Saloniemi, Anne, Master of Natural Resources (MNR Forestry), Senior Specialist, Future Bioeconomy Expertise Group, Lapland University of Applied Sciences
Sipola, Reeta Master of Natural Resources (MNR Agronomist), Specialist, Future Bioeconomy Expertise Group, Lapland University of Applied Sciences
Charlton, Adam, Dr, CChem FRSC, Senior Scientist, The Biocomposites Centre, Bangor University, Wales UK
Mäcklin, Kaarina, Master of Social Sciences, Senior Specialist in EU relations, Regional Council of Lapland
Lapland´s international connections and cooperation with business life are very important drivers of its vitality (Rissanen 2021). The Lapland University of Applied Sciences (Lapland UAS) provides new knowledge and competence from the Arctic perspective and through strategic choices, we collaborate with various national and international research partners and networks.
In the Future Bioeconomy competence group we consider Lapland’s unique characteristics through the forestry and food production sectors. The focus is on sustainable forestry and logging, food security, natural products, reindeer husbandry, and multiple use of forests where circular economy and digitalisation are cross-cutting themes. Our RDI activities are closely linked to teaching, our strategy, S3, Lapland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (Lapin liitto 2023), and the SDGs, United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations 2025). Through the education and RDI-activities, we build new areas of competence closely together with business and working life strengthening our international connections.
Implementing the Smart Specialisation strategy
Lapland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy is based on region’s unique strengths, developed in collaboration with local stakeholders. It takes into account the region’s competencies, the innovation-driven development needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, growth potential, innovation bottlenecks, and the principles of sustainable development. The “Prosperous Lapland through Sustainable Innovation” strategy aims to strengthen the role of research and educational institutions in supporting innovation within companies, renew skills and collaboration models, improve the competitiveness of businesses, and enhance Lapland’s attractiveness as an investment destination. In addition, it promotes collaboration among various actors in strategic priority areas.
Improving the competitiveness of Lapland’s industries is based on the sustainable and responsible utilisation of our natural resources and conditions, and on the increase of added value, which also covers waste and by-product streams generated during the processing of raw materials. The strategy is implemented through four priority areas. One of these is “Renewable Energy Solutions as Promoters of Self-Sufficiency”. The green and digital transition, along with changes in Europe’s security environment, have increased the need to recognise the importance of renewable energy and bioeconomy. Lapland has strong expertise in bioenergy, decentralised energy solutions, and the sustainable use of natural resources, all of which support the goals of the green transition. Promoting low-carbon and cost-effective energy solutions not only accelerates this transition but also strengthens Lapland’s self-sufficiency and regional competitiveness. Lapland UAS is one of the main actors in the design and implementation of Lapland S3, being responsible of several development entities and working closely with other organisations and stakeholders.
Also at Lapland UAS, through the new Renewable energy- research program, launched at the beginning of 2025, we will build applied research expertise and find solutions toward more sustainable energy production. Renewable energy, in practice, refers to solutions that promote the transition away from fossil fuels and toward more sustainable and partly more decentralized energy production. (Lapland UAS 2025b.) The research program at Lapland UAS is closely aligned with the region’s S3 which emphasises the importance of developing regional cooperation networks, cluster activities, and international partnerships, which together support the region’s innovation activities and competitiveness. Through these measures, the goal is to create a sustainably growing, innovative, and internationally successful Lapland.
The Vanguard Initiative and the Bioeconomy Pilot
International RDI activities are essential in creating solutions that protect sustainable development and strengthen connections to working life. The Lapland University of Applied sciences is actively involved in cooperation and interaction in regional, national and international partnerships involving higher education institutions, research and educational institutions, working life and business networks, and public and third sector actors. One of the newest networks for Lapland UAS is Vanguard Initiative. This initiative emphasizes the importance of interregional collaboration linked to smart specialization across Europe.
The Vanguard Initiative is a network of European regions aimed at promoting industrial innovations and their commercialisation. The network operates on the principle of smart specialisation, where complementary regional expertise is leveraged to drive growth and industrial development. It particularly supports the competitiveness of SMEs in European value chains and fosters interregional collaboration among research institutes, universities, businesses, and clusters. (Vanguard Initiative 2025.)
The Vanguard Initiative promotes networking, access to financing opportunities, and business support to develop commercialisation opportunities Member regions collaborate in pilot projects, focusing on place-based approaches and collaboration based on the Quadruple Helix model. Lapland is part of Vanguard Initiative Bio-Economy pilot as one of the regions of East and North Finland.
An interregional conference of the Vanguard Initiative network was held in Kajaani (25-26 September 2024), and the focus was to develop links between the Bioeconomy Pilot and East and North Finland, which joined this pilot in 2024. The aim of the Bioeconomy Pilot is to support the development of new biobased value chains, promote interregional co-operation in the bioeconomy and promote political engagement linked to the EU policy on developing a sustainable economy. Overall, Lapland UAS’s involvement in the Vanguard Initiative’s Bioeconomy Pilot enhances its ability to develop new biobased value chains, promote interregional cooperation, and engage in political discussions related to the EU policy on developing a sustainable economy. Kajaani meeting was an opportunity for Lapland UAS to engage with partners and involve in ongoing activities with a view to developing new interregional links and successful Horizon Europe funding applications.
Image 1. Vanguard Initiative conference in Kajaani, September 2024. (picture credit: Vanguard Initiative)
There was strong encouragement from the Bioeconomy Pilot’s Chief Operating Officer Ilaria Re, for partners in East and North Finland to attend future networking events, some of which are co-ordinated by the individual demo cases. During this this event, representatives from Bangor University (Wales, UK) and Lapland University of Applied Sciences met and discussed areas for future collaboration linked to the bioeconomy, the Vanguard Initiative and Horizon Europe. The Welsh Government’s Innovation (Innovation Strategy for Wales 2023) and International (International engagement for Wales 2020) Strategies, recognise the importance of regional, national and international collaborations linked to innovation excellence across a wide range of sectors. The BioComposites Centre was established in 1989 and is focused on industrial collaboration linked to the development of biobased products. This collaboration opens up new opportunities in Lapland for joint projects and research initiative.
Interregional collaboration and visit in Lapland
As a continuation of the contact made in Kajaani, Dr Adam Charton from Bangor University arrived in Lapland for a two-day series of site visits, stakeholder meetings and a funding workshop in March 2025. The program, based on Lapland’s S3, UAS strategy and common interests, began with a visit to Ranua, hosted by Mikko Pöykkö, Head of Development at Business Ranua. The meeting summarized recent regional investments, including projects by Northern Finland Biogas Ltd and collaborations with ET Fuels Ltd. EU-funded projects were also discussed, such as the Horizon NURISH -project investigating lake biomass for biogas production. The potential of the lake biomass as an energy source and fertilizer, is also one of the research topics this year, Lapland UAS is focusing on. Through this research, Lapland UAS promotes national and international networks in the bioeconomy sector. These efforts will provide companies in the Lapland region with new innovation opportunities, enhancing their business development and competitiveness.
Following the Business Ranua meeting, the delegation visited Northern Finland Biogas Ltd, owned by 21 local farms. The biogas plant, under construction, received €4.1 million from the Finnish Ministry of Environment, with a total budget of €6.3 million. Production of compressed biogas will begin in autumn 2025, using agricultural waste slurry, lake biomass, and agri-forestry feedstocks. The plant will also produce biochar and fertilizer, supplying heat to the local district network. (Ranua 2024.) The company could be a key partner for Lapland UAS and other partners for future Horizon Europe funding applications related to agri-forestry waste and/or process side streams.
Image 2. Visit in Ranua at Northern Finland Biogas Ltd in March 2025 (picture credit: Anne Saloniemi)
On the second day, Lapland UAS hosted a workshop to explore future collaborative opportunities, including Horizon Europe funding calls. Horizon Europe, which addresses global challenges and European industry competitiveness, offers collaboration opportunities in the forestry sector. Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment) provides funding for building sustainable food systems, protecting biodiversity, and developing circular bio-economy solutions to preserve natural resources and combat climate change. (European Commission 2025). Several Horizon Europe funding opportunities were identified, and work continues through online meetings and visits.
During the two-day period, participants visited various units within Lapland UAS, including the Biolab, Construction Engineering Laboratory, and Frostbit Software Lab, to foster future cooperation. There is significant potential for collaboration between Lapland UAS and Bangor University in bioeconomy research areas such as biotechnology, applied food and mycology research, specialty chemicals, construction materials, and AI applications for digital twinning in forestry and biorefineries.
The visit highlights the importance of interregional, multidisciplinary research to address challenges related to reducing fossil fuel reliance and developing a sustainable bioeconomy. Lapland’s S3 was promoted with Kemin Digipolis Ltd and Natural Resources Institute Finland, strengthening partnerships.
Lapland UAS competence, contribution and strategic choices
Lapland UAS identifies and addresses future challenges through strategic choices and collaboration with various stakeholders, such as research organizations and international networks. Our mission is to generate new knowledge and competence in continuous dialogue with partners to benefit the region, focusing on sustainable forestry and food production. By leveraging Lapland’s unique characteristics, the Lapland UAS ensures the success of the bioeconomy sector while preserving natural resources. (Lapland UAS 2025a.)
Advanced methods for sustainable forestry and logging have been developed, promoting practices that maintain biodiversity and support the circular economy. Research and development in food security and natural products aims in providing innovative solutions and enhancing local food production, including sustainable agricultural practices, reindeer husbandry and agroforestry, and the use of digitalization to improve efficiency.
The university advocates for the multiple use of forests, integrating activities such as recreation, conservation, and sustainable resource extraction, while considering the needs of various industries in the coordination of land use. This holistic approach supports the region’s economic and ecological balance. Circular economy and digitalization are integral to the strategy, with digital tools and processes optimizing resource use and reducing waste, contributing to a more sustainable bioeconomy.
International RDI collaboration is vital for enhancing knowledge and fostering innovation in Lapland. Through these projects, Lapland UAS introduces new innovations, exchanges expertise, and develops solutions tailored to Arctic needs. This cooperation enriches the local research environment, strengthens the region’s capacity to innovate, and improves sustainability and resilience by introducing new technologies and methodologies. For instance, joint projects on sustainable forestry and food production can lead to the adoption of more efficient and environmentally friendly practices, benefiting both the local economy and the ecosystem.
Through international partnerships, Lapland UAS can also access a broader range of funding opportunities and resources, further supporting its strategic initiatives related to Global Arctic responsibility. These collaborations foster a dynamic and interconnected research community, driving progress and ensuring that Lapland remains at the forefront of bioeconomy and Arctic research.
By leveraging these partnerships, Lapland UAS not only advances its own expertise but also provides local businesses with new innovation opportunities, enhancing their business development and competitiveness. This collaborative approach ensures that the region’s bioeconomy continues to grow sustainably, benefiting both the local community and the broader Arctic region.
Overall, the aim is to enhance understanding of the strategic importance of interregional collaboration, the potential for developing new biobased value chains, and the opportunities for securing funding and establishing partnerships to drive innovation and sustainable development.
Sources
European Commission 2025. Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment. https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-6-food-bioeconomy-natural-resources-agriculture-and-environment_en . Accessed on 14.4.2025.
Innovation Strategy for Wales, 2023. https://www.gov.wales/innovation-strategy-wales. Accessed on 26.3.2025.
International engagement for Wales: strategy and delivery plan 2020. https://www.gov.wales/international-engagement-for-wales-strategy-and-delivery-plan. Accessed on 26.3.2025.
Lapin liitto 2023. Laplands´s Sustainable Smart Specialisation Strategy 2023-2027. https://arcticsmartness.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/taittostrategia-eng-webkorj.pdf . Accessed on 26.3.2025.
Lapland UAS 2025a. Strategy and profile. https://lapinamk.fi/en/lapland-uas/strategy-and-profile/ . Accessed on 2.4.2025.
Lapland UAS 2025b. Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu satsaa uudella tavalla soveltavaan tutkimukseen. https://lapinamk.fi/lapin-ammattikorkeakoulu-satsaa-uudella-tavalla-soveltavaan-tutkimukseen/ Accessed on 4.4.2025.
Ranua 2024. Biokaasu. https://ranua.fi/biokaasu/ Accessed on 4.4.2025.
Rissanen, Riitta, 2021. Internationalisation is all-important in success. https://blogi.eoppimispalvelut.fi/lumenlehti/2021/10/27/internationalisation-is-all-important-in-success/. Accessed on 31.3.2025
United Nations 2025. Sustainable Development Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals . Accessed on 28.3.2025.
Vanguard Initiative 2025. https://www.s3vanguardinitiative.eu/ . Accessed on 28.3.2025.
Keywords: bioeconomy, international, partnership