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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

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