Minister Lintilä: Roadmap encourages companies to invest in research, development and innovation in Finland

At its meeting on 21 April 2020, the Ministerial Working Group on Competence, Education, Culture and Innovation adopted a National Roadmap for Research, Development and Innovation (RDI). The Roadmap paves the way for sustainable growth and wellbeing in the 2030s based on knowledge, education, research and innovation.

“The Roadmap aims to create an environment that encourages both Finnish and foreign companies to invest in RDI activities in Finland. Finland must maintain its lead in new information generation, and in technological development and application,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.

New partnership model creates a framework for cooperation between the research community, the business community and other RDI actors

The roadmap features three strategic development themes: competence, a new partnership model and an innovative public sector. For companies, the new partnership model is essential

because it will speed up and intensify cooperation between the public and private sectors. It creates larger packages of national programme funding, and builds stronger links between the supported activities and the sources of EU and other international funding.

“The purpose of the new partnership model is to build stronger long-term cooperation between companies and research organisations, thereby allowing them to more efficiently tap into the expertise available, both in companies and more broadly in society. This will provide a foundation for business growth and renewal,” Minister Lintilä explains.

Focus on solutions to global challenges

The Roadmap for RDI emphasises that Finland must seize the opportunities provided by global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development, and offer solutions to them. Finnish actors must be prepared to make use of European and other international R&D funding, both in Europe and more broadly.

The roadmap was prepared in cooperation between the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Education and Culture, in consultation with other ministries and RDI stakeholders.

Inquiries:

Jenny Hasu, Special Adviser to the Minister of Economic Affairs, tel. +358 29 504 7213
Mikko Huuskonen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 506 3732
Erja Heikkinen, Director, Ministry of Education and Culture, tel. +358 29 533 0101