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Smart Regions 2.0 Conference: European regions in search of growth based on regional strengths

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Publication date 31.5.2017 12.28 | Published in English on 31.5.2017 at 12.39
Press release

The Smart Regions 2.0 Conference on innovation policy, arranged by the European Commission and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, will be held on 1–2 June at Messukeskus Expo and Convention Centre in Helsinki. The conference will bring together 850 entrepreneurs, innovators and public officials from across Europe.

The event provides a networking opportunity for players and funding bodies in the field of smart specialisation, and an opportunity for them to establish partnerships in, for instance, the energy sector, digitalisation and the maritime industry. The conference will focus on new perspectives on creating growth and jobs in Europe. Smart specialisation is a key theme of the European Union's cohesion policy, and the Commission will issue a new communication on this at the event.

Smart specialisation is a regional innovation policy concept that encourages countries and regions to identify and focus on their strengths and to allocate resources and investment for these in the future. The EU Structural Funds programmes for 2014–2020 are based on the smart specialisation concept, and smart specialisation is also emphasised in the EU’s Horizon 2020 research programme.

Speaking at the opening of the conference on 1 June, starting at 9.00, will be Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu, Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä and President of the European Committee of the Regions Markku Markkula. Live streaming of the event can be followed here.

 Conference website

 The Smart Regions 2.0 Conference is a Finland 100 event.

Inquiries:
Kaisa-Leena Lintilä, Director for Regional Development, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 5064 935