Arctic Water Excellence

Water expertise has been recognized as one of the common strengths of Eastern and Northern Finland. This project aims to strengthen the coordinated regional specialization and profiled collaboration in the water sector. The project implements the choices of the joint smart specialization strategy of Eastern and Northern Finland (clean technologies and low-carbon solutions, ICT and digitalization, innovative technologies and production processes), which have been identified to have diverse expertise in the IP region. The choices of the common strategy provide the basis for new inter-regional cooperation, which the project proposal concretely implements. Through coordinated cooperation, a comprehensive development community/cluster will be formed, which:
A.) is capable of assisting in solving challenges in the water sector and problems caused by climate change, using means such as digitalization and the circular economy in a sustainable way for both environmental and economic development,
B.) is capable of creating conditions for the formation of new innovations and new business based on water expertise,
C.) supports the access of industry players to international markets as part of EU-level cluster cooperation.
The Kainuu subproject focuses on water management in the mining industry. The project is part of the CEMIS program. It is an inter-regional project led by North Savo. South Savo and Northern Ostrobothnia are participating along with Kainuu. Participants from Kainuu include KAMK, Oy Mity, and VTT.