EUREGIO STRATEGY FRAMEWORK 2007 – 2009

1. MISSION

The mission of the Euregio is to enhance balanced cross-border integration and to further the creation of Uusimaa-Harjumaa twin-region.

Euregio aims to be an active stakeholder to support and to promote inter-regional development and competitiveness, based on complementary strengths and common innovative and creative cultural environment, being a cross-border, triple helix driven tool, aiming to strengthen the regional knowledge based economic development

The gradual development of an integrated cross-border region is based on the principle that both parts gain from intensified connections and cooperation, and that balanced interdependence of the regional economies makes the two Capital Regions together stronger and more visible than alone.

2. HISTORY, OPERATING ENVIRONMENT and ROLE

History

The first cooperation agreement between Helsinki, Tallinn, Uusimaa Regional Council, Harju County and the Union of Harju County Municipalities was signed June 22,1999.

It was noted that the course of future events requires more diversified co-operation in terms of both local and regional policy framework and making the region visible in the European and global arenas. The purpose was to develop co-operation across national, sectoral and administrative borders in the region. The main objective of the Euregio was to be a gateway and an umbrella for planning and implementing regional development projects, as well as to co-ordinate local and regional activities.

In 2000-2002, the main goal was Estonia’s EU-membership and the application process which created many needs and possibilities of co-operation. Creating effective urban governance and stronger administrative capacities were the key tasks of municipalities in preparing for EU-membership.

As Euregio was registered as a non-profit association in December 2003, in 2003-2005. much time was devoted to organisational matters and structural adjustments within the organisation during 2003 and 2004.

During that period Euregio’s most visible activities included development of the Science Twin-City concept.

The strategy of 2005-2007 included Euregio’s role as predominantly an information exchange and networking organisation for the partners, and also for other actors of the twin-region. The association’s role was a mediator and facilitator of co-operation projects.

Operating environment

The operating environment of Euregio is characterized largely by the same challenges as Europe in general. The conditions for entrepreneurship and production, the balance within the labour market and the challenges that arise with the ageing of the population are some of the most acute threats.

Characteristic of both Finland and Estonia is the increasing concentration of population in the capital areas. The problems include population ageing, lack of workforce (especially in rural areas), brain drain, and low density of people in rural areas. Traffic levels across the Gulf of Finland have shown a strong increase both in terms of passenger numbers and cargo tonnage since the 1990’s. The level of accessibility between Helsinki and Tallinn, and the consequent passenger volumes thus are quite extraordinary characteristics of the area. The state of the Baltic Sea, in particular its degradation, is a matter of high concern. The shared marine environment, the Gulf of Finland, is one of the most eutrophied sub-regions of the Baltic Sea. A current concern include the environmental risks presented by economic activities such as heavy traffic, maritime accidents, gas pipe, chemicals, oil transport, emission of sea traffic and effects of climate change.

At the same time there is potential for knowledge-based economy, science and knowledge transfer, well-developed telecommunication sector, and innovativeness as there is a large number of R&D institutions and universities in the region. Co-operation between universities and R&D units, including more investments in research and development and strengthening co-operation between universities, educational institutions and enterprises, business clusters and improving the exchange of knowledge and experience as well as neighbourhood with Russia (especially St. Petersburg) are our common opportunities.

Starting from 2007, new structural funds period foresees within European Territorial Co-operation a new cross-border region – the Central Baltic region sub-program with the priorities safe and healthy environment, economic competitiveness and innovative region and good living conditions. It creates a functional framework for the Euregio co-operation for the next strategy period 2007-2009.

Role

Founded by the five main stakeholders of the Capital regions – City of Helsinki, City of Tallinn, Uusimaa Regional Council, Union of Harju County Municipalities and Republic of Estonia, represented by Harju County Government –

The Helsinki-Tallinn Euregio’s role is to promote co-operation inside the region and enhance regional integration by:

being a cross-border, triple helix driven tool;

aiming to strengthen the cross-border regional knowledge based economic and political development;

development of a united multi-cluster innovation region of high competitiveness.

Euregio is:

A political discussion forum

A partner for cross-border and inter-regional cooperation projects and networks

A forum for experience sharing

A mediator in the dissemination of know-how and information

Active partner in promoting of regional competencies

Through its activities Euregio attempts to

Stimulate creating and sharing of the new knowledge and knowledge on knowledge

Increase effectiveness in the triple helix context

Improve regional attractiveness

3. PRIORITIES AND ACTIVITIES

3.1. Sustainable regional planning

The objective of the priority is to contribute to the development of sustainable region in the context of regional and city planning, waste management and recycling and energy saving.

Actions:

- Support Tallinn’ initiative on European Green Capital

- Preparations for the Helsinki-Tallinn City planned for 2012

- Environmental awareness-raising actions

- Participation in the Baltic Euroregions Network’s strategy group and project

3. 2. Creation of common business environment

The objective of this priority is innovative and flexible economy in a borderless region with common well-functioning labour market. The priority concentrates on regional competitiveness including mutually beneficial environment and mutual access for businesses and investments, initiating cooperation with common industrial base in Helsinki and Tallinn.

The next level would be branding and profiling of the region and common marketing of the products with common industrial base in triple helix cooperation. A crucial issue is the facilitation of business contacts by cooperating with technology parks and business promotion programmes, clustering and branding, promoting innovative and competitive environment.

Trans-national co-operation possibilities on new business models (types of business, e.g. e-commerce, new types of value creation by using new technologies) and KIBS/KISA could be investigated, as these services constitute an intermediating sector between research and industry, acting as sources, carriers and facilitators of innovation. The sectors in special focus could include design and media.

Actions:

- establish permanent contacts between the departments of Economic development in Helsinki and Tallinn and Helsinki Metropolitan Region’s Marketing Office;

- for developing Helsinki-Tallinn as the top twin-region in mobile technology – forming a strategy group for developing the services;

- joint branding initiatives;

- participate in the research on functional cooperation in the twin-region Helsinki-Tallinn

- organize workshops between companies and other players from Center of Expertise for Digital Media and Content Production or Brokerage event for Centres of Expertise leaders;

- brokerage event for cluster developers

- Together with Enterprise Estonia:

- launch a campaign to Finnish investors in technology areas;

- produce a publication to Finnish companies to introduce Estonian investment environment;

- produce a research to Estonian enterprises introducing Finnish entrepreneurship, taxing and employment regulations;

- a familiarization visit to Finnish economic journalists to Estonia and vice versa;

- participating in Culture festival Arts and Lights in Tallinn, 21.-23.09.2007 on creative industries with introducing a special event

3.3. Promotion of human resources

3.3.1. Development of Twin-region of arts and sciences via knowledge arena

The objectives of this priority is a Twin city of arts and sciences (Knowledge Arena) based on mutual understanding of developing a knowledge-based twin-region as well as comprehension of the societies that the role of cities is crucial in social and economic well-being of the region as a whole. This underlines the need for strong high level political commitment and involvement of the mayors of the capitals and the surrounding municipalities. In promotion and pooling of human resources between regions, the involvement of universities and other higher education institutions, research institutes, as well as the business sector is crucial.

The areas of co-operation include art, design and media; urban research and service on well-being. In Euregio’s priorities and activities there is a linkage to the Finnish “Centre of Expertise” programme and Euregio shall facilitate the development of transnational clusters of expertise.

3.3.2. Skills development for sustainable communities

The objective is a balanced region with capable human capital, where it is easy and attractive to live, work and study. The integration of the region is a way of facilitating growth and welfare on both sides of the Gulf, joining the forces and promoting best practices through exchange of workers, incubator places, promoting the idea of joint universities.

Actions:

- Wellness for Seniors” seminar with Culminatum and Laurea in Espoo

- Seminar on functional food

- Masters of Arts Festival;

- „Finnish-Estonian seminar on Digital Media”

and „Finnish-Estonian seminar and workshop on Design”.

- City as a Stage: urban environment – Knowledge Arena Forum

- Urban research seminar in Helsinki: living labs and service delivery, Arabiaranta experience

4. MEASURES

- Euregio Forum, promoting the dialogue between political decision makers, is considered as the most important event for Euregio that is taking place every 1.5 years, one year in Helsinki and next time in Tallinn. Knowledge Arena Forum is considered as the second important event for the organisation.

- The measures for implementing the strategy include networking, information exchange, triple-helix round tables, workshops, seminars, conferences and projects and fora;

- Facilitation of common contacts and projects between the municipalities, universities and research institutes, and the business sector;

- Coordinating strategic activities between universities, research institutions and municipalities, sharing databases, exchange of best practices;

- Exchanges of personnel, trainings, research related activities;

- Introduce business opportunities in both countries (legislation, taxing, and business culture) and enhance personal contacts between enterprises and organisations;

Active participation in joint activities between embassies, culture, business and research organisations like Tuglas seura, Estonian Embassy, Culminatum, Enterprise Estonia, Estonina Institute, SVYL, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the capital cities;

Presentations, articles, interviews on local and international arenas;

- Domestic Partnerships like cooperation with Tartu and Oulu should be considered as value adding relationships.

- Active participating in BEN, Innovation Alliance and Baltic Development Forum events

- Organisations with similar objectives should be considered with possible partners.

5. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:

Cooperation with euroregions (BEN) and Innovation Alliance in the Baltic Sea arena allows benchmarking with other regions, knowledge exchange, common marketing and systematic dialogue with stakeholders and with national governments;

Baltic Central Programme and related programmes as well as related projects such as BaltMetInno project should be taken into account when planning Euregio activities, to avoid overlapping and to join the forces for better use of resources;

St. Petersburg is and will be a main player in the Gulf of Finland co-operation area, which we have to recognize in planning the activities for Euregio. The future activities should include cooperation with St. Petersburg.