Sustainable development goals, ambitious climate targets and a sustainable grow thare the basis for our overall research and innovation activities in the region. These activities naturally call for resources, and therefore, resource wisdom is highlighted in our smart specialization strategy for Helsinki-Uusimaa.
To us, resource wisdom means using our innovation, economic, environmental and social resources in a deliberate way to create sustainable growth in the best possible way. In our prudent and proactive use of these resources we are consequently furthering well-being and sustainable development.
Smart City + Smart Countryside = Smart Region
Smart Specialisation is an innovation policy, enabling our region to recognize its own strengths and to emphasize them in efforts and investments. The umbrella theme for our activities is “Resource-wise Helsinki-Uusimaa”. In this way, we can fruitfully bring together our actors from both the cities and the countryside for impactful activities in research and innovation.
Smart specialisation is an increasingly influential concept and an essential part of European regional and structural policy. Funding is allocated to the spearheads of development activities, which are found in the smart specialisation strategy for our region.
With this innovation strategy, our region will keep its position as Europe’s leading innovation area, while also aiming to be among the best resource-wise regions.
Helsinki Smart Region promotes smart activities
The Helsinki Smart Region showcases the most innovative and interesting projects, companies and ideas in Helsinki-Uusimaa. It brings together various stakeholders such as business, cities, public sector, research, education centres, start-ups and the citizen. We call the international community to join us and to create smart innovations together.
Our aim is to increase the effects of the innovative potential found in the region and to create international partnerships and establish different forms of EU cooperation. The website is used to link new partners from all over Europe.
Find out more
Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Programme
The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Programme sets out our region’s vision for 2030 and outlines the development priorities, objectives and measures for 2022–2025. The vision is “Well Ahead”, and the Programme includes the key development guidelines and strategies from the global level to the municipal level.
For more information, please contact:
Venla Virkamäki
Innovation Manager
venla.virkamaki@uudenmaanliitto.fi
Development of R&I and international marketing, Strategy for smart specialisation, EU cooperation. Deputy for Director of Regional Development Eero Venäläinen.
Ida Honkanen
International Adviser
ida.honkanen@uudenmaanliitto.fi
Helsinki Smart Region, implementation of strategy for smart specialisation, international visits
Current
News
12.6.2025
Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council developing regional foresight together with European partners
The European project Strategic Foresight Partnership (SFP) aims at strengthening regional foresight competence and changing interregional foresight information and sharing best practices.
Blog
28.5.2025
Meet Aino: The First AI Native Generation in Helsinki-Uusimaa Region
Welcome to 2050. The world may look familiar, but beneath the surface, algorithms shape nearly every aspect of life. A new generation has grown with artificial intelligence (AI) as ordinary as electricity. This is the first truly AI-native generation raised in an 'algorithmic future,' a world where complex systems tailored to individual preferences guide decisions, deliver services, and influence relationships. In her blog post Senior Adviser Christine Chang considers how AI is shaping human behaviour, education, and daily life.
This page was last updated: 14.1.2025