Ideas to Innovations Pathway: Growth Platform in Ostrobothnia

The aim of the project is to support regional employment, especially for those at risk of social exclusion, by providing entrepreneurship training and a concrete opportunity to transition into entrepreneurship in the metal industry. Without external support, expertise, and funding, the design and production of innovations would not be possible.

Innovations in the metal industry are vital for the development of the region’s economy. The Ideas to Innovations Pathway: Growth Platform in Ostrobothnia project provides a pathway for turning product ideas into tangible prototypes. Small local businesses and individuals can bring their own ideas into the project, where the University of Oulu and Centria University of Applied Sciences support the innovation, design, and evaluation process, while JEDU facilitates the practical implementation.

The project is carried out in collaboration with local educational institutions, other organizations, and businesses. It aims to create new job and entrepreneurship opportunities in the region. The project supports innovative entrepreneurship and reskilling in Just Transition areas.

The development of product innovations in the metal sector enhances regional resilience and strengthens the growth potential of local businesses. At the same time, it helps individuals at risk of social exclusion integrate into the labor market and improves their readiness to pursue entrepreneurship. The project seeks to reduce structural unemployment and leverage the region’s existing metal industry expertise while offering opportunities for innovative product development. With JTF (Just Transition Fund) funding, a new educational pathway can be created that combines creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship—supporting the region’s economic renewal and offering new livelihoods for people at risk of exclusion.

The project also aims to promote long-term competence development and the creation of a sustainable operating model that enables regional growth beyond the project’s end. Through the project, a collaborative network and a sustainable development model will be established, which can continue in the future through cooperation among local educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations.

Centria University of Applied Sciences as a Project Partner

Centria acts as a co-implementer in the project and is responsible for Work Package 2, which supports individuals at risk of social exclusion in finding employment through entrepreneurship and career coaching. The activities of this work package are implemented in collaboration with JEDU.

• In Work Package 0, Centria participates in project management and communication as a co-implementer.
• In Work Package 1, Centria contributes to building and maintaining the collaboration network by utilizing its existing contacts and networks, and participates in the organization of events and meetings.
• In Work Package 3, Centria is involved in the development of manufacturing environments for innovations. Centria has strong expertise in product development and the planning of the process from idea to prototype from an expert perspective. Staff at Centria will also update their skills in using equipment and in producing innovation prototypes.
• In Work Package 4, the focus is on refining product ideas from local companies and private individuals. Centria’s experts support the product development activities taking place within this work package.
• In Work Package 5, Centria participates in the design of learning modules and is responsible for themes related to intellectual property protection.