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In Finnish innovation system regional authorities, i.e. regional councils, are responsible for building regional innovation strategies. The Regional Council of Satakunta has together with region’s stakeholders formed a future vision based on smart, inclusive and sustainable growth through pure vitality and people-oriented solutions. Satakunta's smart specialisation strategy is based on the existing regional expertise, and process of the Satakunta regional program is tightly connected to the smart specialisation approach (RIS3). As a funding authority, Regional Council of Satakunta also coordinates the implementation of S3 –themes and creates synergy between f.ex. ERDF and ESF projects. Region’s strategy is implemented by expert organizations, educational institutions and business developers.
”Aim is to enhance the organisational capacities of innovation intermediaries to utilize the RIS3 and also strengthen regional and international collaboration, support development of research infrastructures and the development of new innovative ideas, support development of new companies, renewal of industries and shared vision for the region future”, explains Director of Regional Development Mrs. Katja Laitinen from Regional Council of Satakunta.
Regional business support company Prizztech works as an innovation intermediary, bringing together companies, SMEs, public sector actors and other innovation actors. As an impartial non-profit organization, Prizztech shares best practices and experiences among regional innovation networks. Evaluation and continuous improvement are important elements of regional innovation work, and Prizztech also provides feedback for companies and regional authorities concerning RIS3 activity. Another important task is to promote regional RIS3 work at a national level.
Altough Regional Council of Satakunta and Prizztech have different roles in the regional innovation system their also have clear mutual interests. Both organisations are deeply committed in promoting the positive development of the Satakunta region and have over the years found ways to effectively align their interests for that purpose. When preparing or implementing new development project Prizztech always reflects the aims of the project to the goals of the Satakunta's smart specialisation strategy.
”There is also very low threshold for contacting the personnel of the Regional Council of Satakunta. This works both ways, as Prizztech is always ready to share it’s knowledge, insights and networks in order to foster the regional innovation policy”, says Advisor Sami Leppimäki from Prizztech.
All in all, the cooperation between strategy owner and implementor is in very stable common ground in Satakunta region.    

   
Compiled by: Sami Leppimäki, Prizztech 20.12.2019
Caption under the picture: Annual Match Industry event organized by Prizztech in cooperation with Regional Council of Satakunta is a networking forum for companies and stakeholders.