ECOCRIN: Pioneering Innovation and Cultural Policies for Finland's Creative Sectors

Business Finland's funding of the ECOCRIN project marks a pivotal step in redefining cultural and innovation policies in Finland. Led by the University of Turku, this initiative aims to invigorate the creative sectors by unlocking their potential for innovation, growth, and internationalization.

ECOCRIN, standing at the intersection of policy analysis and ecological approaches, is dedicated to understanding how current national and regional policies can better support the burgeoning creative sectors. The project's comprehensive policy profiling has already shed light on the alignment between existing cultural and innovation policies and the needs of private ecosystem actors. This analysis serves as a foundation for addressing critical areas in policy development, particularly in fostering an ecological approach to innovation.

The project's geographical focus spans across Turku (Paimio), Pori, and Kuhmo regions, emphasizing a grassroots understanding of the needs within creative ecosystems. This approach extends beyond mere economic valuations, seeking to capture the nuanced dynamics of creative industries.

Under the leadership of Prof. Jarna Heinonen, the ECOCRIN project team comprises seasoned scholars from the Turku School of Economics. These include experts like Pekka Stenholm, Tommi Pulkkinen, and Kaisa Hytönen, bringing a wealth of knowledge from diverse academic backgrounds. Their work will culminate in the creation and implementation of a Roadmap for the co-created model, aimed at systematically reforming innovation policy for creative sectors.

Prof. Heinonen emphasizes the project's collaborative nature, involving continuous interaction with creative ecosystems, policymakers, and stakeholders. This integrated approach is crucial for the successful modeling and piloting of the project in real-world contexts.

Final Insight:

The ECOCRIN project stands as a beacon of innovation in policy-making, specifically tailored for Finland's creative sectors. Its holistic and ecological approach to innovation policy promises to bring a fresh perspective to the cultural landscape, potentially catalyzing significant growth and international reach for Finnish creative industries.