Clusters Meet Regions Vaasa

The European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP), on behalf of the European Commission, in collaboration with Merinova, the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia and the University of Vaasa, is proud to organise the Clusters Meet Regions event in Vaasa, Finland.

This edition will focus on the role of clusters in advancing the green transition, technology innovation, and energy sector competitiveness, with a strong emphasis on collaboration between clusters, regional authorities, and businesses. The event will highlight Vaasa’s leadership in energy technology and sustainability and showcase how regional clusters drive industrial transformation, digitalisation, and clean energy solutions.

Vaasa is the Nordic capital of energy technology, and home to EnergyVaasa, a powerhouse cluster of 180+ companies, 13,000 employees, and a staggering 80% export rate.

What’s in store:

• Welcoming remarks with Joakim Strand (Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering), Minna Martikainen (Rector, University of Vaasa) and representatives from the European Commission
• Mats Brandt (Mayor, Regional Council of Ostrobothnia) setting the scene for the event
• Insights into European, national, and regional industrial strategies
• Three parallel workshops to co-create solutions:
  1️⃣ Cluster collaboration: increasing productivity through innovation in manufacturing industries
  2️⃣ Vaasa climate commitment: How to accelerate place-based collaboration for a clean and sustainable transition
  3️⃣ Best practices to master industry-university co-operation in RDI projects
• Networking opportunities, including a cocktail & arcade evening
• Panel discussion exploring how clusters can build resilience and renewal capabilities
  
  Site visits include Technobothnia laboratories and Wärtsilä’s Sustainable Technology Hub.