Exploring Mission Oriented Innovation (MOI): Insights from Finland

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In Finland recent surveys indicate a clear interest in using MOI approaches for development activities

02 September 2024 - MINDSET project

Photo by Pihla Liukkonen / City of Mikkeli

ERNACT led and Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme funded MINDSET project partners have made significant progress in understanding the Mission Oriented Innovation (MOI) phenomenon through the recently developed Mission Oriented Innovation in the NPA Area Assessment report. This document reviews the state-of-the-art in 4 Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) countries including Finland, Ireland, Norway and Sweden.

The MINDSET Mission Oriented Innovation in the NPA Area Assessment report shows that in Finland, recent surveys indicate a clear interest in using MOI approaches for development activities. However, MOI approaches are not often mentioned in Finnish policies or initiatives. Some exceptions include references in the evaluation of the national sustainable development program, the national growth plan, the Research Council of Finland’s evaluation report, and the updated National Roadmap for Research, Development, and Innovation (2021).

Although Finland has several major projects, like the goal to become carbon neutral by 2035, that could be considered mission-oriented, MOI approaches are still not widely used.

Currently, the only innovation funding agency in Finland, Business Finland, has five active funding missions:

Digital Native Finland
Zero Carbon Future
Circular transition for Zero Waste
Healthcare Reimagined 2035
Immersive Digital Life

At the local and regional levels, MOI approaches have not yet been explicitly implemented. Although several projects and initiatives in the South-Savo region, such as Blue Economy Mikkeli, exhibit characteristics commonly associated with MOI approaches, none explicitly state that they are using MOI methodologies. Nonetheless, novel MOI approaches are mentioned in the recently published South-Savo RDI roadmap 2023, which suggests that regional organizations and actors should actively participate in ongoing EU Horizon missions funding applications.

Stay tuned as more information will be shared about the current state of MOI in the MINDSET partner regions.

Click here to email Maixa Zabaleta at ERNACT for further information

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