Turku process and role of local and regional authorities in promoting cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region Mikko Lohikoski , St. Petersburg

Turku – The Oldest City in Finland Turku is Finland’s historical centre for culture and education The oldest city in Finland (1229) The first university in Finland, Turun Akatemia (1640) The City of Higher Education Turku University and Åbo Akademi University university and higher education students Turku University is a top-level research university, world rank 2011.¹ Sources: ¹ University of Jiao Tong 2006, ² Ministry of Education 2006

Economical center in the region Five leading fields are:  The bio field  ICT  The Maritime industry  Logistics  Tourism

The Central Position of the City of Turku

Active cooperation partner in the Baltic Sea Region St. Petersburg Twin city to Turku since 1953 A special Turku Centre to be established in order to promote trade and network building between actors in Southwest Finland - St. Petersburg and Northwest Russia Union of the Baltic Cities - UBC Regional organization of more than 100 cities in the Baltic Sea Region. Platform for mutual cooperation and ex-change Turku has positions of UBC Vice-president and Strategy Coordinator UBC is working through active networking, and based on the principle of sustainable urban development Promotion of the Baltic Sea Region as a dynamic, competitive and prosperous region

Turku process Promoting effective cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region Partners Cities of St. Petersburg, Hamburg and Turku/Region of Southwest Finland The European Commission/ DG REGIO Leningrad oblast, Kaliningrad Ways of working Bringing partners together across the border Informal and active-orientated Round tables, forums, common initiatives Shared key interests Common action for common challenges Environment, Innovative enterprises, Labour Market

Shared project initiatives Environment: Water cycle and Agriculture Focus on Waste Prevention Waste water Management e.g. education and training in Vodokanal Hazardous waste Management Agriculture/Manure e.g. Handling of manure as a energy resource Public awareness e.g. training, web, publications Innovative Enterprise: Exchange on Energy Saving Network of Knowledge and Scientific collaboration Linking Russian and European technology platforms Increase of energy efficiency, cost-reduction Labour Market: Competence correspondence, monitoring Transition from education to working life Harmonizing certificates and education contents Labour market monitoring: changing good practices Activities in social dialog

City of Turku Mikko Lohikoski Director of External Affairs UBC Strategy Coordinator Turku process coordinator tel Centrum Balticum/ Turku process secretariat Helinä Yli-Knuutila UBC Strategy work Turku process coordination tel Contacts