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Kanta-Häme's defense innovation ecosystem Define has been selected to join the leading EU defense industry network

17.12.2024 Releases Participate and influence Define Vigor Trying

The provincial Define ecosystem coordinated by the city of Riihimäki has been accepted as a member of the European Network of Defence-Related Regions (ENDR) cooperation network of the European Commission and European defense sector operators.

The European Commission has established the ENDR network in 2016. European regions, clusters and organizations that are strong pioneers in the defense sector are accepted into the network.

The goal of the network is to increase the growth and internationalization of defense companies, to promote dual-use technologies and to support industry players in applying for EU funding. This helps to increase the competitiveness of SMEs in particular. The network's operations are financed through the European Defense Fund (EDF), and it currently includes 63 members from 23 European Union member states, as well as Norway.

- The city of Riihimäki and DEFINE, together with the city of Hämeenlinna and Forssa Enterprise Development, are taking a significant step towards international cooperation in the field of defense in their operations with business partners, says Häme provincial director Toni K. Laine.

- This membership opens up new opportunities for the development of the entire Kanta-Häme province and also highlights Finland's strong role as a pioneer in strengthening the European defense industry, Laine continues.

The main tasks of the network are to improve cooperation and information exchange between regional organizations and clusters for the development of defense and dual-use technologies, to inform about funding opportunities, such as the European Defense Fund and the European Structural and Investment Funds, and to promote the development of regional clusters of excellence in defense industry and research.

- When we laid the foundation stone of the Define project just over a year ago, we included in our vision the goal of creating an internationally high-level network in the defense and security industry. ENDR membership nicely concretizes Define's international dimension. We can be proud of the invitation to this authoritative forum started by the commission, Riihimäki mayor Jouni Eho rejoices.

The residents of Kantahämä met Sylvia Kainz-Huber, head of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Defense Industry and Space Affairs, at the annual meeting of the ENDR network on December 11, 2024 in Brussels.

- The European Commission warmly welcomes the defense sector operators from Define and Kanta-Häme to the ENDR network, says Sylvia Kainz-Huber.

Two women side by side in their jackets smiling in the office corridor.
Sylvia Kainz-Huber, head of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Defense Industry and Space Affairs, and Krista Taipale, director of the Häme EU Office, at the annual meeting of the ENDR network in Brussels on 11.12.2024 December XNUMX. Teemu Seppälä, innovation and technology director of the city of Riihimäki, presented Define's activities at the annual meeting.

Define is a unique innovation ecosystem for the defense and security industry

Define, i.e. Defense Innovation Network Finland, is a project initiated by the city of Riihimäki, which gathers top experts from the defense and security industry and the civilian side into a network and innovation ecosystem.

The goal is to create internationally significant innovations that benefit military use as well as society as a whole.

Riihimäki has been selected as the center of the operation thanks to its strong expertise. The city is home to, for example, the Finnish Defense Forces' cyber security and digitization competence center, where research is conducted, experts are trained and new solutions are developed. In addition, significant defense and security companies such as Millog Oy and Sako Oy operate in the area.

The Riihimäki unit of Häme University of Applied Sciences supports the network by offering high-level technical education. In addition, the city is known for its unique robotics education path from kindergarten to university degree.

- The joining of the Define network to the ENDR cooperation has excellent timing, as defense and security are also a central and strengthening focus of the European Union. The importance of the defense sector and its EU funding will grow in the coming years, says Häme EU Office director Krista Taipale.

- Membership in the ENDR network offers a significant opportunity to utilize the resources offered by the union for research, development and growing the business of companies in the field, emphasizes Krista Taipale.

The Define network offers growth and development opportunities for companies

The provincial Define network brings together the defense forces, companies, educational institutions and research institutes to accelerate innovation and development activities. The goal is to promote the competitiveness of the participants and increase the companies' turnover.

Define's operations are financed by the city of Riihimäki, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), the city of Hämeenlinna, Forssan Yrityskehitis Oy, Millog Oy and Sako Oy. In addition, a significant part of the funding comes from the EU Regional Development Fund (ERDF). EU funding has been granted by the Häme Federation.

Additional information:

Toni K. Laine, provincial director of the Häme association, tel. 050 463 7810
Teemu Seppälä, technology and innovation director of the city of Riihimäki, tel. 050 374 4589