INNOCAP Partnership meets in Mikkeli, Finland

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Project partners came together to review progress, discuss challenges, and plan the next steps in the implementation of INNOCAP’s four pilot services

14 April 2025 - INNOCAP project

ERNACT led INNOCAP partnership held its sixth in-person meeting on 8–9 April 2025 in Mikkeli, Finland. The event was hosted by Ruralia Institute of University of Helsinki and brought together project partners from across the Northern Periphery and Arctic region.

Over two days, project partners came together to review progress, discuss challenges, and plan the next steps in the implementation of INNOCAP’s four pilot services.

Day 1: Partnership Meeting
On the first day, project partners presented updates on key activities, shared insights from their regions, and reviewed the status of the pilot services. At this stage, most of the services are almost finalised what allowed partners to present the real solutions developed:

Building a digital innovation platform, Västernorrland, Sweden – A digital innovation platform to empower municipal employees Örnsköldsvik municipality to develop, share, and grow ideas that address work-related, societal, and efficiency challenges. Key components include innovation coaches trained in service design and innovation methods, as well as digital coaches skilled in disruptive technologies like VR and AI-assisted chatbots.
Waste Data Hub, South Iceland – A "Waste Data Hub" is nearing completion to help municipalities track, manage, and reduce waste, aligned with EU goals. Initial rollout includes data from three municipalities.
Social innovation led service for decision-making on digital and green transition, South Savo, Finland – This service is aimed to compare progression and geographical location of green transitions: what is happening in green transition and where it happens in South Savo region, Finland. This is illustrated on a map by using open access geospatial data describing 21 commonly used green transition indicators. An AI assistant (launching soon) will provide insights for local decision-making.
Climate change action monitoring, Donegal, Ireland – This service is aimed at installing and testing the use of Internet of Things water level sensors in a catchment in rural upland West Donegal. The sensors will be used to monitor and quantify the reaction of the rivers to weather related rain events. The goal is to create a baseline level of information of current conditions, and subsequently as part of the Climate Action Plan mitigation measures, to develop a nature based solution (NBS) to water runoff management and monitor through the sensor network any quantifiable changes to runoff behaviour as a result of the NBS.

The discussions also addressed themes such as stakeholder engagement, data integration, and long-term sustainability of the solutions.

Day 2: Field Visit to EcoSairila
On the second day, project partners visited EcoSairila, Mikkeli’s eco-industrial development area. EcoSairila serves as a regional hub for circular economy solutions and water treatment technologies. It brings together a unique mix of businesses, public authorities, research institutions, and educational organisations to foster innovation and collaboration.

The visit included a guided tour of the facilities, including the biogas generation plant and its control station. Partners had the opportunity to explore real-world applications of circular economy principles and learn from local best practices in sustainable resource management.

Click here to email Maixa Zabaleta at ERNACT for further information

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