Clusters are individuals - VDI/VDE-IT
Clusters are individuals - VDI/VDE-IT
Clusters are individuals - VDI/VDE-IT
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2.5 FINLAND<br />
2.5.1 THE CENTRE OF EXPERTISE PROGRAM (OSKE, OSAAMISKESKUSOHJELMA)<br />
Name of program<br />
Centre of Expertise Program (OSKE, Osaamiskeskusohjelma)<br />
Country<br />
Contact details<br />
Finland<br />
Ministry of Employment and the Economy<br />
Riikka Pellikka<br />
P.O. Box 32<br />
FI-00023 Government<br />
Tel.: +358 50 302 7671<br />
Email: riikka.pellikka@tem.fi<br />
Internet<br />
www.oske.net<br />
2.5.1.1 Objectives and Rationale of the Program 58<br />
Based on the Regional Development Act (602/2002) the<br />
Centre of Expertise (OSKE) program aims at focusing regional<br />
resources and activities on new <strong>are</strong>as of strategic importance.<br />
It shall improve the conditions for investment in<br />
and development of internationally competitive business<br />
and research operations that demand a high level of expertise.<br />
The program history dates back until 1994 and can be<br />
distinguished in two periods:<br />
The OSKE program 1994-2006<br />
The overall objective of the OSKE program in this period<br />
was to support regional economic development through<br />
the support of centres of expertise. The core function of<br />
a center of expertise was to initiate and coordinate cooperation<br />
among research institutes, universities, technology<br />
center, the business sector and various providers of funding<br />
in selected fields of expertise. The centres were usually<br />
managed by a non-profit public body. Each center implemented<br />
its own program based on the development needs<br />
of companies and other institutions within the regional<br />
system of innovation it was located in. Thus, strategies and<br />
objectives of the programs implemented by centres of expertise<br />
were different depending on the regional situation.<br />
The program, which supported 22 centres of expertise<br />
throughout the country (see Figure 38), was successful as<br />
it has encouraged regions to focus their limited resources<br />
on their specific strengths and opportunities. The program<br />
had a significant impact of job growth, skills development<br />
and the regional capacity to utilize research and<br />
development resources through the creation of competence-based<br />
clusters. In this context the program also contributed<br />
to the creation of permanent operating models<br />
that boosted cooperation among different organizations.<br />
58 Government of Finland, 2005: Osaamiskeskuhsohjelma 2007-2013, Valtioneuvoston eritysohjelmat:<br />
Alueiden kehittämislaki (602/2002), Valtioneuvoston (1224/2002) (Centre of Expertise<br />
Program 2007-2013). Special Government Programs: Regional Development Act (602/2002), Government<br />
Decree (1224/2002))<br />
102