digikohtaus – International Business Meetings Digitally

Applicant: SHIFT Ry
Funding granted: €29,792
Total estimated cost: €42,560
Implementation period: 1 April – 30 September 2021

Due to travel restrictions, physical encounters are increasingly handled digitally. Trade fairs and various business events in particular have experienced a tremendous transformation over the past year and a half. International business events have been an effective channel for startup and growth-stage enterprises in particular to meet potential investors and customers. The objective of the project is to find more effective implementation methods to attract international visitors to digital events and increase international encounters for regional enterprises. Cooperation is conducted with the Startup Day event organized in Tartu, Estonia.

WIN WIN – Appeal Through Business Collaboration

Applicant: City of Loimaa
Funding granted: €35,000
Total estimated cost: €50,000
Implementation period: 1 May 2021 – 31 December 2022

The project investigates solutions where an enterprise locating in the region can utilize local multidimensional expertise through a one-stop-shop principle. The objective is to model the piloted operating method as a replicable concept for use by smaller cities to promote the local economy. Based on the results of this experimental and development project, there may be a need to build a tailored digital and quality-assured network concept that is scalable to larger location environments and also to different sectors.

Digital Work-Life Skills Training Programme for Young People, Part 1

Applicant: Talous ja Nuoret TAT ry
Funding granted: €69,541
Total estimated cost: €99,344
Implementation period: 1 May 2021 – 28 February 2022

The project’s innovation specifically addresses youth unemployment resulting from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which doubled in 2020, as well as recovery from the deteriorated employment situation. The plan includes rapid-impact measures, long-term measures, and the piloting, launch, and implementation of a new operating model. In addition, the project produces concrete tools, promotes better employment of young people, and thereby addresses the mismatch problem in youth employment in the region. An effective training package supporting youth employment will be built around the Duunikoutsi application.

Supporting the Resilience of Varsinais-Suomi Enterprises Against Maritime Logistics Disruptions

Applicant: University of Turku Centre for Maritime Studies
Funding granted: €37,836
Total estimated cost: €54,052
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–28 February 2022

The primary objective of the project is to improve enterprises’ preparedness for maritime logistics disruptions (particularly on the Turku/Naantali routes). Better preparedness supports business continuity in logistics disruption situations. A secondary objective is to improve the capacity of authorities to support the resilience of Varsinais-Suomi’s key industries in logistics disruptions. At the same time, the significance of the Archipelago Sea shipping lanes for Varsinais-Suomi’s key industries will be investigated/assessed, and those sections of the waterways for which situational awareness and preparedness need to be developed will be highlighted.

International Competitiveness Through Sustainable Tourism in the Turku Archipelago

Applicant: City of Pargas
Funding granted: €66,290
Total estimated cost: €94,701
Implementation period: 1 July 2021–30 June 2022

The objective of the project is to develop sustainable, responsible, and health-safe tourism in the Turku Archipelago region, in Pargas and Kimitoön. Sustainable and responsible tourism is being developed nationally by Visit Finland through the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) programme. Both Pargas and Kimitoön have enterprises that, through training and development work, can achieve sustainable tourism certification and become part of the STF programme in the future. The programme also has a destination level, which means that municipal tourism organizations or individuals are involved in the programme.

Occurrence and Biomass of Reed Beds in the Archipelago Sea

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €66,500
Total estimated cost: €95,000
Implementation period: 1 June 2021–31 May 2023

According to research, the condition of water bodies can be permanently improved through regular harvesting of reed beds. The objective of the project is to remove bottlenecks to promote profitable reed business, so that reed beds come under regular and large-scale harvesting and biomass can be removed from the water body for beneficial use. One bottleneck is obtaining permits for the utilization of sufficiently large contiguous cutting areas. The opportunities for coastal entrepreneurs to initiate commercial utilization of reed beds will be improved by investigating available biomass and land and water area ownership rights. The project will develop and apply a method combining remote sensing and field observations to reliably estimate the amount of common reed biomass over large areas.

RekrySalo 2021–2023

Applicant: Yrityssalo Oy
Funding granted: €78,400
Total estimated cost: €112,000
Implementation period: 1 May 2021–30 April 2023

The digitalization of recruitment has been rapid, and the importance of digital channels and tools continues to grow. The project focuses on increasing the recruitment competence of micro and small enterprises, providing comprehensive guidance at all stages of the recruitment process, and encouraging the effective use of digital tools and services. In addition, the project focuses on various means of building employer image, as the significance of employer image is increasingly important in recruitment.

Archipelago Sea Impact Investment Concept

Applicant: Varsinais-Suomi Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Funding granted: €42,000
Total estimated cost: €60,000
Implementation period: 1 February 2022–31 December 2022

Solving key environmental challenges, such as biodiversity and climate change, requires systemic changes and enormous financial investments from societies. To achieve the objectives, it is essential to find new financing methods that enhance the effectiveness of public funds and are based on models that enable greater utilization of private investment capital in advancing the objectives.

The impact investment concept shifts the focus from the procurement of precisely defined outputs or actions to procurement or payments based on results and impacts. A financing model utilizing private capital can, at best, transform current environmental challenges, such as the poor ecological status of the Archipelago Sea, into investment opportunities that can enhance the use of tax revenues in solving environmental challenges.

MÅSSE – Micro-Enterprises in Åboland in Cooperation for the Archipelago Sea and Effect

Applicant: Kimitoön Municipality, co-implementer City of Pargas
Funding granted: €53,508
Total estimated cost: €76,440
Implementation period: 1 February 2022–31 March 2023

The objectives of the project are to highlight the role of local micro-enterprises and small enterprises in the work to improve the condition of the Archipelago Sea (enterprise focus), while establishing an organized approach to cooperation and concrete measures for the Archipelago Sea (the Archipelago Sea bio-region as a coordinating force). To make the work concrete, we want to create a toolbox containing concrete action proposals for Åboland enterprises to access (action plan/action box). Furthermore, we want to achieve a mutual agreement or “deal” on concrete measures for the Archipelago Sea, based on the toolbox for enterprises and the municipalities’ own environmental programmes.

Development of Customer Work in Machinery and Production Technology at Raseko

Applicant: Raseko Educational Consortium
Funding granted: €29,400
Total estimated cost: €42,000
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–30 June 2023

During the COVID pandemic, students experienced competence gaps because they were unable to develop their skills in working life through work placements as usual. This project develops Raseko’s learning environments in the field of machinery and production technology so that Raseko’s facilities enable student work to be carried out for enterprises and private individuals. These student projects meet working life requirements as closely as possible: they have a client with whom product quality and schedule have been agreed. These student projects enable the acquisition and demonstration of competence (assessments) in accordance with the vocational qualification requirements of the Machinery and Production Technology qualification.

The project addresses the correction of students’ competence gaps in the short term, and in the longer term enables students to transition more flexibly to enterprises for work placements or employment.

Planning Project for the Culture and Experience Industry Growth Programme

Applicant: Turku Science Park Oy
Funding granted: €66,290
Total estimated cost: €94,700
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–31 December 2022

The culture and experience industry growth programme resulting from the project will create a new type of regional business and innovation services operating model in cooperation with regional actors. It supports the growth and internationalization of culture and experience industry enterprises. The growth programme begins by mapping the current state of business and innovation services, and corresponding services and programmes in Finland and Europe. The planning phase of the operating model includes target group definition, application criteria, analysis of growth barriers, planning of training packages, and securing future piloting and funding. The growth programme will involve both culture and experience industry enterprises and tech or other sector enterprises sought as their partners. Combining creative and technical expertise is an important task of the growth programme. The growth programme is international from the outset and its language is English. The growth programme also supports and strengthens the activities of Culture Campus Turku.

A New Life for the Filter

Applicant: City of Turku / Turku Vocational Institute
Funding granted: €67,130
Total estimated cost: €95,900
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–28 February 2023

The project develops the circular economy and material competence of vocational students, particularly in the textile and fashion sector, through a new project-based learning model emphasizing product development and testing. The project develops and tests, together with Teva-Team Oy, the production and properties of ventilation filters for detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses made from technical recycled material. Particular attention is paid to the serviceability of filters made from recycled materials using washing equipment available in households (washing machines, steam washing machines, tumble dryers). Current filters are disposable, but the project aims to achieve filters with 30 uses using washable materials.

Attractiveness and Communication of the Battery Sector and Electrification in Varsinais-Suomi (eVETO)

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €61,600
Total estimated cost: €88,000
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–30 September 2022

The objective of the project is to increase the attractiveness of the region’s battery sector actors at the national level and to support the operating conditions and development of a rapidly growing industrial sector. The project also supports the electrification processes of small and medium-sized enterprises. The project will produce a comprehensive communication plan to increase awareness of the region among battery sector experts and actors as well as in educational institutions. The project will also produce a comprehensive plan focusing on influencer communication, which can prominently highlight the region’s expertise and attractiveness as a key battery sector competence and enterprise cluster.

UUTTERA – New Business from Energy Communities

Applicant: UUTTERA – New Business from Energy Communities
Funding granted: €52,234
Total estimated cost: €74,620
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–30 June 2023

The objective is to accelerate the energy transition in Varsinais-Suomi. During the project, a regional competence network of thermal energy enterprises will be created, the green transition of enterprises and the economic structure will be promoted, competence and training needs related to thermal energy storage will be investigated, and RDI knowledge will be disseminated for use by the region and enterprises. A cooperation model for residential properties will be created in the region to replicate energy community activities and to enhance guidance accelerating energy efficiency and heating system renovations in housing companies. The current state and information needs of the housing company stock will be mapped and relevant actors brought together.

VIVA – Virtual Hydrogen and Ammonia Research Platform

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €58,800
Total estimated cost: €84,000
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–31 December 2022

The objective of the project is to investigate the technical boundary conditions and safety aspects of building a hydrogen and ammonia research platform, and to increase competence in the storage and use of these fuels in the Varsinais-Suomi region.

The result of the project is an implementation plan and mapping of how a research platform related to fuels can be implemented safely, and increased competence in the technology and safety of new fuels (higher education students, continuing education).

Uusikaupunki and Laitila as CO2-Free Operating Environments – Mapping to Initiate Actions

Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €25,102
Total estimated cost: €35,861
Implementation period: 1 December 2021–31 December 2022

The need for the project arises from Finland’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2035 and the first fossil-free welfare society (2019 Government Programme). This places a major role on municipal climate work, both in terms of municipalities’ own climate actions and those of their enterprises and residents. In the near future, municipalities must offer enterprises and residents a carbon-neutral operating environment and thereby support the goals of carbon neutrality and sustainable development.

To initiate CO2-free production areas in Uusikaupunki and Laitila, plans and a roadmap of measures are needed on how to achieve the goals. It is important to investigate what the region’s industries need and how they will respond to the region’s renewal needs.

Foresight Service Platform
Applicant: University of Turku
Funding granted: €79,683
Total estimated cost: €113,832
Implementation period: 1 August 2021–31 July 2022

To support sustainable growth and vitality of regions, a model is needed that broadly measures risk management and resilience, including resilience and risk indicator data as well as a browser-based foresight tool. The purpose of the project is to produce an expanding and updating resilience and risk indicator database serving business and the public sector, as well as a practical foresight tool.

Higher Education Institutions as Enhancers of Enterprise Competitiveness
Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €59,556
Total estimated cost: €85,080
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–30 April 2022

The various funding opportunities aimed at recovery from the coronavirus crisis that opened and will open for applications during 2021 offer, when properly used and targeted, extensive cooperation opportunities for higher education institutions and enterprises in the Varsinais-Suomi region.

The objectives are:

To establish RDI ecosystems in the Varsinais-Suomi region as co-development environments for enterprises, universities of applied sciences, and universities.
To ensure that regional recovery funding broadly supports RDI ecosystems established in the Varsinais-Suomi region as co-development environments for enterprises, universities of applied sciences, and universities.
To ensure that a significant share of the nationally available RRF funding is obtained for Varsinais-Suomi.
To ensure that all necessary regional expertise and competence from both higher education institutions and enterprises is included in the large-scale packages being prepared.
To ensure the commitment of all parties.
Municipal Digital Society and Post-COVID Readiness – Target State and Reality in Varsinais-Suomi
Applicant: University of Turku Brahea Centre
Funding granted: €39,618
Total estimated cost: €56,597
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–30 April 2022

The objective of the project is to promote the implementation of the Varsinais-Suomi regional recovery plan by ensuring the digital society readiness of the municipal sector. At the same time, insight is gained into post-COVID-19 readiness for actions essential to regional economic recovery and resilience. As background work for the project, an overall picture of municipal digital readiness was formed, and the accuracy of this first impression will now be refined. At the same time, issues that have not yet been advanced, known how to address, or understood to be taken into account will be brought into discussion. Including the promotion of competence and the need for support. In addition, good examples, places for development and experimentation, latent ideas and innovation, as well as pain points and bottlenecks will be identified.

From Needs to Products, TarTu
Applicant: University of Turku Brahea Centre
Funding granted: €34,867
Total estimated cost: €49,810
Implementation period: 1 September 2021–31 August 2022

The project focuses on revitalizing the activities of the region’s food network during and after the coronavirus with its own contribution. As its name suggests, the project seeks to find new partnerships and deepen direct, conversational cooperation through needs-based product development. The target group consists of private and public restaurants of all sizes operating in the region, as well as local food enterprises.

Attraction and Strength – Strengthening the Vitality and Attractiveness of Turku’s Commercial Centre
Applicant: Turku City Centre Association
Funding granted: €9,891
Total estimated cost: €14,130
Implementation period: 4 March–31 December 2021

The traditional strength of city centres, namely specialty retail, has faced challenges for some time, in Turku particularly due to centre renovations. The starting point is to support the business of centre entrepreneurs and strengthen the attractiveness of the centre. The intention is to launch a new website for the joint brand of Turku’s commercial centres and introduce a dedicated mobile card. In addition to these tools, networking and the opportunity to share good practices are also offered. Joint communication strengthens the attractiveness of the centre.

Virtual Studio Business Centre – Operating Model, Project Plan, and Engaging Networking
Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €50,904
Total estimated cost: €72,720
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–30 April 2022

In Varsinais-Suomi, a need has been identified across various sectors to utilize and adopt new virtual technology that enables faster and more competitive product development, serves internationally operating export enterprises, education and research, and offers event, entertainment, and film productions a comprehensive solution meeting international requirements, including for filming and producing visual effects. The Virtual Studio project directly addresses these needs with a virtual studio solution. The result of the project is an extensive project plan for establishing a virtual studio.

From Loneliness to Inclusion
Applicant: Tukenasi ry
Funding granted: €20,713
Total estimated cost: €29,760
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–28 February 2022

The purpose of the project is to promote opportunities for people of different ages experiencing loneliness to obtain social contacts promoting interaction and experiences of inclusion.

Objectives:

To reduce loneliness by increasing residents’ opportunities for active agency and encouraging individual residents and organizations to implement concrete acts reducing loneliness within their own resources.
To promote genuine forms of cooperation between different organizations that produce concrete means of preventing loneliness.
To support municipalities in work aimed at reducing loneliness by presenting already developed functional models and providing examples of how similar activities can be developed in one’s own municipality in cross-sectoral cooperation with different actors.
Co-working Space Ukin Solmu
Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €78,695
Total estimated cost: €112,421
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–30 September 2022

The Vakka-Suomi region lacks opportunities and solutions for the needs of remote workers or sole entrepreneurs to work in a communal environment. The project will map the needs of the region’s various business services (TE services, ELY, Tax, etc.), business stakeholders, enterprises, sole entrepreneurs, and those planning to become entrepreneurs. The project will plan various functions and the space concepts they require, develop service offerings, events, and activities in cooperation with advisory organizations and enterprises. Services developed in the project are planned to meet demand utilizing service design. The project will build revenue models for different concepts to provide a profitable basis for further development and permanent operations.

From Student to Owner
Applicant: Varsinais-Suomi Entrepreneurs
Funding granted: €43,106
Total estimated cost: €61,580
Implementation period: 1 May 2021–30 April 2022

81% of entrepreneurs over 55 estimate they will relinquish operational responsibility for their enterprise within the next five years. The objective of the project is to make purchasing an existing enterprise a viable alternative to establishing a new enterprise. One proposed solution to the challenge is the formation of Successor Schools in connection with secondary-level vocational institutions, where the departing entrepreneur and potential successor could meet and where specialized expertise in ownership transfers could be offered. Students are encouraged to become successors to existing enterprises and coached towards a successful business acquisition.

World Trade Centre International Scaler
Applicant: Turku Science Park Oy
Funding granted: €68,684
Total estimated cost: €98,120
Implementation period: 1 May 2021–30 April 2022

The objective of the project is to assist regional export enterprises in acquiring new international customers by piloting a new type of International Scaler operating model based on the previously proven “export ring” model. The model identifies groups of enterprises in the region’s key sectors that are ready to embark on a joint export effort. Enterprise groups are prepared for a joint export project by offering a PreScaler programme, where enterprise representatives get to know each other and create an implementation plan for the export project. The objective is also to develop cooperation between actors providing internationalization services in the region and enterprises to be more efficient and effective. As a result of the project, the WTC Turku International Scaler operating model and Pre Scaler programme have been piloted and documented for establishment as part of WTC Turku’s operations.

Health-Safe Maritime Cluster
Applicant: University of Turku
Funding granted: €67,955
Total estimated cost: €97,079
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–31 March 2022

In Varsinais-Suomi, the operations of maritime cluster enterprises have been hampered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary to prepare for similar situations and conditions in the future, and for this reason it is important to develop operating methods for enterprises that facilitate recovery from such market disruption situations. The objective of the project is to find, in cooperation with Varsinais-Suomi maritime cluster enterprises and education and research organizations, innovative and commercially viable health-safe operating methods, including space and material solutions. These will help target enterprises recover from the current and possible future pandemic-like market disruptions.

Ruissalo – The First Island
Applicant: Sylvi Salonen Oy
Funding granted: €27,832
Total estimated cost: €39,760
Implementation period: 1 April–30 September 2021

To highlight the area and support enterprises, the City of Turku has started funding an advertising campaign for summer 2021, “100 Reasons to Travel in Finland,” in cooperation with regional business operators. All Ruissalo operators are involved in the campaign. The objective of the project is to commit all Ruissalo operators to a cooperation model that enables continuation of cooperation after the campaign. The model is intended to incorporate a funding model that can sustain joint activities. The project will build a Ruissalo website that will remain active year-round and develop as a general presentation of Ruissalo.

Digikohtaus – Digital Encounters of International Enterprises
Applicant: SHIFT Ry
Funding granted: €29,792
Total estimated cost: €42,560
Implementation period: 1 April–30 September 2021

Due to travel restrictions, physical encounters are increasingly handled digitally. Trade fairs and various business events in particular have experienced a tremendous transformation over the past year and a half. International business events have been an effective channel for startup and growth-stage enterprises in particular to meet potential investors and customers. The objective of the project is to find more effective implementation methods to attract international visitors to digital events and increase international encounters for regional enterprises. Cooperation is conducted with the Startup Day event organized in Tartu, Estonia.

WIN WIN – Attractiveness Through Enterprise Cooperation
Applicant: City of Loimaa
Funding granted: €35,000
Total estimated cost: €50,000
Implementation period: 1 May 2021–31 December 2022

The project investigates solutions where an enterprise locating in the region can utilize local multidimensional expertise through a one-stop-shop principle. The objective is to model the piloted operating method as a replicable concept for use by smaller cities to promote the local economy. Based on the results of this experimental and development project, there may be a need to build a tailored digital and quality-assured network concept that is scalable to larger location environments and also to different sectors.

Digital Working Life Skills Training Package for Young People, Part 1
Applicant: Economy and Youth TAT
Funding granted: €69,541
Total estimated cost: €99,344
Implementation period: 1 May 2021–28 February 2022

The project’s innovation specifically addresses youth unemployment resulting from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which doubled in 2020, as well as recovery from the deteriorated employment situation. The plan includes rapid-impact measures, long-term measures, and the piloting, launch, and implementation of a new operating model. In addition, the project produces concrete tools, promotes better employment of young people, and thereby addresses the mismatch problem in youth employment in the region. An effective training package supporting youth employment will be built around the Duunikoutsi application.

Supporting the Resilience of Varsinais-Suomi Enterprises Against Maritime Logistics Disruptions
Applicant: University of Turku Centre for Maritime Studies
Funding granted: €37,836
Total estimated cost: €54,052
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–28 February 2022

The primary objective of the project is to improve enterprises’ preparedness for maritime logistics disruptions (particularly on the Turku/Naantali routes). Better preparedness supports business continuity in logistics disruption situations. A secondary objective is to improve the capacity of authorities to support the resilience of Varsinais-Suomi’s key industries in logistics disruptions. At the same time, the significance of the Archipelago Sea shipping lanes for Varsinais-Suomi’s key industries will be investigated/assessed, and those sections of the waterways for which situational awareness and preparedness need to be developed will be highlighted.

International Competitiveness Through Sustainable Tourism in the Turku Archipelago
Applicant: City of Pargas
Funding granted: €66,290
Total estimated cost: €94,701
Implementation period: 1 July 2021–30 June 2022

The objective of the project is to develop sustainable, responsible, and health-safe tourism in the Turku Archipelago region, in Pargas and Kimitoön. Sustainable and responsible tourism is being developed nationally by Visit Finland through the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) programme. Both Pargas and Kimitoön have enterprises that, through training and development work, can achieve sustainable tourism certification and become part of the STF programme in the future. The programme also has a destination level, which means that municipal tourism organizations or individuals are involved in the programme.

Occurrence and Biomass of Reed Beds in the Archipelago Sea
Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €66,500
Total estimated cost: €95,000
Implementation period: 1 June 2021–31 May 2023

According to research, the condition of water bodies can be permanently improved through regular harvesting of reed beds. The objective of the project is to remove bottlenecks to promote profitable reed business, so that reed beds come under regular and large-scale harvesting and biomass can be removed from the water body for beneficial use. One bottleneck is obtaining permits for the utilization of sufficiently large contiguous cutting areas. The opportunities for coastal entrepreneurs to initiate commercial utilization of reed beds will be improved by investigating available biomass and land and water area ownership rights. The project will develop and apply a method combining remote sensing and field observations to reliably estimate the amount of common reed biomass over large areas.

RekrySalo 2021–2023
Applicant: Yrityssalo Oy
Funding granted: €78,400
Total estimated cost: €112,000
Implementation period: 1 May 2021–30 April 2023

The digitalization of recruitment has been rapid, and the importance of digital channels and tools continues to grow. The project focuses on increasing the recruitment competence of micro and small enterprises, providing comprehensive guidance at all stages of the recruitment process, and encouraging the effective use of digital tools and services. In addition, the project focuses on various means of building employer image, as the significance of employer image is increasingly important in recruitment.

Archipelago Sea Impact Investment Concept
Applicant: Varsinais-Suomi Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Granted funding: €42,000
Total estimated cost: €60,000
Implementation period: 1 February 2022–31 December 2022

Solving key environmental challenges, such as biodiversity and climate change, requires systemic changes and enormous financial investments from societies. To achieve the objectives, it is essential to find new financing methods that enhance the effectiveness of public funds and are based on models that enable greater utilization of private investment capital in advancing the objectives.

The impact investment concept shifts the focus from the procurement of precisely defined outputs or actions to procurement or payments based on results and impacts. A financing model utilizing private capital can, at best, transform current environmental challenges, such as the poor ecological status of the Archipelago Sea, into investment opportunities that can enhance the use of tax revenues in solving environmental challenges.

MÅSSE – Microenterprises in Åboland in Cooperation for the Archipelago Sea and Impact
Applicant: Municipality of Kimitoön, co-implementer City of Pargas
Granted funding: €53,508
Total estimated cost: €76,440
Implementation period: 1 February 2022–31 March 2023

The objectives of the project are to highlight the role of local micro-enterprises and small enterprises in the work to improve the condition of the Archipelago Sea (enterprise focus), while establishing an organized approach to cooperation and concrete measures for the Archipelago Sea (the Archipelago Sea bio-region as a coordinating force). To make the work concrete, we want to create a toolbox containing concrete action proposals for Åboland enterprises to access (action plan/action box). Furthermore, we want to achieve a mutual agreement or “deal” on concrete measures for the Archipelago Sea, based on the toolbox for enterprises and the municipalities’ own environmental programmes.

Development of Raseko’s Machinery and Production Technology Customer Work
Applicant: Raseborg Region Educational Federation
Granted funding: €29,400
Total estimated cost: €42,000
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–30 June 2023

During the COVID pandemic, students experienced competence gaps because they were unable to develop their skills in working life through work placements as usual. This project develops Raseko’s learning environments in the field of machinery and production technology so that Raseko’s facilities enable student work to be carried out for enterprises and private individuals. These student projects meet working life requirements as closely as possible: they have a client with whom product quality and schedule have been agreed. These student projects enable the acquisition and demonstration of competence (assessments) in accordance with the vocational qualification requirements of the Machinery and Production Technology qualification.

The project addresses the correction of students’ competence gaps in the short term, and in the longer term enables students to transition more flexibly to enterprises for work placements or employment.

Culture and Experience Industry Growth Programme Planning Project
Applicant: Turku Science Park Ltd
Granted funding: €66,290
Total estimated cost: €94,700
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–31 December 2022

The culture and experience industry growth programme resulting from the project will create a new type of regional business and innovation services operating model in cooperation with regional actors. It supports the growth and internationalization of culture and experience industry enterprises. The growth programme begins by mapping the current state of business and innovation services, and corresponding services and programmes in Finland and Europe. The planning phase of the operating model includes target group definition, application criteria, analysis of growth barriers, planning of training packages, and securing future piloting and funding. The growth programme will involve both culture and experience industry enterprises and tech or other sector enterprises sought as their partners. Combining creative and technical expertise is an important task of the growth programme. The growth programme is international from the outset and its language is English. The growth programme also supports and strengthens the activities of Culture Campus Turku.

New Life for the Filter
Applicant: City of Turku / Turku Vocational Institute
Granted funding: €67,130
Total estimated cost: €95,900
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–28 February 2023

The project develops the circular economy and material competence of vocational students, particularly in the textile and fashion sector, through a new project-based learning model emphasizing product development and testing. The project develops and tests, together with Teva-Team Oy, the production and properties of ventilation filters for detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses made from technical recycled material. Particular attention is paid to the serviceability of filters made from recycled materials using washing equipment available in households (washing machines, steam washing machines, tumble dryers). Current filters are disposable, but the project aims to achieve filters with 30 uses using washable materials.

Varsinais-Suomi Battery Sector and Electrification Attractiveness and Communication (eVETO)
Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Granted funding: €61,600
Total estimated cost: €88,000
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–30 September 2022

The objective of the project is to increase the attractiveness of the region’s battery sector actors at the national level and to support the operating conditions and development of a rapidly growing industrial sector. The project also supports the electrification processes of small and medium-sized enterprises. The project will produce a comprehensive communication plan to increase awareness of the region among battery sector experts and actors as well as in educational institutions. The project will also produce a comprehensive plan focusing on influencer communication, which can prominently highlight the region’s expertise and attractiveness as a key battery sector competence and enterprise cluster.

UUTTERA – New Business from Energy Communities
Applicant: UUTTERA – New Business from Energy Communities
Granted funding: €52,234
Total estimated cost: €74,620
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–30 June 2023

The objective is to accelerate the energy transition in Varsinais-Suomi. During the project, a regional competence network of thermal energy enterprises will be created, the green transition of enterprises and the economic structure will be promoted, competence and training needs related to thermal energy storage will be investigated, and RDI knowledge will be disseminated for use by the region and enterprises. A cooperation model for residential properties will be created in the region to replicate energy community activities and to enhance guidance accelerating energy efficiency and heating system renovations in housing companies. The current state and information needs of the housing company stock will be mapped and relevant actors brought together.

VIVA – Virtual Hydrogen and Ammonia Research Platform
Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Granted funding: €58,800
Total estimated cost: €84,000
Implementation period: 1 January 2022–31 December 2022

The objective of the project is to investigate the technical boundary conditions and safety aspects of building a hydrogen and ammonia research platform, and to increase competence in the storage and use of these fuels in the Varsinais-Suomi region.

The result of the project is an implementation plan and mapping of how a research platform related to fuels can be implemented safely, and increased competence in the technology and safety of new fuels (higher education students, continuing education).

Uusikaupunki and Laitila CO2-Free Operating Environment – Survey to Initiate Measures
Applicant: Ukipolis Ltd
Granted funding: €25,102
Total estimated cost: €35,861
Implementation period: 1 December 2021–31 December 2022

The need for the project arises from Finland’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2035 and the first fossil-free welfare society (2019 Government Programme). This places a major role on municipal climate work, both in terms of municipalities’ own climate actions and those of their enterprises and residents. In the near future, municipalities must offer enterprises and residents a carbon-neutral operating environment and thereby support the goals of carbon neutrality and sustainable development.

To initiate CO2-free production areas in Uusikaupunki and Laitila, plans and a roadmap of measures are needed on how to achieve the goals. It is important to investigate what the region’s industries need and how they will respond to the region’s renewal needs.

Foresight service platform

Applicant: University of Turku
Funding granted: €79,683
Total estimated cost: €113,832
Implementation period: 1 August 2021–31 July 2022

To support sustainable growth and vitality of regions, a model is needed that broadly measures risk management and resilience, including resilience and risk indicator data as well as a browser-based foresight tool. The purpose of the project is to produce an expanding and updating resilience and risk indicator database serving business and the public sector, as well as a practical foresight tool.

Higher education institutions as enhancers of business competitiveness

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €59,556
Total estimated cost: €85,080
Implementation period: 1 April 2021–30 April 2022

The various funding opportunities aimed at recovery from the coronavirus crisis that opened and will open for applications during 2021 offer, when properly used and targeted, extensive cooperation opportunities for higher education institutions and enterprises in the Varsinais-Suomi region.

The objectives are:

• Establishes RDI ecosystems in the Varsinais-Suomi region as co-development environments for businesses, universities of applied sciences, and universities.
• Ensures that regional recovery funding broadly supports the establishment of RDI ecosystems in the Varsinais-Suomi region as co-development environments for businesses, universities of applied sciences, and universities.
• Ensures that a significant share of the nationally available RRF funding is secured for Varsinais-Suomi.
• Ensures that all necessary regional expertise and competence from both higher education institutions and businesses are included in the comprehensive packages being prepared.
• Ensures the commitment of all parties.

Municipal Digital Society and Post-COVID Readiness – Target State and Reality in Varsinais-Suomi

Applicant: University of Turku, Brahea Centre
Funding granted: €39,618
Total estimated cost: €56,597
Implementation period: 1 April 2021 – 30 April 2022

The project aims to promote the implementation of the Varsinais-Suomi regional recovery plan by ensuring the digital society readiness of municipalities. At the same time, it provides insight into post-COVID-19 readiness for measures critical to regional economic recovery and resilience. Background work for the project formed an overall picture of municipal digital readiness, and this initial impression will now be refined. At the same time, issues that have not yet been addressed, understood, or considered will be brought into discussion, including competence development and support needs. In addition, good examples, development and experimentation opportunities, latent ideas and innovation, as well as pain points and bottlenecks will be identified.

From Needs to Products, TarTu

Applicant: University of Turku, Brahea Centre
Funding granted: €34,867
Total estimated cost: €49,810
Implementation period: 1 September 2021 – 31 August 2022

The project focuses on revitalizing the regional food network’s operations during and after the pandemic with its own contribution. As its name suggests, the project seeks to find new partnerships and deepen direct, dialogue-based collaboration through needs-based product development. The target group consists of private and public restaurants of all sizes operating in the region, as well as local food businesses.

Appeal and Vitality – Strengthening the Vitality and Appeal of Turku’s Commercial Centre

Applicant: Turun Ydinkeskustayhdistys ry
Funding granted: €9,891
Total estimated cost: €14,130
Implementation period: 4 March – 31 December 2021

The traditional strength of city centres, namely specialty retail, has faced challenges for some time, particularly in Turku due to centre renovations. The starting point is to support the business operations of centre entrepreneurs and strengthen the centre’s appeal. The aim is to launch a new website for the joint brand of Turku’s commercial centres and introduce a dedicated mobile card. In addition to these tools, networking and the opportunity to share good practices will also be offered. Joint communication will strengthen the centre’s appeal.

Virtual Studio Business Centre – Operating Model, Project Plan, and Engaging Networking

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €50,904
Total estimated cost: €72,720
Implementation period: 1 April 2021 – 30 April 2022

Various sectors in Varsinais-Suomi have identified a need to utilize and adopt new virtual technology that enables faster and more competitive product development, serves internationally operating export companies, education and research, and offers event, entertainment, and film productions a comprehensive solution meeting international requirements for filming and producing visual effects. The Virtual Studio project directly addresses these needs with a virtual studio solution. The project will result in a comprehensive project plan for establishing a virtual studio.

From Loneliness to Inclusion

Applicant: Tukenasi ry
Funding granted: €20,713
Total estimated cost: €29,760
Implementation period: 1 April 2021 – 28 February 2022

The project aims to promote opportunities for people of different ages experiencing loneliness to gain social, interaction-promoting contacts and experiences of inclusion.

Objectives:

• Reduce loneliness by increasing residents’ opportunities for active participation and encouraging individual residents and organizations to implement concrete loneliness-reducing actions within their own resources.
• Promote genuine forms of collaboration between different organizations that produce concrete loneliness prevention measures.
• Support municipalities in their work to reduce loneliness by presenting already developed functional models and providing examples of how similar activities can be developed in one’s own municipality in cross-sectoral collaboration with various actors.

Co-working Space Ukin Solmu

Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €78,695
Total estimated cost: €112,421
Implementation period: 1 April 2021 – 30 September 2022

The Vakka-Suomi region lacks opportunities and solutions for remote work or the needs of solo entrepreneurs to work in a communal environment. The project will survey the needs of the region’s various business services (TE services, ELY, Tax, etc.), business stakeholders, companies, solo entrepreneurs, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The project will design various functions and their required space concepts, develop service offerings, events, and activities in collaboration with advisory organizations and companies. Services developed in the project will be designed to meet demand using service design. The project will build revenue models for different concepts to establish a profitable foundation for further development and permanent operations.

From Student to Owner

Applicant: Varsinais-Suomi Entrepreneurs Association
Funding granted: €43,106
Total estimated cost: €61,580
Implementation period: 1 May 2021 – 30 April 2022

81 percent of entrepreneurs over 55 estimate they will relinquish leadership of their business within the next five years. The project aims to make purchasing an existing business a viable alternative to starting a new one. One proposed solution to this challenge is establishing Successor Schools in connection with secondary-level vocational institutions, where retiring entrepreneurs and potential successors could meet and receive specialized expertise in ownership transfers. Students are encouraged to become successors to existing businesses and are coached toward successful business acquisitions.

World Trade Centre International Scaler

Applicant: Turku Science Park Oy
Funding granted: €68,684
Total estimated cost: €98,120
Implementation period: 1 May 2021 – 30 April 2022

The project aims to help regional export companies acquire new international customers by piloting a new type of International Scaler operating model based on the previously proven “export ring” model. The model identifies groups of companies in the region’s key sectors that are ready to embark on joint export efforts. Company groups are prepared for joint export projects by offering a PreScaler programme, where company representatives get to know each other and create an export project implementation plan. The aim is also to develop collaboration between the region’s internationalization service providers and companies to be more efficient and effective. As a result of the project, the WTC Turku International Scaler operating model and Pre Scaler programme will be piloted and documented for integration into WTC Turku’s operations.

Health-Safe Maritime Cluster

Applicant: University of Turku
Funding granted: €67,955
Total estimated cost: €97,079
Implementation period: 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022

In Varsinais-Suomi, the operations of maritime cluster companies have been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary to prepare for similar situations and conditions in the future, which is why it is important to develop operating methods for companies that help them survive such market disruptions. The project aims to find innovative and commercially viable health-safe operating methods, including spatial and material solutions, in collaboration between Varsinais-Suomi maritime cluster companies and education and research organizations. These will help target companies survive the current and possible future pandemic-like market disruptions.

Ruissalo – The First Island

Applicant: Sylvi Salonen Oy
Funding granted: €27,832
Total estimated cost: €39,760
Implementation period: 1 April – 30 September 2021

To promote the area and support businesses, the City of Turku has begun funding an advertising campaign for summer 2021, “100 Reasons to Travel in Finland,” in collaboration with regional business operators. The campaign includes all Ruissalo operators. The project’s goal is to engage all Ruissalo operators in a collaboration model that enables continued cooperation after the campaign. The model is intended to incorporate a funding model that can sustain joint activities. The project will build a Ruissalo website that will remain active year-round and evolve as a general presentation of Ruissalo.

Digikohtaus – International Business Meetings Digitally

Applicant: SHIFT Ry
Funding granted: €29,792
Total estimated cost: €42,560
Implementation period: 1 April – 30 September 2021

Due to travel restrictions, physical meetings are increasingly handled digitally. Trade fairs and various business events in particular have experienced tremendous transformation over the past year and a half. International business events have been an effective channel for startup and growth-stage companies to meet potential investors and customers. The project aims to find more effective implementation methods to attract international visitors to digital events and increase regional companies’ international meetings. Collaboration will be conducted with the Startup Day event held in Tartu, Estonia.

WIN WIN – Appeal Through Business Collaboration

Applicant: City of Loimaa
Funding granted: €35,000
Total estimated cost: €50,000
Implementation period: 1 May 2021 – 31 December 2022

The project explores solutions where a company locating in the region can utilize local multidimensional expertise through a one-stop-shop principle. The aim is to model the piloted operating method as a replicable concept for smaller cities to promote the local economy. Based on the results of this experimental and development project, there may be a need to build a tailored digital and quality-assured network concept that is scalable to larger location environments and across different sectors.

Digital Work-Life Skills Training Programme for Young People, Part 1

Applicant: Talous ja Nuoret TAT ry
Funding granted: €69,541
Total estimated cost: €99,344
Implementation period: 1 May 2021 – 28 February 2022

The project’s innovation specifically addresses youth unemployment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which doubled in 2020, and recovery from the deteriorated employment situation. The plan includes rapid-impact measures, long-term measures, and piloting, launching, and implementing a new operating model. In addition, the project produces concrete tools, promotes better youth employment, and thereby addresses the regional mismatch problem in youth employment. An effective training programme supporting youth employment will be built around the Duunikoutsi application.

Supporting the Resilience of Varsinais-Suomi Companies Against Maritime Logistics Disruptions

Applicant: University of Turku, Centre for Maritime Studies
Funding granted: €37,836
Total estimated cost: €54,052
Implementation period: 1 April 2021 – 28 February 2022

The project’s primary objective is to improve companies’ preparedness for maritime logistics disruptions (particularly on Turku/Naantali routes). Better preparedness supports business continuity in logistics disruption situations. A secondary objective is to improve the capabilities of authorities to support the resilience of Varsinais-Suomi’s key sectors in logistics disruptions. At the same time, the significance of the Archipelago Sea maritime routes to Varsinais-Suomi’s key sectors will be clarified/assessed, and those waterway sections for which situational awareness and preparedness need to be developed will be highlighted.

International Competitiveness Through Sustainable Tourism in the Turku Archipelago

Applicant: City of Pargas
Funding granted: €66,290
Total estimated cost: €94,701
Implementation period: 1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022

The project aims to develop sustainable, responsible, and health-safe tourism in the Turku Archipelago region, in Pargas and Kimitoön. Sustainable and responsible tourism is being developed nationally by Visit Finland through the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) programme. Both Pargas and Kimitoön have companies that, through training and development work, can achieve sustainable tourism certification and become part of the STF programme in the future. The programme also has a destination level, meaning that municipal tourism organizations or individuals participate in the programme.

Reed Occurrence and Biomass in the Archipelago Sea

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €66,500
Total estimated cost: €95,000
Implementation period: 1 June 2021 – 31 May 2023

According to research, the condition of water bodies can be permanently improved through regular reed harvesting. The project aims to remove bottlenecks in promoting profitable reed business so that reed beds come under regular and large-scale harvesting and biomass is removed from water bodies for beneficial use. One bottleneck is obtaining permits to utilize sufficiently large contiguous harvesting areas. Opportunities for coastal entrepreneurs to start commercial utilization of reed beds will be improved by clarifying available biomass and land and water area ownership rights. The project will develop and apply a method combining remote sensing and field observations to reliably estimate common reed biomass quantities over large areas.

RekrySalo 2021-2023

Applicant: Yrityssalo Oy
Funding granted: €78,400
Total estimated cost: €112,000
Implementation period: 1 May 2021 – 30 April 2023

The digitalization of recruitment has been rapid, and the importance of digital channels and tools continues to grow. The project focuses on increasing micro and small enterprises’ recruitment competence, providing comprehensive guidance at all stages of the recruitment process, and encouraging efficient use of digital tools and services. In addition, the project focuses on various methods of building employer image, as employer image is increasingly significant in recruitment.

Archipelago Sea Impact Investment Concept

Applicant: Varsinais-Suomi Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Funding granted: €42,000
Total estimated cost: €60,000
Implementation period: 1 February 2022 – 31 December 2022

Solving key environmental challenges, such as biodiversity and climate change, requires systemic changes and enormous financial investments from societies. To achieve these goals, it is essential to find new financing methods that enhance the effectiveness of public funds and are based on models that can utilize private investment capital to advance objectives more than currently.

The impact investment concept shifts the focus from procuring precisely defined outputs or actions to procurement or payments based on results and impacts. A financing model utilizing private capital can, at best, transform current environmental challenges, such as the poor ecological status of the Archipelago Sea, into investment opportunities that can enhance the use of tax revenues in solving environmental challenges.

MÅSSE – Microenterprises in Åboland in Collaboration for the Archipelago Sea and Effect

Applicant: Kimitoöns kommun, co-implementer Pargas Stad
Funding granted: €53,508
Total estimated cost: €76,440
Implementation period: 1 February 2022 – 31 March 2023

The project’s objectives are to highlight the role of local micro and small enterprises in improving the Archipelago Sea’s condition (business focus), while establishing an organized approach to collaboration and concrete measures for the Archipelago Sea (the Archipelago Sea bio-region as a coordinating force). To make the work concrete, we want to create a toolbox containing concrete action proposals for Åboland companies to utilize (action plan/action box). Furthermore, we want to achieve a mutual agreement or “deal” on concrete measures for the Archipelago Sea, based on the toolbox for companies and the municipalities’ own environmental programmes.

Development of Raseko’s Machinery and Production Technology Customer Work

Applicant: Raisio Region Educational Federation
Funding granted: €29,400
Total estimated cost: €42,000
Implementation period: 1 January 2022 – 30 June 2023

During the COVID pandemic, students experienced competence gaps because they could not participate in work placements as usual to develop their skills in working life. This project develops Raseko’s learning environments in the machinery and production technology education sector so that Raseko’s facilities enable student work for companies and private individuals. These student projects meet work-life requirements as closely as possible: they have a customer with whom product quality and schedule have been agreed. These student projects enable the acquisition and demonstration of competence (assessments) in accordance with the vocational qualification requirements in Machinery and Production Technology.

The project addresses students’ competence gaps on a short timeline and, in the longer term, enables students’ more flexible transition to companies for work placements or employment.

Culture and Experience Industry Growth Programme Planning Project

Applicant: Turku Science Park Oy
Funding granted: €66,290
Total estimated cost: €94,700
Implementation period: 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022

The culture and experience industry growth programme resulting from the project creates a new type of regional business and innovation services operating model in collaboration with regional actors. It supports the growth and internationalization of culture and experience industry companies. The growth programme begins by surveying the current state of business and innovation services, and comparable services and programmes in Finland and Europe. The operating model design phase includes target group definition, application criteria, analysis of growth barriers, design of training packages, and securing future piloting and funding. The growth programme will include both culture and experience industry companies and tech or other sector companies sought as their partners. Combining creative and technical expertise is an important task of the growth programme. The growth programme is international from the outset, and its language is English. The growth programme also supports and strengthens the operations of Kulttuurikampus Turku.

A New Life for Filters

Applicant: City of Turku / Turku Vocational Institute
Funding granted: €67,130
Total estimated cost: €95,900
Implementation period: 1 January 2022 – 28 February 2023

The project develops the circular economy and material competence of textile and fashion vocational students in particular through a new project-based learning model emphasizing product development and testing. The project develops and tests, together with Teva-Team Oy, the manufacture and properties of ventilation filters for detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses made from technical recycled material. Particular attention is paid to the serviceability of filters made from recycled materials using household washing equipment (washing machines, steam washing machines, tumble dryers). Current filters are disposable, but the project aims to achieve filters with 30 uses using washable materials.

Varsinais-Suomi Battery Sector and Electrification Appeal and Communication (eVETO)

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Funding granted: €61,600
Total estimated cost: €88,000
Implementation period: 1 January 2022 – 30 September 2022

The project aims to increase the appeal of the region’s battery sector actors at the national level and support the operating conditions and development of this rapidly growing industrial sector. The project also supports the electrification processes of small and medium-sized enterprises. The project will produce a comprehensive communication plan to increase the region’s visibility among battery sector experts and actors, as well as in educational institutions. The project will also produce a comprehensive plan focusing on stakeholder communication, which can prominently highlight the region’s expertise and attractiveness as a key battery sector competence and business cluster.

UUTTERA – New Business from Energy Communities

Applicant: UUTTERA – New Business from Energy Communities
Funding granted: €52,234
Total estimated cost: €74,620
Implementation period: 1 January 2022 – 30 June 2023

The aim is to accelerate the energy transition in Varsinais-Suomi. During the project, a regional thermal energy company competence network will be created, the green transition of companies and the business structure will be promoted, competence and training needs related to thermal energy storage will be clarified, and RDI knowledge will be disseminated for use by the region and companies. A collaboration model for residential properties will be created in the region to replicate energy community activities and intensify guidance to accelerate housing company energy efficiency and heating system renovations. The current state and information needs of the housing company stock will be surveyed, and relevant actors will be brought together.

VIVA – Virtual Hydrogen and Ammonia Research Platform

Applicant: Turku University of Applied Sciences
Funding granted: €58,800
Total estimated cost: €84,000
Implementation period: 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022

The project aims to clarify the technical prerequisites and safety aspects of building a hydrogen and ammonia research platform, and to increase competence in the storage and use of these fuels in the Varsinais-Suomi region.

The project will result in an implementation plan and survey of how a fuel-related research platform can be implemented safely, and increased competence in new fuel technology and safety (higher education students, continuing education).

Uusikaupunki and Laitila as CO2-Free Operating Environments – Survey to Initiate Actions

Applicant: Ukipolis Oy
Funding granted: €25,102
Total estimated cost: €35,861
Implementation period: 1 December 2021 – 31 December 2022

The project’s need arises from Finland’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2035 and the first fossil-free welfare society (2019 Government Programme). This sets a major role for municipal climate work, both for municipalities’ own climate actions and those of their businesses and residents. In the near future, municipalities must offer businesses and residents a carbon-neutral operating environment and thereby support goals for carbon neutrality and sustainable development.

To initiate CO2-free production areas in Uusikaupunki and Laitila, plans and a roadmap of measures are needed for how to achieve the goals. It is important to clarify what the regional industries need and how they will respond to the region’s renewal needs.