Europe supports industry digitalization – as do we in Tampere Region

Tampere Region wants to support the digitalization development of manufacturing companies with broader shoulders. A service model is being prepared which will provide a channel to utilize existing expertise, equipment and infrastructure in the region more effectively. Development work is part of the EUR 9.2 billion Digital Europe programme (2021-27). Tampere Region’s services will focus on manufacturing, its digitalization and sustainable development.

The European Commission has proposed a new Digital Europe programme for 2021-27. Its aim is to promote digital renewal in the economy, especially in SMEs and midcap, and in the public sector. The programme emphasizes supercomputing, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and advanced digital skills. The Commission has proposed an overall budget of EUR 9.2 billion for the programme.

At first glance, the Commission’s proposals and the everyday life of companies may seem far apart. However, the ambition is the local manufacturing industry to take full advantage of European investment. In addition, the aim is to provide a channel with a renewed service model to make more effective use of the expertise, equipment and infrastructure already available in Tampere Region. Testing services, financial advice, training, peer support and new partnerships should be agile and easy to achieve.

The local economic development agency, Business Tampere, is building the service model together with e.g. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tampere University, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, DIMECC, Tredu and TAKK.

Our goal is to be excellent in technology, but also in service. So that every company who is interested in digitalization, would get the help they need, says Heini Wallander, Business Advisor, Business Tampere.

European know-how for the benefit of our businesses

We want our companies to have the best knowledge at their disposal. However, not all of the world’s know-how lives in Tampere Region, so along with developing our service model, we are creating a common European network for knowledge sharing. We are planning models that will facilitate finding the specialized expertise for the benefit of companies in Tampere Region.

"Our companies utilize European knowhow already now to support their develpment. The practices could however be more flexible so that the specific knowhow could be utilized in an agile way. This of course opens possibilities also for Tampere region companies in Europe", explains Wallander.