Developing the ICT Sector in Central Ostrobothnia

The ICT sector in Central Ostrobothnia is a significant employer and growth industry that also has a broad impact on the development of other sectors. Digitalisation is an essential factor in strengthening companies’ competitiveness and promoting the green transition. The region’s vibrant sector providing digitalisation-related services supports many other industries, and digitalisation is a cross-cutting theme in nearly all regional strategies.

The Developing the ICT Sector in Central Ostrobothnia project seeks to address the sector’s key development needs. The project explores how the region can strengthen an operating environment that encourages entrepreneurship, attracts ICT professionals and supports the transformation of innovations into commercially viable solutions. The project is implemented in close cooperation with ICT companies in the region, with strong involvement from other RDI and educational organisations.

The project is co-funded by the European Union.

Objectives

The project supports the growth and sustainable development of the regional ICT sector. At the same time, it promotes the emergence of new innovations and enhances skills that benefit both working life and the region’s overall competitiveness.

The main objectives are:

1. Improving the operating conditions of the ICT sector

2. Strengthening cooperation and networking

3. Developing ICT-related RDI activities

4. Aligning education more closely with labour market needs

5. Promoting sustainable and responsible ICT

Activities

The project maps the current state and development needs of the ICT sector in Central Ostrobothnia in close collaboration with regional companies through workshops and interviews. The activities focus on four areas:

• Operating conditions: identifying what support ICT companies need from different actors and how growth can best be accelerated.

• RDI activities: assessing companies’ capacity and interest in research, development and innovation activities, and identifying shared project ideas.

• Networking: identifying companies’ needs for collaboration and developing effective cooperation models together.

• Sustainable ICT: analysing how sustainable ICT is currently addressed in the region and how companies can integrate it more effectively into their operations.

In addition, a comprehensive overview of the ICT sector in Central Ostrobothnia will be produced, covering its role in regional development, business landscape, skills needs, educational provision, competence centres and networks. This will provide a foundation for understanding the strengths, challenges, opportunities and threats facing the sector.

Results

The project will generate new knowledge, networks and practical tools for developing the ICT sector in the region. The outcomes include comprehensive reports describing the current state of the sector, company needs, the status of sustainable ICT and future opportunities. This knowledge will help companies to improve their operations and lay the groundwork for new investments and business growth.

New forms of collaboration and networking will be established, strengthening partnerships between companies, educational institutions, research organisations and the public sector. ICT education will be developed to better meet the current and future needs of companies, and research organisations will gain valuable insights into companies’ RDI interests and priorities.

At the same time, the project will increase awareness of sustainable ICT and provide companies with knowledge and tools for developing responsible solutions.