Speed Sparring of the Municipal Strategy for Liminka Client: Municipality of Liminka

References of MDI (updated 7th March 2017)

Speed sparring of the municipal strategy for Liminka Client: Municipality of Liminka

Liminka is a 2000’s growth miracle. Next to the city of Oulu, the municipality of Liminka still has a 2 % annual growth. MDI sparred the municipal council and chief officials in the strategy seminar 1st March 2017. The agenda consisted of evaluating the current municipal strategy, further developing the value and vision basis and municipal tasks in the future.

Strategy Process Client: City of Kokkola

The city of Kokkola is renewing its strategy while preparing 400-year anniversary in 2020. Kokkola has chosen MDI to support the city in preparing the strategy. MDI is responsible for planning and conducting the strategy process, making a proposal for the structure of the strategy document and drafting a written con- clusion of the process. MDI also helps the process by facilitating workshops. The strategy work is conducted in cooperation with the city personnel, councillors, inhabitants and various stakeholders. The strategy is due in September 2017.

Planning the approach for vitality policies in Jyväskylä Client: City of Jyväskylä

In the future, ensuring the vitality will be one of the main tasks for Finnish cities. A successful city is appeal- ing and attracting. The city as a whole is responsible for the vitality policy. However, the city itself only has a limited power to affect the vitality factors. Hence the activities of local companies, universities and citizens are utterly important. The current business-led vitality policy model in Jyväskylä doesn’t meet the needs of the changing environment. MDI made a proposal of reorganizing the policy for the city of Jyväsky- lä. The proposal also introduces new forms of greater involvement (e.g. sparring forums). The work was due in Autumn 2016.

Creating a Regional Development Snapshot Tool to support the Regional Government Reform Client: Prime Minister's Office

MDI leads a consortium that during 2017 constructs a Regional Development Snapshot Tool, which combines the most functional user-driven data production models that the state and the regions use in decision-making. The aim is to select the most important quantitative and qualitative indicators, which provide quick and up to date information about regional development in the regions. The aim is to select evidence- based indicators that are so called rapid and sensitive variables. These variables are essential in identifying the specific features of changes in the regional economy and development. The Snapshot Tool is connected to the regional reform and thus to the regional development system. The Tool will be tested in autumn 2017 when the provisional county institutions will start their operations.

Participation in the analysis of municipalities’ statutory tasks Client: Prime Minister's Office

The statutory duties of municipalities will change due to health, social services and regional government reform. The analysis will focus on those statutory duties regarding which municipalities most commonly expand the content and the level of service due to own decisions. The aim is also to produce comprehensive quantitative and qualitative data and an analysis of the situation of each chosen municipality with re- gard to the selected statement of tasks and services. The study also produces an updated estimate of the relationship between local government and counties after reforms. The study aims at producing benefits to national and municipal decision-making. The lead partner in the study is Perlacon Ltd. MDI conducts the municipality survey and participates in formulating of the conclusions. The work is due in September 2017.

Supporting the Health, Social Services and Regional Government Reform Client: Prime Minister’s Office

Health, social services and regional government reform is one of the biggest ever administrative and opera- tional overhauls in Finland. The aim is to transfer the organisation of healthcare and social services and other regional services to counties. In 2017-2018 MDI has the honour of researching the implementation of the reform in three projects (part of Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities) with our partners NHG Consulting, Frisky & Anjoy and Tempo Economics. MDI is in lead of two of the three projects: SMUUTO that focuses on assessing the implementation of the reform (e.g. best practices and critical points) and SOMAYRTTI that studies the collaboration structures, interfaces and operating models. NHG Consulting leads the third project, MOHJU that focuses on steering models between different actors. All the projects aim at collecting and analysing current data for supporting the reform and sparring the actors. MDI is responsible of the regional government reform part and engaging data collection. SOMAYRTTI project is due in the end of 2017, MOHJU in March 2018 and SMUUTO in the end of 2018.

1 Evaluation and Action Research of Regional Experiments in Employment and Business Services Client: Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Sipilä’s government aims at lifting Finnish economy on the track of sustainable growth and improving employment. As a significant part of the Government Programme, regional experiments will be carried out during years 2017 and 2018 focusing on employment and economic development services. Dur- ing the experiments, organisation of duties will be transferred to municipalities of joint co-operation regions i.e. counties. Regional experiments aim at designing services that are customer-oriented, improve employment rate and decrease unemployment at the same time. A total of nine regions have been selected to take part in the experiments based on applications (41 applicants), three of which are being counties and six municipality-based regions. MDI takes part in the research consortium lead by Demos Helsinki. MDI is responsible for evaluating the impact, operation models and applicability of experiments as well as providing regions with peer support and sparring. Common Dialogues is the third member in the consortium. The research will be carried out by the end of 2018.

Roadmap for Urbanization III Clients: Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT (CFCI), Building Information Group, Finnish Construction Trade Union, Hypo Bank, The Finnish Association of Consulting Firms SKOL, cities of Heinola, Järvenpää, Kokkolan ja Uusikaupunki, Regional Council of Häme

The ongoing reforms in health and social services and regional government structures challenge the cities with 20 000 to 50 000 inhabitants. In order to clarify the current state and status of the little and middle- sized cities MDI draws a Roadmap for Urbanization III, which highlights the potential of smaller cities. The aim of the study is to sharpen the spears of business policies and brands. In addition, the work aims at creating new models for urban politics. The roadmap is due in March 2017.

Business plan for the Metropolia Campus in Myllypuro Client: Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

MDI helps Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in drafting the local business plan for Metropolia Campus in Myllypuro region. The aim is to maximize the positive business effects of the upcoming Campus in Myllypuro Region, and in Eastern Helsinki Region. The business plan will also function as a partnership strategy. Local actors, especially entreprises, civil society organizations, inhabitants and city play a significant role in creating added value in the region. The work is due in February 2017.

Evaluation of Structural Funds Programme 2014-2020 Client: Ministry of Employment and the Economy

Consortium lead by MDI has been appointed to evaluate the Structural Funds Programme in Finland. In addition to MDI, the consortium consists of Spatia Centre for Regional Research at the University of Eastern Finland, TK-Eval, and The Rehabilitation Foundation. The evaluation kicks of at the end of this year and runs until the summer of 2019.

Evaluation of the provision of advice in the Rural Development Programme Client: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Provision of Advice has been launched as a new activity under the Rural Development Programme for this programming period. The main objective for the provision of advice is to improve the modernisation and competitiveness of farms as well as further support the advising of environmental issues. MDI has been appointed as an evaluator to study the implementation, results, and preliminary impacts of the provision of advice uner the Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland 2014–2020. The work includes annual analyses and the work will be completed in the spring of 2019. Ms. Sari Rannanpää from Avaintaito cooper- ative strengthens MDI’s team in the evaluation work.

2 Profiling Southern Finland’s Development Corridors Client: Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council

The development of the regions is channelled more and more towards development corridors crossing administrative borders. The region of Helsinki-Uusimaa (Finlands capital region) is preparing the launch of a new comprehensive regional plan, and a key part of this preparatory work is prioritising focus areas of development on regional structure and on main transport networks. This work is supported by profiling work of Southern Finland’s development corridors conducted by the MDI. The work contains a summary of the Southern Finland’s development corridor analyses, an online survey and four workshops along corridors (1.12. Tampere, 2.12. Turku, 8.12. Kotka and 15.12. Lahti). Our partner in the visualisation of results is Nitro ID. The work will be completed in February 2017 and results were presented at the final seminar in Helsinki on 18th January 2017.

Joint Export Models for Kantola Woodworking Industry Client: Woodpolis MDI, together with Casagrande Laboratory Center of Urban Research mapped potential export models for woodworking industry. During the autumn 2016 MDI interviewed enterprises and experts on different joint export models. Their input was assessed in a workshop, Export Club, held in Kuhmo in 25th October 2016. The agenda included introducing a service arch that combines the needs of buyer and seller, assessing different joint export models and drawing a roadmap for the most suitable models. The roadmap and conclusions were due in November 2016.

Sparring Small and Medium-Sized Cities Client: Suupohja Business Enterprise Federation of Municipalities SEK

MDI facilitates two networking meetings of SEUTU programme (REGIONAL programme in English), which has been launched to develop these cities. In the meetings, MDI spars launching and developing pilot projects, in between the meetings, sparring takes place via Trello platform. Pilot projects will cover following themes: virtual circulation economic fairs, activity tourism internationalisation and growth model for small scale enterprises. The first network meeting will be held from 16th to 17th November in the city of Forssa, and the second meeting in the spring of 2017. In addition, MDI spars SEUTU programme in the preparation of a communication plan and in the implementation of communication. Half of the costs of SEUTU programme are covered by 23 cities participating in the programme and the other half by the Ministry of Em- ployment and the Economy.

Strategy for the City of Kauhava Client: City of Kauhava

Cities in Finland are repositioning themselves in the turmoil caused by governmental reforms. MDI helps the City of Kauhava in formulating the new municipal strategy document. During the 10 month strategy process MDI gathers opinions from the stakeholders with an web-based survey, interviews the most central civil servants and decision-makers, organises two strategy workshops and a seminar for the new council. All thoughts and results will be presented in a compact strategy paper. The work is due in October 2017.

Vitality Programme for the Kaustinen Region Tilaaja: Kaustinen Region

MDI sparred and helped the Kaustinen Region (municipalities of Halsua, Kaustinen, Lestijärvi, Perho, To- holampi and Veteli) in drafting the new Vitality Programme in 2016. The regional government reform changes the role of municipalities and further cooperation is needed especially among smaller municipalities. Thus it is important to discuss the future of the region and individual municipalities. The aim was to create a common strategic intent and define the foci of economic development. The Programme was drafted by almost 100 civil servants and decision-makers and the web-based surveys gathered opinions from over 300 inhabitants and enterprises. The most important of the six thematic objectives was creating new jobs by strengthening the economic growth of the region. Vitality Programme (in Finnish): Kaustisen seudun elinvoimaohjelma

Study on Development of Housing Policy Client: Parliament of Finland

MDI is responsible for a research project focusing on how the housing policy should be developed, particu- larly in the metropolitan area, and how the current support tools for housing have succeeded. Housing policy is considered as the key concern in the metropolitan area, where the significant housing bottlenecks are caused by high housing costs and lack of availability of affordable rental housing. Housing subsidies also are often the subject of criticism. The aim of this study is to provide information to help the decision-making on how it would be possible to increase the positive effects of cost-effective housing policy. The client is the Parliament’s Auditing Committee. MDI research partners are Seppo Laakso and Henrik Lönnqvist. Results will be completed in the summer 2017. Press release by the Parliament (in Finnish): https://www.eduskunta.fi/FI/tiedotteet/Sivut/TrV_asuntopolitiikka_20161004.aspx

Frame Agreement on Management Consulting Client: City of Tampere

MDI has signed a frame agreement with the city of Tampere concerning management consulting services on the strategic development of the city. The contract covers two years and has an option for another two- year period.

Future-Oriented Vision for Kotka-Hamina Region Client: The regional development company for Kotka-Hamina, Cursor Oy

The ongoing gigantic structural reforms in Finland dramatically reshape municipalities in the near future. Cursor Oy, Kotka-Hamina Regional Development Company, has appointed MDI to carry out a future- oriented study in the region. The main objective for the study is to find out, how the region of Kotka- Hamina secures the important development of vitality and lobbying especially from the point of view of administrative structures. The study will be carried out as an intensive process. In the first phase Perlacon Ltd, MDI’s partner in the study, will conduct an analysis on Kotka-Hamina municipalities’ financial perfor- mance. Building on this, MDI will continue by designing and implementing an online survey to the municipalities in the region, interview the most central city officials and organise workshops for the regional council. The study will be completed by the end of February 2017.

Regional profiles Client: Study by MDI

MDI published a 200-paged study on Regional Profiles 2016. It consists of national development analysis and regional statistics. The study offers information about strategic choices and development objectives in regional level. Regional Profiles gather statistical information about regional development from the mid- 1990’s through the financial crisis and until the economically stagnant years till 2016. The sub-regions are given grades according to development in years 2008-2016. The urban sub-regions and rural sub-regions are also compared against each other. Further information (incl. reading instructions): http://www.mdi.fi/en/regional-profiles-2016/

Analysis on Development of the Regions Client: Elite Asset Management Plc

Elite Asset Management Plc is directing its real estate investing towards successful cities and regions out- side of Helsinki Metropole Region. MDI analysed the development of Finnish urban regions and other regions that focus on leisure between 2008 and 2016. The Development Figure was developed based on the MDI Regional Profile work that contains variables of population, employment, business structure and economy. The work was due in June 2016.

4 Vitality Survey for inhabitants and business Client: City of Kannus

MDI created a base for drafting the Vitality Programme for the city of Kannus by executing a web survey for inhabitants and business representatives in Kannus. The survey aimed at getting inhabitants voices heard in developing the city by asking about the most important elements and measures. The Vitality Programme aligns and draws the main action points for developing the city in the coming years. The work was due in June 2016.

Tuunaa Tuottoa Vol. 2 – Facilitation of Network Meetings Client: Novago Business Development

MDI organizes regional Tuunaa Tuottoa Vol. 2 network meetings in five cities. This co-operation model designed for entrepreneurs in creative industries brings together companies that want to invest in intangible value creation, operate in networks and create new services for clients in different fields. The entrepreneurs from different regions will meet in ”Matchmaking day” in Seinäjoki 14.6.2016. The entrepreneurs have already gathered in Lohja and Porvoo and the networking days will take place also in Mikkeli and Jyväskylä in autumn.

Future regional tasks in Kymenlaakso Client: Regional Council of Kymenlaakso

Finland is in the middle of the most profound regional reform in decades. All regional councils are urged to start preparation for their future tasks in June 2016. MDI sparred Kymenlaakso Region in their work. A project group has been set up, where Regional Council, Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, Rescue Department, Social and Health Care Services, Rural services and labour organisations are represented. The regional group was defining the organisation of regional services except social and health care tasks. The group worked for formulating future vision, through which new services and functions as well as new operation models are to be designed. In addition to formulating the regional tasks, MDI facilitated a seminar about the regional reform in Kymenlaakso region in 31th August 2016. The work was carried out through three workshops and a regional reform seminar and was due in October 2016.

Future Paths for Helsinki Region North Client: Public Utility for Helsinki Region North

Ten municipalities in the Helsinki Region North (a.k.a. Central Uusimaa Region) have organised their regional co-operation in key development themes through KUUMA co-operation concept. MDI and Laurea University of Applied Sciences conducted an evaluation for the current council period of 2013–2016. Laurea collected the underlying data. During the summer 2016, MDI facilitated discussions with key stakeholders, as well as collected relevant background material. The interpretations were made in the autumn. MDI’s main task was to define the vision for future and possible development paths for future development.

Study on Gold Plating among EU programmes Client: DG Regio

MDI analysed together with Sweco the provisions on simplification of management of the European Struc- tural and Investment Funds. The aim was to observe gold plating, national implementation of legislation that exceeds the demands of EU legislation. In other words the programme becomes unnecessarily more complicated and expensive. The study compared the situation in Member States, illustrated in which parts of the programming process gold plating is most frequent and why, and clarified the administrative costs by Member States. In Finland the study consisted of analysing the structural fund programme and rural development programme. The data was gathered through interviewing the managing or payment authorities and sending a survey to the beneficiaries.

5 Impact, Customer Orientation and Cost-effectiveness in Regional Administration Reform – the Future of Regional Development System and the Services of ELY Centres and TE Offices Client: Prime Minister’s Office

MDI, Tempo Economics Ltd and Melkior Ltd conducted a study that generates new knowledge of expected outcomes and impact of regional administration reform. By focusing on the future of regional development system and the services and tasks of ELY Centres and TE Offices, the project has two objectives and research questions. The first objective was to recognise the critical success factors in ELY centres and TE Of- fices and analyse how these success factors can be guaranteed in the reform. The second objective was to scrutinise how the regional administration reform affects the organisation of regional development system and map options for renewal of the system. The project was part of the implementation of the Government Plan for Analysis, Assessment and Research for 2016 and was coordinated by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. Final report (in Finnish, Summary in English): http://www.mdi.fi/content/uploads/2017/01/10_2017_Vallan-ja-vastuun-uusjako.pdf

Functional regions and growth zones Client: Prime Minister’s Office

MDI and Finnish Environment Institute will analyse Finland´s functional areas and growth corridors in To- KaSu project, which has begun in April. The project is one of the joint government research projects, which generate information that support decision-making. The goals of the projects are to identify functional areas and growth corridors and to analyse the current state and development of these regions, find out what kind of factors affect the location decisions of business and people´s decisions on where to live. In addition, the study will include recommendations for supporting the development of functional areas and growth corridors. In spring, the research team will concentrate on the general description of development, identifi- cation of the functional areas and growth corridors and international case studies. The ToKaSu project lasts until February 2017 but the intermediate findings will be communicated and discussed already during the project.

Building of the vision 2030 for the Baltic Sea Region Client: Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth

MDI conducted, as a subcontractor to Spatial Foresight GmbH, a foresight study on the Vision 2030 for the Baltic Sea Region that analysed the challenges and opportunities for the region in a global perspective. Ma- jor themes to be covered were economy, technology, society, environment and geopolitics. The results were presented at the Strategy Forum for the EUSBSR on 8-9 November 2016 in Stockholm. The Strategy Forum is high-level meeting focusing on a vision for the Baltic Sea Region 2030.

Study on regional development for the city of Pieksämäki Client: City of Pieksämäki

MDI gathered data for a study on regional development for the city of Pieksämäki. The study was based on statistical data visualised with maps. The analysis focused on data of population, work and business structure. The inner development in Pieksämäki was analysed with a zip code based data. The study included a development comparison to a set of chosen municipalities. The study was due in May 2016.

6 Municipality of the Future Client: Ministry of Finance

The changes that municipalities face deal with service and governance structure. The tasks, functioning and financing, position and role in the public sector system will change radically. The study consisted of a survey sent to all Finnish municipalities and their elected officials, civil servants and stakeholders. The data was deepened in focus group discussions held in six municipalities during the summer 2016. The work was due in August 2016 and contributed to the Municipality of the Future Reform process.

Smart Countryside – better services in rural areas by using digitalisation and experiments Client: Prime Minister’s Office

Digitalisation and urbanisation have drawn a great wave of attention and numerous projects and studies on Smart City. However, there hasn’t been a similar wave of attention in the countryside, even though digitalisation might have a greater impact there where the distances are longer, volumes smaller and the pace of service structural change quicker. MDI, Spatia, Finnish Environment Institute and University of Vaa- sa conducted a study on the current state, opportunities, international practices and service user views on digital services in rural areas. The results will be used in preparing of the experiments beginning in 2017. The project was part of the implementation of the Government Plan for Analysis, Assessment and Research for 2016 and is steered by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Education and Culture and Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Project’s Smart Countryside – Developing and diversification of rural areas’ services by using digitalisation and experiments phases and results (in Finnish, Summary in English) are reported on site www.mdi.fi/smartcountryside.

Study on migration in Kanta-Häme region Client: Regional Council of Häme

MDI analysed Häme’s regional development and migration during April and May 2016. The report delved into the departure and arrival of local and regional motives and formed recommendations to further promote the region’s attraction factors. The work consisted of three parts: regional profile, structure of the migration and a survey, in which 600 persons will be interviewed. MDI’s partners in the work were Innolink Ltd and Dr. Timo Aro as an adviser. The results of the analysis were published in Vitality and municipality day of Häme on May 11, 2016 and further developed in a regional council’s meeting in September 2016.

Camp: Attracting investments to Eastern Finland? Client: Finpro

In May 2016 the most central investment attractors from cities, municipalities, regional development companies and regions of the Eastern Finland (Southern Savo, Northern Karelia and Northern Savo) gathered together to work on functioning models for attracting investments. The camp scanned and enlightens the regional investment objects and development platforms and offered a chance to exchange experiences of the functioning aftercare services of the established companies. The aim was to strengthen the idea of Eastern Finland being an interesting investment target and to find out about best practices in other regions.

Innovation camp “Komia Camp” 2016 Client: Into Seinäjoki Oy

Into Seinäjoki decided to organize an innovation camp ”Komia Camp” 2016 for the food business. The aim of the camp was to build new product, service and application ideas for food distribution and even get the best concepts introduced in the upcoming “supersummer” in Seinäjoki with 400 000 visitors. MDI stood for the overall planning and implementation of the camp taking care of recruiting, organizing the camp in April, further working on the camp results in May in a workshop and prize-giving in the Food Business Summit in Seinäjoki in June.

7 Developing of the city centre of Seinäjoki Client: Into Seinäjoki Ltd

Into Seinäjoki has started a project called Operation Our Seinäjoki – Have your say on the development of the city centre of Seinäjoki. The project aims at user-oriented mapping citizens and others actors’ visions about how should the city centre of Seinäjoki look like and what functions and facilities should the city centre (restricted area) have. MDI carried out three intensive workshops for Into Seinäjoki in the beginning of February 2016. The workshops aimed at collecting different stakeholder groups’ views about developing of the city centre.

Voice of the travellers Clients: Finnish Transport Agency and Finnish Transport Safety Agency

MDI studied different approaches to gather user views from mobility and transport system in a genuine and continuous manner. The approach aims at increasing understanding of the average client and at developing the transport system – travel chains and mobility service – from the traveller’s point of view and taking into account her wishes, needs and behaviour. The most important in creating a new approach is to understand the legal status and trends of civic participation and to see the possibilities the new technology offers. The work was carried out in two expert workshops in January-February and was finalised in Spring 2016.

Roadmap for Urbanization II: Urban Building to stimulate Finnish economy Clients: Confederation of Finnish Construction Indus- tries RT (CFCI), Building Information Group, The Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions, Finnish Construction Trade Union, Hypo Bank, cities of Espoo, Hämeenlinna, Kuopio, Lahti, Tampere and Turku

The role of the cities as creators of the growth and in strengthening of the vitality is facing a new challenge with the renewing of the regional administration system. The work conducted by MDI and several experts in building and urban development produced a report that included a description of the views of Finnish urbanization based on the best disposable knowledge and an action plan for the upcoming urban building needs in Finnish cities and growth corridors. A special attention was paid to the role of the cities, renewing division of labour between different actors and financing of the future infrastructure investments. The work was carried out in workshops during Spring 2016. The results are that the development of rail connections and station areas is vital for bigger cities. Creating new locations and taking the wastelands in good use can pursue growth. Roadmap for Urbanization II: Urban Building to stimulate Finnish economy (in Finnish): http://www.mdi.fi/content/uploads/2016/04/Kaupunkirakentaminen-piristämään-Suomen-taloutta.pdf

Evaluation of the regional programme Client: Regional Council of the Northern Savo Region

Northern Savo Region carried out an external evaluation of the regional programme 2014-2017 in the beginning of 2016. The regional programme implements the regional plan that aligns the development of the region until 2030. The work was carried out in a straightforward way with a survey, interviews and a workshop. The current renewal of the regional administration system brings a special touch to this work. MDI participated in the evaluation as a subcontractor for TK-Eval. The client was the Regional Council of the Northern Savo Region and the work was due in summer 2016.

Sparring the economic development strategy in Pielinen Karelia Client: Pielinen Karelia Development Centre Ltd PIKES

MDI sparred the preparation of the economic development strategy in Pielinen Karjala (Lieksa, Nurmes, Valtimo) in Spring 2016. The work included helping draft the basic elements of the strategy with a work- book and two workshops in Nurmes and Lieksa. Pielinen Karelia Development Centre Ltd PIKES stands for writing the strategy, MDI sparred the work remotely and comments the drafts during spring. The work was carried out on a Google Docs document and was due in Spring 2016.

Updating the economic development strategy in Central Karelia Client: Central Karelia Development Company Keti Ltd

MDI carried out an updating of the economic development strategy for Central Karelia Development Com- pany Keti Ltd. The work aligned the premises of economic development and vitality and drew situational awareness and desired objective. The work was carried out in a tight cooperation with the development company’s personnel and regional stakeholders. The work was due in Spring 2016.

Planning the regional forecasting approach in Satakunta Region Client: The Regional Council of Satakunta

The Regional Council of Satakunta is renewing its forecasting work towards governance of the anticipated structural change. The work enhances using of forecasting, preparedness of economic renewal, smart specialization and reinforcing the culture of experimenting. The anticipated structural change makes a part of continuous strategy work and decision-making, needs strong strategies that can handle the future and has to be implemented in a resilient manner. MDI supported the Regional Council of Satakunta in renewing the approach, focusing especially on forecasting and tracking. The work was due in May 2016.

Urban Network Study 2015 Client: Study by MDI

MDI updated the Urban Network Study that has monitored and developed the national urban network and Finnish urban regions for 20 years (1995, 1998, 2001, 2006). The method, a statistical analysis, was kept as unchangeable as possible to make longitudinal comparison (1995-2013) possible. According to the study there are now 30 functionally relevant urban regions. The number of the regions has dropped, but there are more strong regional centres than in the middle of the 90s. The Urban Network Study, its background articles and statistics (in Finnish) can be found on www.mdi.fi/kaupunkiverkko.

Available funding sources for the implementation of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Client: Interact Point Turku

The Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region doesn’t have it’s own financing, but it is co-dependent on other financing sources. MDI scanned with its European partners possible financing opportunities for the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and studied with interviews what kinds of needs do the stakeholders have related to the inventory of funding sources. MDI acted as a subcontractor for Spatial Foresight. The work was due in January 2016.

Mobility as a Service in the Growth Corridor of Finland Client: Growth Corridor of Finland Network / City of Hämeenlinna

Growth Corridor of Finland aims at being the leading European smart transport experiment base by 2020. To make this true, MDI interviewed 22 experts regarding developing Mobility as a Service in the Growth Corridors. The work was due in December 2015.

Bicycle – The missing wheel of MaaS? Client: Finnish Transport Agency

MDI took part in studying what is the status of bicycling in MaaS (Mobility as a Service) abroad and in Fin- land. The work mapped best practices and successful experiments and evaluated how they could be made use of in Finland. MDI studied especially the role of different organizations and practical possibilities in Finnish cities. MDI acted as a subcontractor for Sweco. The work was due in 2015.

9 Vitality rocket Client: City of Kouvola

MDI constructed a vitality rocket for Kouvola. It consisted of economic development, accessibility, business friendliness, planning, housing and land use policies. The result was a concrete, compact and clear programme for enhancing and highlighting the vitality of Kouvola that includes the most important measures and development areas. The work acted as a motherboard for several on-going programmes, such as the employment programme, development of competitiveness, attractiveness, knowledge base, economic development and rural development. The work was due in March 2016.

Vitality indicators in the City of Pori Client: City of Pori

MDI sparred the City of Pori in updating the vitality strategy, especially the indicators and strategy process. The project studied competitiveness indicators, monitoring practices and urban community strategies used in the biggest Finnish cities. The project made a proposal on the method to draft a continually developing strategy – the main idea being self-assessment and monitoring. It is not as important to define indicators than to steer the setup of stakeholders towards implementing of the programme. Another important thing is to infect attitude: what kind of promises, questions, experiments and partners will make the strategy happen. The work was due in December 2015.

Various studies for the European Investment Bank Client: European Investment Bank MDI takes part in a European consortium that has carried out various studies for the European Investment Bank related to ESI Funds. MDI acted as a subcontractor for Spatial Foresight. In 2015 the tasks included translation and mapping of the Finnish needs.

Strategy workshop Client: Seinäjoki Art Design Week

MDI carried out a strategy workshop for Seinäjoki Art & Design Week that aimed at focusing the core of the SADW Cooperation Network. Questions like What SADW does and what it doesn’t do, what it is and what it is not were dealt in the workshop. This aligned the rules and future activities of the network. MDI carried out the strategy day as a pro bono work.

Role of regional development companies in national economic policy Client: Association of Regional Development Agencies in Finland, SEKES ry

Association of Regional Development Agencies in Finland, SEKES ry has commissioned a study from MDI to clarify the role of the regional development companies in national economic policy. The study makes an international peer study from cases of Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands regarding interpretations of project funding for regional development companies.

Sparring of local cooperation Client: Joint Municipal Authority of Eastern Lapland

In September and October 2015 MDI studied the regional cooperation model of Kemijärvi, Salla, Savukoski and Pelkosenniemi municipalities. MDI studied how the regional cooperation could be executed in a more flexible and economical way. The options are further developing the current organisational model, a regis- trated association, company model or functioning without a separate organisation, for example as a cooperation group of municipal leaders. The work took into account special circumstances and future possibilities and arising needs for cooperation in Eastern Lapland.

10 Strategy sparring Client: Nykarleby Kraftverk Ab

Nykarleby Kraftverk Ab is an energy company owned by the Uusikaarlepyy city. The former city establish- ment was incorporated in the beginning of 2014. MDI spars the Board of Directors and management with a three-day workshop series. The aim was to clarify the shared vision of the development needs of the company. The work was due in December 2015.

Network training Client: Posintra Ltd

Posintra is creating a new learning environment and starting a new digital platform for local businesses and municipalities within social and health care sector in Eastern Helsinki Region. MDI carries out network training for the actors in order to bring together the different parts and to act as a cooperation forum. The network training strengthens mutual trust of the partners and improves the conditions for a sustainable and effective change of approaches. The work is due in December 2016.

Business and effective public services with mass data Client: Prime Minister’s Office

MDI took part in a consortium led by ETLA, the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy, that analysed the use of mass data. The research was financed by the Prime Minister’s Office. The aim was to provide data about economical effects and business potential of mass data in different sectors. Developing the approaches to my data is an important step in creating a better functioning digital world. My data ecosystem needs a reliable way of communicating between different actors. This connected the project to the biggest six cities in Finland and to their Open Data top project. The work was due in April 2016. The report Business and effective public services with mass data (in Finnish): http://vnk.fi/julkaisu?pubid=10701

Regional Rural Network days Client: Rural Network Services

MDI carried out six Regional Rural Network days in 2015-2016. The aim of a network day was to gather rural developers and create an active and goal-oriented network that enhances and supports the implementation of the Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020. The network days were held in Lapland, Kainuu Region, Northern Ostrobothnia Region, Ostrobothnia Region, Southern Ostrobothnia Region and Åland Is- lands.

Sparring the city strategy Client: City of Seinäjoki

City of Seinäjoki wanted their strategy be a strategy of renewal and news tasks. When the current city council period ends in Spring 2017, the task of the new city council is to renew the city strategy. The starting point for renewing is exceptional: the duties of the municipalities will change drastically due to the decision and restructuring of social and health care sector and the economical downturn of the public sector. MDI sparred the preparation of the new strategy in Autumn 2015 and Spring 2016 with its expert team. The aim was to challenge the city with new ways of thinking, creative solutions and courage to step out of the box. With six blogs and three roasting sessions MDI drew a pamphlet “Seinäjoki Roasted – 8 hot coals to lighten up the vitality”. Pamphlet (in Finnish): http://www.mdi.fi/content/uploads/2016/05/pamfletti-seinajokiroasted.pdf

11 Competitiveness of Lahti Region Client: LADEC

MDI carried out a competitiveness study for Lahti Region. The study was based on a heavy data mining and qualitative analysis of the strategies that focused on reacting in structural changes. The comparative study was made between Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Joensuu, Pori, Helsinki, Hämeenlinna and Tampere Regions. MDI’s Regional Development Expert Timo Aro conducted the data mining. The study was due in September 2015.

MaaS Vision and effects 2025 Client: Ministry of Transport and Communications and five other organisations

The idea of MaaS (Mobility as a Service) has been a bubbly topic for over a year in Finland and abroad. MaaS has wide effects in development of society and service businesses. MDI carried out a broad effectiveness study of MaaS. The work focused on gathering, filtering and simplifying information. The work had three phases: 1) trends, 2) roles and 3) road map. The most essential task was to reinforce the decision- makers’ understanding of possibilities of MaaS, creating a favourable ecosystem and linking MaaS into other development themes. The work was due in August 2015.

Evaluation of the MAL Network Client: Tampere City Region

MDI evaluated the operating of the MAL Network. The MAL Network is a national network for land use, housing and transport. Since 2012 the MAL Network has continued as a cooperation forum for 16 cities, regions, civil service, Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and research organisations. The work focused on evaluation how the network has functioned and on sparring thoughts to ensure the perse- verance of the work. The evaluation was due in September 2015.

Evaluation of Farm Energy Programme Client: Motiva Ltd

The Farm Energy Programme is a voluntary agreement for improving energy efficiency and the use of re- newable energy sources in Finnish farms. Farms were entitled to join the programme until the end of 2014. MDI evaluated the activities in the programme during the years 2010–2014. The main purpose of the evaluation work was to gather a comprehensive understanding of the outputs and functionality of the programme as well as to draft development proposals for the future, as the National Energy Efficiency Agree- ments is currently under renewal. Motiva Ltd commissioned the evaluation that was due in October 2015.

KomiaCamp Innovation Camp Client: Into Seinäjoki Ltd

Into Seinäjoki Ltd hosted a 30-hour innovation camp, KomiaCamp in Seinäjoki 23.-24.6.2015. The camp produced new software and application ideas for agriculture and transport. The AgroApps group had three teams developing new applications for farmers, consumers and authorities. The Digital Services for Transport group had two teams competing for new business ideas in themes of search and route applications and Mobility as a Service. In total 70 participants took part in the camp, varying from entrepreneurs to researchers, transport engineers, developers and authorities. MDI stood for the overall planning and executing of the camp and of guiding the groups.

12 Porkkala – Municipality of the future Client: Reenpää, Herlin, Bergh

MDI took part in ventilating thoughts around the ”Municipality of the future”, making a case of Porkkala city. The municipal level needs revolution – new thinking, experiments and ways of acting. It is time to get rid of the thought of one model for a municipality. We have to find various solutions around Finland – different models for in different regions. Municipalities of Inkoo, Kirkkonummi and Siuntio make a great platform for experimenting around ”Municipality of the future” and around the framework region solutions around metropolis. The founding fathers of the idea have beer professor Heikki A. Reenpää, Kaj-Gustaf Bergh and Antti Herlin. The idea was published at Reenpää’s estate Loviselund in 11th June 2015. The report and more information in Finnish and Swedish can be found at porkkala.info.

Cooperation methods and tools applied by European Structural and Investment Funds programmes for 2014-2020 to support implementation of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Client: INTERACT Point Turku

As a part of a European cooperation network MDI analysed the implementation of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region in the European Structural and Investment Funds programmes for 2014- 2020. The analysis paid special attention to cooperation methods and tools. MDI acted as a subcontractor for Spatial Foresight. The work was due in April 2015.

Process descriptions for regional business services Client: Keuke, Development Centre Ltd. Helsinki Region North

Well-functioning regional business services are the cornerstone in developing business and vitality at the regional level. Developing the multiorganizational services as common processes improves the understanding of the regional service package and reduces the risk of partial optimization. MDI worked with Keuke, Development Centre Ltd. Helsinki Region North in a close cooperation to describe the business service processes. The work included days at the client, regional workshops to strengthen the common understanding, a testing day for the entrepreneurs and tailored mentorings for the business advisors. The work was due in November 2015.

Sparring the Rural Network Client: Rural Network Services

Rural Network contributed in implementing the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020. MDI sparred the Rural Network in drawing the action plan, organizing the network activities and collecting the local networks. The job included a network training, workshop and implementation of the Rural Network Day. The work was due in March 2015.

Defining the development activities of the archipelago in Eastern Uusimaa region Client: Posintra Ltd

Eastern Uusimaa region has implemented the Archipelago Programme since 2012. The Finnish archipelago has a great potential, but as a development environment it is not too easy since the business and financing environment are in choppy water. Posintra ordered help from MDI to navigate the development in Porvoo, Loviisa and Sipoo. The chart helps the entrepreneurs and regional developers in the archipelago to draw buoys for future endeavours. The work was due in March 2015.

13 Study on the development needs of the metropolis policy in Helsinki Region Clients: Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Finance

Metropolis policy has been on the agenda since 2007. The spear themes of the policy are land use, housing and transport, international competitiveness of the region, immigration and social coherence. MDI assessed the needs to develop the policy. The core of the assessment was targeted towards the policy approach that has been thanked for its pragmatism and focusing on essential questions. The challenges have lied in strengthening the actors and further developing the regionally differentiated policies. The work was due in February 2015.

Effectiveness of the regional and local rural development plans 2007–2013 Client: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

MDI carried out a study on the implementation and effectiveness of rural development plans of 15 Centers for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY centres) and 55 local action groups (LAGs). The study also contributed in recommendations for further developing the qualitative and quantitative indicators. MDI acted as the lead partner in the consortium that consists of Avaintaito Osuuskunta Suomi, Ruralia Institute at the University of Helsinki and Spatia at the University of Eastern Finland.

Common strategy document for Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVIs) and Centers for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELYs) Client: Ministry of Finance

The steering model for AVIs and ELYs are being renewed and cleared. The current model of goal setting is divided into three steps. In the future, there will be a two-step steering and planning model that is made for both ELYs and AVIs for the reign of the government. MDI, in cooperation with Tempo Economics Ltd, helped the Ministry of Finance, AVIs and ELYs to prepare a common strategy document. The work was due in March 2015.

Roadmap for urbanization 2015+ Clients: The Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions, Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT (CFCI) and 5 other organizations

MDI drafted a concrete proposal for a roadmap for urbanization. The roadmap included a summary of the approaches, national opportunities and potential actions of Finnish urbanization. The data was collected with a series of intensive club workshops and the results were used in the preparation of the Government Program. The work was due in 2015. The report can be found here (in Finnish): http://mdi.web31.neutech.fi/content/uploads/2015/06/Onko_maallamme_malttia_kaupungistua.pdf

Updating the strategy Client: Joensuu Regional Development Company JOSEK

MDI continued its cooperation with JOSEK and wrote another chapter in its story. MDI updated JOSEK’s strategy for 2020. The data was collected by interviewing the owners, companies, citizens and other stakeholders of JOSEK. Furthermore, the essential contents of the strategy were formulated on a strategy camp organized with JOSEK personnel and board. The contents were then tested with an electronic survey sent to JOSEK’s customers and stakeholders. The work was due in May 2015.

14 Workshop to develop Tourism Strategy Client: Council of Oulu Region

Northern Ostrobothnia is the third biggest tourism region measured by overnight stays after Lapland and Helsinki Region. The Council of Oulu Region updated its Tourism Strategy 2020. MDI held a workshop for the developers and other stakeholders in connection with the meeting of the Tourism Parliament in Octo- ber 2014.

Coaching public procurements Client: Innopark Programmes Ltd

MDI carried out a coaching session in Hämeenlinna for Innopark Programmes Ltd and City of Hämeenlinna. The coaching consists of planning and executing an afternoon coaching session and conceptualization of a procurement clinic concept and piloting the concept twice. The aim is to build a process for the clients to carry out public procurements in a more innovative way and in a way that enables the procurements to support the renewal of the local economy and developing competitiveness. The coaching program was carried out in September 2014.

Developing the trackside in Lahti Region Client: LADEC

The trackside area makes a great object of investments in both the Growth Agreement and in INKA (Innova- tive Cities) Programme for Lahti Region. The trackside between Henna in Nastola, Hennala in Lahti, Villähde in Nastola and Uusikylä form a ribbon-shaped area where housing, entrepreneurship, transport and building are developed. MDI carried out two intensive workshops for developing the trackside area giving a starting shot for drafting a roadmap in the future. MDI executed the work in cooperation with Ari Hynynen, Professor at School of Architecture at Tampere University of Technology and Jari Kolehmainen, Head of Re- search at School of Management at University of Tampere.

Sparring the INKA (Innovative cities) programme Client: Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation

MDI coached Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation, INKA cities, regional councils and Centers for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY centres) during autumn 2014. The aim of the work was to form an opinion of the regional focuses and targets and to harmonize the financial instru- ments to support the execution of the INKA programme. The work was crystallized in the Mass Centrum in Helsinki in 26th August 2014.

Report on a centre for skiing, adventure and nature activities Client: LADEC Ltd

Skiing, nature activities and adventure sports are popular in Southern Finland. The Lahti Region is internationally profiled as a sports and specially winter sports region. MDI carried out a research what are the premises of building a centre for skiing, adventure and nature activities. The centre should be both an international centre of excellence and a place for active practitioners. The adventure and nature sports part would bring vitality to the region round the year. The report was due in September 2014.

Usability testing of the Project Gallery (Hankegalleria) Client: Prime Minister’s Office

The Finnish Government aims at taking better advantage of research data in the decision-making. The Prime Minister’s Office has identified a need for communicating the research data better between users, producers and financers. There is a possibility to use an existing platform, Project Gallery (www.hankegalleria.fi). MDI gathered users’ views, feedback and development ideas and tests whether the platform worked well also for the reports and studies financed by the Finnish Government.

15 Formulating and conceptualizing the development model for welfare services Client: LADEC

MDI gathered welfare, healthcare and sport people together to plan what kind of a common welfare concept could be developed in Lahti. The ideas were gathered in workshops, web-based surveys and interviews. The data collection culminated in a Lovely Quartier pop up welfare day in Valo shopping centre in Lahti. The entrepreneurs got people test their products and worked as a kick off for future collaboration. The work was due in July 2014. As a result, MDI created a conception manual for a welfare hub (in Finnish): http://mdi.web31.neutech.fi/content/uploads/2015/06/ladec-140704-2naytolle.pdf

Study on municipal restructuring in the Kainuu region Client: City of Kajaani

With Janne Antikainen in the lead, MDI Team studied the municipal restructuring in the Kainuu region by the end of June 2015. The main idea of the work was to strengthen the vitality and cooperation no matter what the decisions based on the study are. The municipalities of Kainuu received tools for working on their vitality and it was possible to build more compatible, attractive and funny Kainuu based on the work. The most important question was to define what the municipality is now and in the future when the world changes around it. The work was due in May 2015.

Coaching the economy and innovation services in the Centers for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY centres) Client: Ministry of the Employment and the Economy

MDI supported the Ministry of the Employment and the Economy in clearing the success factors in ELY centres. The work identified the essential change factors, basic tasks for the future and critical success factors to focus the activities. The aim was to find common resources in the pool of decreasing resources to develop businesses and regional growth. The results of the report aimed at sharpening the economy and innovation services in ELY centres.

Study on municipal restructuring in the Oulu region Client: Ministry of Finance

One of MDI’s partners, Design Director Janne Antikainen was called to study the restructuring of municipalities in the Oulu region from March 2014 onwards. The work appointed by the Minister of Local Govern- ment Henna Virkkunen was started in March and the kick-off was in April 2014. Data was collected during the summer and the final proposal was formulated before the due date in December 2014.

Developing the Helsinki-Hämeenlinna-Tampere growth corridor Client: City of Hämeenlinna

The Helsinki-Hämeenlinna-Tampere growth corridor is the most significant development zone in Finland. The corridor has remained on the agendas for years – now it has become more vivid also for companies and citizens. To strengthen the functioning corridor in everyday life development ideas were combed out in two workshops. MDI stood for the transport themed workshop in April in Hämeenlinna. The client of the work is Project HHT coordinated by Anna-Mari Ahonen from the city of Hämeenlinna.

Harvesting the innovation camps Client: Rural Network Unit, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Rural Network Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry financed five innovation camps in 2013. MDI dived into the life after the camps and gathered information about the current state of the ideas. The pub- lication focuses also on the role of innovation camps in rural development and in creating new cooperation in the area.

16 Companies’ views about the Smart Specialization Strategy of Southern Ostrobothnia Client: University of Tampere

Southern Ostrobothnia has been preparing the smart specialization strategy that combines the focus areas of the regional strategy and the horizontal themes that have to be developed in the area. MDI carried out a study for the University of Tampere about the views and opinions of Southern Ostrobothnian companies about the strategy. The work was done with interviews in April 2014.

Playbook of internationalization in Vierumäki Client: Vierumäki Country Club Ltd

MDI drew a playbook of internationalization for Heinola region. The work was related to a project turning wellness tourism into internationalization. The region developed the Heinola region and Vierumäki into a nationally and internationally significant wellness and tourism business driver. The playbook is intended to activate all wellness actors in the area. The work was due in March 2014.

DG Regio framework agreement Client: DG Regio

MDI is part of a European consortium that has been selected as one of the DG Regio framework supplier. According to the decision made in March 2013 the consortium is working in four subsystems that handle the future of the cohesion policy, structural funds and the investment fund through impact assessment and research. The study focuses also on EU policies’ impact on the economic, social and regional development and the expenses and bureaucracy of EU policies. The consortium has over 100 offices around the Europe.

Evaluation of the EU Cohesion Policy 2007–2013 Client: DG Regio

MDI was part of the evaluation consortium that evaluates programs and their indicator data in ERDF and Cohesion Fund. The evaluation data formulated a base for the evaluation of the cohesion policy 2007-2013. MDI took a look at the five Finnish ERDF programs (Southern, Western, Eastern and Northern Finland + Åland Island) and Central Baltic program that is governed by Finland. MDI was a subcontractor in the program led by t33, Spatial Foresight and ÖIR. The work was due in 2015.

Preparing the regional program of Central Ostrobothnia Client: Regional Council of Central Ostrobothnia

MDI drew the regional program for of Central Ostrobothnia with 60 regional developers in a workshop held in March 2014. The result of the workshop was ingredients for the structure of the new program, focusing the content and finding new ways to implement the program. At the same time the identity of the region was strengthened.

Impact assessment Client: Josek Ltd.

Taking into consideration the circumstances, Joensuu region has developed well in the 2000s. Despite the structural change in both private and public sector the key figures have been positive. The regional actors’ ability to react quickly to changes has been thanked. MDI assessed the impacts of JOSEK to Joensuu region during the last decade. Data was collected in various ways and a jury assessed the impact, too. The work was finished in 2014.

17 Impact assessment of business incubator Client: Development Centre Ltd. Helsinki Region North (Keuke)

Development Centre Ltd. Helsinki Region North (Keuke) has been vivid for a decade. It has worked actively between supporting and incubating hundreds of companies. MDI assessed the impact of the business incubator by interviewing companies and through a survey. MDI also organized an assessment workshop to work on thoughts for coming years: in the future, the services are directed at established companies, too. The work was finished in January 2014.

Innovation activities within wellness sector Client: Posintra Ltd.

MDI helped Posintra in developing their innovation activities within the wellness sector by organizing an innovation camp to further develop the idea of a Wellness Centre and to establish one in Eastern Helsinki Region. In the beginning of 2014 there was an innovation contest to activate and gather service innovations within the wellness sector with series for entrepreneurs, young people and everybody. The contract included an option to organize another camp to further develop the most interesting ideas during spring 2014.

Transfer of the invention activities Client: Ministry of the Employment and the Economy

MDI helped the Ministry of the Employment and the Economy and the Uusimaa region Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY centre) in the process of transferring the invention activities from the Invention Foundation to the Uusimaa region ELY centre. The aim of the work was to clear the vision, strategic actions and development. In addition MDI helped in defining the strategic guidance to promote inventions and measure them in 2014-2016. The work was mainly implemented through an intensive workshop round by the end of February 2014.

Workshop for renewing the management system in the city of Helsinki Client: City of Helsinki

The city of Helsinki is changing its management system in 2017. The city began to discuss the renewal already in 2013. In the workshop held by MDI in the beginning of 2014 the highest political and civil officials listened to key note speeches and discussed the new system during the 24-hour workshop. The workshop worked on the most central theme, questions and national and international benchmarks.

Special municipal restructuring of Seinäjoki and Jalasjärvi Client: Ministry of Finance

Janne Antikainen, as a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance, carried out a special municipal restructuring of Seinäjoki and Jalasjärvi in the beginning of 2014 in cooperation with Eero Laesterä. The study recom- mended the municipalities to merger in the beginning of 2016.

Developing the European Innovation Partnerships Client: Rural Network Unit

European Innovation Partnership, EIP brought new tools for rural economy. The aim of EIP was to develop grass-root level ideas into agricultural innovations. It brought practical needs and research results nearer to each other. MDI organized two workshops for rural developers about the contents and steps of European Innovation Partnerships. EIP is further developed during 2014 including opening the theme application. The EIP groups began in 2015 focusing on farmers and other actors forming a group around a specific practical question. Experimenting, piloting and testing were central principles of operation.

18 Development Day for the Rural Network Unit and Agency for Rural Affairs Client: Agency for Rural Affairs

The Rural Network Unit moved from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry into the Agency for Rural Af- fairs. MDI organized a development day for the staff of the uniting organizations to discuss the possibilities a change can bring. The day included common rules for the new workplace, too.

Regional scanning for resource wisdom Client: The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra

Resource wisdom is about the ability to use different resources – e.g. natural resources, raw material, energy, products, time and space – considerably and by promoting wellbeing and sustainable development. MDI scanned quickly Finnish regions’ and municipalities’ interest and strategic choices towards resource wisdom. At the same time, the scanning activated the actors to participate in the national resource wisdom seminar on 4th December 2013. More about resource wisdom: http://www.sitra.fi/en/ecology/resource- wisdom

Regional innovation camps Client: Rural Network Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

MDI executed a series of five innovation camps in autumn 2013 for the Rural Network Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The aim of the innovation camps was to create, challenge and develop the people, economy and networks of the rural areas. Every innovation camp was implemented based on the need of the region. The camps took 50 hours and during that time chosen blanks are processed further, tested and finally conceptualized. The work was finalized on 3rd December 2013. Additionally, the agreement includes an option for carrying out five camps in 2014. Camp ideas for 2014 are sought by the Rural Network Unit.

Facilitating a workshop for the digitalisation researchers of University of Helsinki and Aalto University Client: Aalto University

MDI facilitated a workshop for digitalisation researchers in Otaniemi. Dozens of the most active researchers gathered in the Open Innovation House to work on the research topics within digitalization. The potential is amazing; Finland will definitely hear good news from Otaniemi also in the future.

Study on special municipal restructuring of the municipality of Jalasjärvi and the city of Seinäjoki Client: Ministry of Finance

Design director Janne Antikainen, one of MDI’s partners, was called to study the special municipal restructuring of the municipality of Jalasjärvi and city of Seinäjoki. The study was carried out to ensure the statutory services in a way that the municipalities could be merged in the beginning of 2015. To carry out the study, Antikainen worked as an official in the Ministry of Finance until the end of February 2014.

Evaluation of the development measures of creative economy Client: Regional Council of Central Finland

MDI evaluated the development measures of creative economy for the Regional Council of Central Finland. The work was based on years 2004-2013, the emphasis being on years 2010-2013. The main questions of the evaluation were how the development of the creative economy has worked as a process, how the projects have improved creative companies’ and other actors’ operating conditions and how they have pro- moted the development of the creative economy in Central Finland. The evaluation found out how the projects have effected in strengthening the common view and cooperation of the actors, in commitment and in implementing the target setting. The work was finished in 2013.

19 Updating the Regional Development Plan Client: Regional Council of Lapland

By assignment of the Regional Council of Lapland MDI updated the Regional Development Plan that points out the pursued development and strategy until 2040. The update studied effects of central megatrends, factors of uncertainty and changes in values for the vision chosen by Lapland and for the development alignments. The update paid special attention to the competitiveness of the business and industry, knowhow in the region and service structure related to wellbeing. MDI envisioned that rising or staying in the group of developed regions requires resources and ability to be renewed. MDI walked the Regional Council of Lapland from defining the purposes till the final report. The report was finished in February 2014.

Process of the Nature Innovations project Client: Häme Development Centre Ltd.

The Nature Innovations project by Häme Development Centre Ltd. aimed at creating a national level knowledge centre in Kanta-Häme Region. MDI executed the process that started by collecting information, ideas and questionnaire and culminated in three workshops in 2013. Companies and other actors interested in the nature innovation theme were invited to the workshops.

Strategy seminar for municipal council of Kuortane Client: Municipality of Kuortane

MDI planned and carried out a strategy seminar for municipal council of Kuortane in Härmän Kuntokeskus 16.-17.8.2013. The seminar handled the municipality’s vision and strategic goals for current council period, discussed the emphases of the economic program and measures for balancing the municipal economy. Ear- lier that year MDI coached the municipality of Kuortane to update their economic program.

Sparring the regional cities Client: Ministry of the Employment and the Economy

Regional cities are the second or third cities of their regions. Their success reflects to everyday of millions of people. These 50 regional cities are often important centres of local services and motors of potential growth. Ministry of the Employment and the Economy is starting a pilot in order to develop regional cities. MDI organised three workshops to spar the regional cities in piloting. The first workshop supported the applications, second prepared the piloting and third was a kick off seminar in January 2014.

Evaluating the action group and sparring the strategy Client: Seinäjoen Seudun Kehittämisyhdistys Liiveri ry

MDI evaluated the activities of program period 2007-2013 for the local action group Seinäjoen Seudun Ke- hittämisyhdistys Liiveri ry. The task was to analyse the impacts of Liiveri and its projects, pick up success stories and gather information for strategy work. In additions, MDI sparred Liideri’s new strategy. The report was finished in June 2013.

Developing the MicroNanoBio Ecosystem Client: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Aalto University

MDI implemented a series of four workshops for VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Aalto Uni- versity in order to create a concept of ecosystem for micro-, nano- and biosciences and for researchers and business to meet in Otaniemi, Finland. The first and third workshops were meant for researchers, the second and fourth invited in also companies and other developers. The result comprises of three scenarios for a MicroNanoBio Ecosystem. The workshop’s working language was English.

20 Renewing the innovation programme Client: Lapland University Consortium (LUC)

Lapland University Consortium is a strategic conglomeration for three Lappish universities. The consortium renewed its innovation programme during summer 2013 and MDI helped in the process. The previous innovation programme had strengthened the cooperation between Lappish univeristies and other actors. The purpose of the new programme was to define the role of universities in the the strategy of smart specialization of Lapland and strengthen the international cooperation. The contents and objectives were defined during a 24h strategy camp in June 2013.

Story camp Client: Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences

Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences wanted to attach a story to its application for authorization for the Ministry of Education and Culture. The project was about telling a story about the meaning of the University of Applied Sciences to the development of Seinäjoki Region and the whole Southern Ostrobothnia Region. Before the camp MDI collected newspaper stories, pictures, drawings, historical depictions, feelings and athmosphere descriptions about the region and the University of Applied Sciences. The camp was an intensive 24h story camp in June 2013. The participants collected a map for reminiscencing and a description of the development processes and impacts of the University of Applied Sciences. Apart from the historical analysis the story camp included a future-oriented session where the camper evaluated the impact of the University of Applied Sciences at the moment and during the ten following years.

Governance Model for the Rail Baltica Growth Strategy Client: City of Helsinki

MDI was part of planning the Rail Baltica Growth Strategy. Rail Baltica Growth Strategy is a joint effort of Helsinki and Berlin and the largest cities between them. It studied prerequisites for a joint growth strategy that rests heavily on developing the transport infrastructure. MDI acted as a subcontractor for KPMG. MDI’s special assignment was to present the governance model for the Rail Baltica Growth Strategy.

Regional Guidance Plan for Services Client: Posintra

MDI drew guidance plan for Porvoo-Loviisa-Lapinjärvi region in Eastern Uusimaa region. The work includes inventorying the signposts of existing services, prioritize the renewal of existing signposts and evaluating the need and urgency of new signposts. The work was based on developing the year-round tourism in East- ern Uusimaa region, so the project has a strong developing point of view. The plan was made in a tight cooperation with municipalities and entrepreneurs. Specialty of the assignment was an “Amazing Eastern Uusimaa region race” in which teams test functionality of the signposts and services. MDI carried out the study with SITO Ltd and the plan was due in early autumn 2013.

Gathering information about national programmatic development Client: Tillväxtanalys (Sweden) and Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (Norway)

The Nordic countries follow actively what happens in the field of Finnish regional development. In spring 2013 MDI gathered the basic information about the national programs of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy for the Swedish Institute for growth policy (Tillväxtanalys) and the Norwegian Ministry of Lo- cal Government and Regional Development (KRD). The neighbouring countries were especially interested in the discontinued COCO (Cohesion and Competitiveness) Program. In addition to COCO, MDI collected information about the Innovative Cities Program (INKA) and Growth Policy. Sweden and Norway were interested in the contents and implementation of programmatic development work.

21 Facilitating the council seminar Client: Municipality of Kirkkonummi

MDI carried out workshops for the municipality of Kirkkonummi in 19.–20.4.2013. MDI built a bridge between keynote speeches and workshops by adding a commenting wall and electronic voting sessions. The aim was to discuss the balancing of economy and the future of Kirkkonummi. The council seminar attracted around 50 delegates and 20 civil servants.

Regional workshop of the CREATOR miniprogram Client: Regional Council of Häme

MDI carried out a regional workshop of the CREATOR miniprogram for the Regional Council of Häme in Hämeenlinna in 20th March 2013. The aim of the workshop was to create ideas, formulate, concretize and prioritize the development recommendations from the point of view of the Häme region. Some 15 people from the projects and other stakeholders took part of the workshop.

Evaluation of the Regional Development Programme of Southern Savo Client: Regional Council of Southern Savo

The evaluation was made of the Regional Development Programme of Southern Savo 2011-2014 and it was carried out in an intensive and communicative process where it is extremely important to bind the current and upcoming actors of the Regional Programme together. The evaluation looked forward. It reviewed the development program work as a tool for holistic development in the region and evaluated the actual steering impact for the regional development. The work was due in July 2013.

Evaluation of the project ”Central Finland anticipates” Client: Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences

There has been made local anticipation work through projects in Central Finland for decades. Instead of the projects, the anticipation is wanted to be a part of the everyday work of different organizations. MDI evaluated the project ”Central Finland anticipates” for the Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences. The evaluation consisted of qualifications of the local actors for anticipating. The work included also evaluating the actors’ commitment and comparing the model of Central Finland to models in other regions. The work was due in June 2013.

Municipal restructuring of Seinäjoki, Jalasjärvi and Kurikka Clients: Municipalities of Seinäjoki, Jalasjärvi, Kurikka

Janne Antikainen carried out the municipal restructuring of Seinäjoki, Jalasjärvi and Kurikka in 2013. He proposed the merger of Seinäjoki and Jalasjärvi in the beginning of 2015 and Kurikka later. The merger would give more manageability to the municipalities and resources for developing the public services. This would result in better and more accessible services. Managing and developing would become more effi- cient – a successful region is more capable of taking care of its inhabitants. A growing cake has more to share.

Future workshops Client: Regional Council of Ostrobothnia

MDI carried out two sparring workshops for the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia aiming to create discus- sion around the future trends and their impact on the development of the province of Ostrobothnia. The first workshop focused on outlining the future trends and the other on outlining the possible paths i.e. how to react to the change. The workshops were carried out in February 2013.

22 Scenario work of the Regional Strategy of Southern Ostrobothnia Client: Regional Council of Southern Ostrobothnia

MDI supported the Regional Council of Southern Ostrobothnia in creating the scenario work needed for the Regional Strategy. The scenario work included building alternative scenarios and target states for the development of the region, evaluated the existing and upcoming strengths and identified the critical success factors. As a part of the scenario work, five intensive and thematic workshops were held to assess the future of the region. The work was due in February 2013.

Evaluation of the Regional Development Program of the Southern Finland co-operation area Client: Regional Council of Päijät-Häme

MDI carried out an evaluation of the regional development programs of the Southern Finland co-operation area - Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme and Uusimaa regions. The evaluation focused on how significant role the regional development programmes have played in steering resources and development actions in the regions. Important viewpoints were also how the regional development programmes have strengthened the shared development vision and co-operation, commitment and roles of the actors in the co-operation area. The evaluation was due in March 2013.

Ex-post evaluation of the Regional Development Programmes of Northern Finland Client: Regional Council of Central Ostrobothnia

MDI carried out an evaluation of the regional development programs of the Northern Finland regions (Kainuu, Central Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Northern Ostrobothnia). The evaluation focused on how the regional development program work has functioned as a tool for holistic development in mentioned regions. The work was carried out in two steps: the first focused on environmental changes and on implementation of the regional development programs and the second on deepening the information and on comparing the regions.

Strategic openings for mapping out the arctic operation Client: Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation

Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation - launched strategic openings for mapping out the arctic operation environment and its possibilities in Finland. The objective was to design a vision and a road map for the concrete activities for the development and utilization of arctic excellence. The project focused on analysing the sectors of arctic excellence in Finland and it sought to point out the areas where both research excellence and businesses are interlinked to form a harmonic and competitive value chain. MDI took part in the work as a subcontractor to the University of Oulu (SMARTIC – Roadmap to a smart Arctic specialization) and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (ArctiComp, road map for arctic excellence – strategic openings of Finland). The project was due in 2014.

Study on municipal restructuring in the municipalities of Jalasjärvi, Kurikka and Seinäjoki Client: City of Seinäjoki

Janne Antikainen was chosen to study the municipal restructuring in the municipalities of Jalasjärvi, Kurikka and Seinäjoki that began in January 2013. His task was to coordinate and steer the study and participate in the meetings of the study committee. Antikainen acted also as a contact person to the state level and other stakeholders. The conclusions and a proposal of the structure were due in the end of 2013.

23 INKA (Innovative Cities) preparation for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Client: Culminatum Innovation Ltd

MDI supported Culminatum in the first phase of the INKA preparation for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area in autumn 2012. The kick off phase aimed at mapping the knowledge potential in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, different states of preparation and national and regional preparedness for the innovative clusters. The kick off also aimed at getting the developers excited about the preparation. The work consisted of document analysis, interviews, survey and the actual kick off. In January 2013 MDI organized an INKA camp in the Finlandia House. During the three-day camp over 250 researchers, developers and representatives of companies and municipalities took part of the camp. The result of the camp was a crystallization of the chosen themes for the INKA program.

Developing the innovation environments in rural areas Client: Frami Ltd, Innovation network

MDI consulted Frami Ltd in developing rural innovation environments in 2012. The first part was to help Kaustinen region and the Southern Ostrobothnia to see their strengths and sharpen the spears of development. The second part consisted of building hubs to rural areas. The aim was to create a unique hub concept to smaller cities in order to create an entity that would interest people on the national level.

Ex ante evaluation of Structural Fund Programme 2014–2020 Client: Ministry of Employment and the Economy

MDI carried out the ex-ante evaluation of the Structural Fund Programme 2014–2020 by the order of Min- istry of Employment and the Economy. The evaluation focused on the cohesion policy instrument, Structur- al Fund Programme for Mainland Finland 2014–2020, partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund. The evaluator carried out research-based evaluation of the program and also gives consultative support for the program preparation. The evaluator provided national and regional stakeholders with information to support the preparation work, undertook critical evaluation on the proposed priorities and activities, and gave suggestions to the program writers. The ex-ante evaluation was due in summer 2013.

Ex ante evaluation of the Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland 2014–2020 Client: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

MDI carried out the ex-ante evaluation of the Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland 2014– 2020. The evaluation concerned the process of developing a policy program – the evaluation process al- lowed refinements and improvements to the program drafts in a way that the program objectives would be achieved in a cost-effective manner. The ex-ante evaluation project applied a developmental approach and was therefore performed before the program’s implementation. MDI focused on improving the program as a whole, including its design, its contents, the quality of its implementation, and its effectiveness. With the evaluation, MDI also produced concrete and instantly accessible / exploitable knowledge for the ministry and different national stakeholders and for supporting the work of local action groups. The ex-ante evaluation was due in late spring 2013.

The Future of the Larger Metropolitan Area Client: Regional Council of Uusimaa

MDI was responsible for organizing six future-oriented workshops in the larger metropolitan region of Hel- sinki-Uusimaa, Päijät-Häme and Häme regions. MDI was appointed by the Uusimaa Regional Council. The main objectives for the workshop process included describing the common future of the three regions, identifying common development topics and themes, producing insights on joint possibilities and also opening paths for closer co-operation in the future between the regions. The work utilized scorecards that were further worked on in each workshop. Scorecards are also provided in the blog www.etelasuomentulevaisuus.net (in Finnish).

24 Evaluation of the Regional Development Programme of Northern Savo Client: Regional Council of Northern Savo

The Regional Council of the Northern Savo ordered the mid-term evaluation of their Regional Development Programme for 2011-2014 from MDI. The most central goal was to find out the impact of the program to regional development in Northern Savo. Renewal of local economy was the most central issue in the evaluation. Results of the mid-term evaluation were utilized in steering the development measures in the current program period as well as in designing forthcoming program for 2014-2020. The evaluation started in summer 2012 and was finalized by the end of the year.

Sparring of the Southern and Western Finland program Client: Regional Councils of Päijät-Häme and Central Finland

MDI helped the regional councils of Päijät-Häme and Central Finland in preparing of the new structural fund period. The Southern and Western Finland produced the common part of the structural fund program. MDI organized three interactive workshops to enhance the cooperation in and between the regions. The workshops focused on SWOT analysis of the region, defining a common intent for the program and made choices regarding the programs contents according to the regions’ and national and Baltic Sea Strategy guidelines. Apart from the workshops MDI carried out a document analysis and a survey and interviewed a bunch of experts. The work was done between June and September 2012.

Evaluation of the axis 5 of the Southern Finland ERDF program Client: Regional Council of Päijät-Häme, EU Office

MDI carried out the evaluation of the axis 5 of the Southern Finland ERDF program for the regional council of Päijät-Häme. The aim of the work was to find out in what way the interregional projects have strengthened the knowledge clusters in Southern Finland. The evaluation produced also information for the preparation of the new programming period. MDI cooperated with the Baltic Sea Institute in Finland. The work was due in the end of 2012.

Planning of the regional development programme for Eastern and Northern Finland Client: Ministry of Employment and the Economy

MDI played a central role in designing strategic guidelines for regional development of Eastern and North- ern Finland, announced by the Finnish Government in June. Regional Development Programme for Eastern and Northern Finland is the most important regional development initiative of this governmental period. MDI supported the preparation of the program document and background memo, and organized a workshop for a group of experts to gather ideas for the program. Further development of the ideas takes place in the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.

Promoting entrepreneurship friendliness in Päijät-Häme region Client: Lahti Region Development Ltd - LAKES

Lahti region wants to be the most entrepreneur friendly growth centre in Finland by 2015. MDI wrote action plans for the municipalities to promote entrepreneurship friendliness in Päijät-Häme region. Being entrepreneurship friendly means that every public action that affects the business life takes into account the conditions for growth and competitiveness. It concerns preparation, decision-making, development and services directed to entrepreneurs. During the process MDI visited every municipality and interviewed central policy makers and entrepreneurs. The process was due in the end of 2012.

25 Services promoting innovations in the regions Client: Ministry of Employment and the Economy and Ministry of Education and Culture

MDI carried out a research about services that promote innovations in the regions. The research was done for Ministry of Employment and the Economy and Ministry of Education and Culture. The aim of the study was to draw a picture about the innovation and internationalization services on local, regional and national level within technology centres, regional development centres, Centers for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY centres) and universities. The work was due in September 2012.

Strategy for the economy, vigour and competitiveness Client: Novago Business Development

MDI drew the strategy for economy, vigour and competitiveness for the Western Uusimaa region that presented their vision, goals and action points for developing the region within coming years. The process included a survey that activated the local people, three workshops that gathered local economic actors together to discuss choices made in the region. The strategy process turned into a concrete action plan to develop the economy, vigour and competitiveness in Western Uusimaa region.

Stakeholder survey about the new innovation policy program Client: Ministry of Employment and the Economy

MDI carried out a wide national stakeholder survey for the Ministry of Employment and the Economy to provide information for the preparation of the new innovation policy program in June 2012. The survey was made with ZEF survey application and it was sent to around 1 700 respondents around Finland. The re- sponse time was limited to one week and 739 (43,2%) responses were given until the due date. The results were presented in a work group meeting in the end of June 2012. The respondents got their own regional results.

Planning of the Invest in – tool Client: Association of Regional Development Agencies in Finland (SEKES ry)

MDI planned a tool for development centres and developers to advise Russian companies in invest in activities. The tool standardizes the variation of invest in services between regions. The result was written in a form of a manual to be used in everyday business consulting work. The manual was due in June 2012.

Preparation of the East and North Finland program Client: Ministry of Employment and the Economy

MDI consulted the Ministry of Employment and the Economy in the preparation of the East and North Fin- land program in spring 2012 by assisting the secretary-general and the preparing secretariat and the work group. MDI read through all the background material, produced the new information needed with the client, formulated action points and produced the texts for the program and the background memorandum.

Evaluation of the national innovation policy and regional choices Client: Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation

MDI carried out a project whose aim was to signal the national innovation policy choices to the regions and assess the mismatch of the regional innovation strategies and programs and the national innovation policy. The work was implemented as a workshop round for the 15 Centers for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY centres). The background research comprised a study made of 212 r3egional strategies about the regional choices. The final report included an analysis of the mismatch, recommendations for the implementation and a holistic understanding about the challenges of innovation work. The work was due in the beginning of 2012.

26 Growth Entrepreneurship Programme for Southern Ostrobothnia Client: Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences

MDI planned Kasvuyrittäjyyden tahtomaa (The Land of Growth entrepreneurship, Eng.), the growth entrepreneurship program for Southern Ostrobothnia. The planning process analysed the previous studies, national guidelines and local business advising services for growth entrepreneurship. In addition, MDI carried out a survey, interviewed a bunch of growth entrepreneurs and organized two workshops to define the aims, contents and action points of the program. The implementation of the program was coordinated by the chamber of commerce of Southern Ostrobothnia and Southern Ostrobothnia Entrepreneurs Associa- tion. The final program was presented to the Regional Management Committee in March 2012.

Big Picture – The Future of the Finnish Machinery and Metal Products Industry Client: PKT Foundation (TRIOPlus)

MDI carried out a study for PKT Foundation to see clearly the vision of the Future of the Finnish machinery and metal products industry. The work concentrated on small and medium enterprises’’ strategic choices to respond to the needs of the changing environment. MDI interviewed a dozen people from technology industry and its stakeholders. The report focused on future visions and draft measures to respond to the challenges. The work was due in 2011.

Promoting service innovations Client: City of Seinäjoki

MDI carried out a study to promote service innovations in the city organization of Seinäjoki. According to the study the city of Seinäjoki is willing to specify its personnel strategy and to kick off a novel way of en- couraging the personnel to develop services and the workplace. MDI carried out the study in cooperation with the Urban and Regional Studies Group Sente at the University of Tampere.

Strategic roadmap for the technology industries’ centre of excellence Client: The Upper-Savo Development Ltd

MDI drew a strategic roadmap for The Upper-Savo Development Ltd in spring 2011. The aim of the process was to assess the current state of the technology industry in Upper-Savo region and draw a strategic roadmap for developing it. The roadmap included the drivers, choices, foci, contents, draft measures and operating model in order to develop the industry till 2020. The process supported also the implementation of the economic strategy of Upper-Savo.

Transport industry report Client: KOSEK - Kokkolanseudun Kehitys Ltd

MDI carried out an industry report for transport in Kokkola region. The aim of the work was to assess the current state, future and effects of the megatrends to local businesses and scan the development needs in the near future. MDI carried out the report in cooperation with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in spring 2011.

Development of the DEMO Network Client: Ministry of Employment and the Economy

MDI carried out a study for the Ministry of Employment and the Economy about the DEMO Network. The work consisted of outlining the premises of the network, recognizing common goals and operating models and gathering information from the participating regions. The research was tied in the regional meetings’ agendas. During the process MDI offered support for the DEMO Network coordinator in organizing the network and in preparing the implementation.

27 Preparation of the regional program Client: Regional Council of Pirkanmaa

MDI carried out a preparation process to prepare the regional program. The work consisted of four interactive workshops within the central players of the region. The workshops were completed with a survey to collect data and opinions of the ideas born at the workshops. The results were reported in a compact final report.

Ex-ante evaluation of the Regional Cohesion and Competitiveness programme “COCO” Client: Ministry of Employment and the Economy

MDI carried out the ex-ante evaluation of the Regional Cohesion and Competitiveness program “COCO” for the Ministry of Employment and the Economy in summer 2009. The evaluation gave points to participating regions’ program drafts according to the applying criteria, assessed the rural impacts and deepened national cooperation possibilities within the ministry group and other stakeholders. The final report has been published in the publications of the ministry (TEM, Alueiden kehittäminen 57/2009).

Interregional innovation strategy Client: Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation

MDI wrote an innovation strategy for Southern Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia and Central Ostrobothnia regions. The strategy was based on interregional knowhow and technology maps that were drawn by assessing regional strengths, economies and research areas. To support the strategy process MDI made a survey and interviewed key actors to weave a network within the three regions. The strategy process was based on the analysis that recognized common innovation activities. MDI carried out the study in cooperation with the Urban and Regional Studies Group Sente at the University of Tampere. The interregional innovation strategy was due in June 2010. MDI helped in the implementation phase until the end of 2011.

Study for Service business for agricultural machinery industry Client: Seinäjoki Technology Centre Ltd

MDI carried out a study for Service business for agricultural machinery industry for the Seinäjoki Technolo- gy Centre Ltd. The aim was to research the current state of the industry, tell development stories about the best practices within the industry, recognize business potential and produce new business ideas. As a result of the study MDI created a service arc for agricultural machinery industry that collects the services within the industry. The project was carried out with Work Efficiency Institute.

BSR coaching process Client: Regional Council of Pirkanmaa

MDI carried out a coaching process for the development centres within Pirkanmaa region. The aim of the process was to assess the competences needed in the daily work and to draw development programs for each organization to develop the required competences. During the process, two workshops were held in each five development centres. In addition, MDI organized two common workshops for the whole region to deepen the views of the needs and to discuss possibilities of cooperation.

Developing the Northern Finland innovation environment model Client: Tekes – the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation

MDI carried out an innovation environment model for three regions in Northern Finland (Kainuu, Northern Ostrobothnia and Lapland). The work consisted of evaluating the existing models and searching for new tools to get SMEs covered by the innovation services. The work was divided into regional and interregional parts and the aim was to combine the national and regional innovation strategies. The project assessed the internal dynamics and the intensity of the cooperation between regional innovation environments. MDI organized three workshops to find solutions, new models and ideas to the identified challenges and needs. The final report is published in the Tekes Publications (Tekesin katsaus 260/2009).