METSÄINNO – A preparatory project for innovation cooperation in the forest bioeconomy between 'innovation cities'

The Innovation City programme includes collaboration among the participating innovation cities. "Lead responsibility projects" (*vetovastuuhankkeet*) have been established to drive this cooperation. These projects function as networks in which the strengths of the various cities complement one another. They foster robust inter-city and thematic collaboration, building upon existing ecosystem agreements. At the initiative of the City of Joensuu, the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is coordinating the METSÄINNO project—a lead responsibility initiative focused on the forest bioeconomy—in partnership with the cities of Oulu and Lahti. The project will deliver an overview of the innovation landscape in the sector—both nationally and specifically within the participating cities—as well as a comprehensive project plan.