{"id":511,"date":"2024-10-22T15:25:06","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T12:25:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tampere.eu\/?p=511"},"modified":"2024-10-22T16:57:08","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T13:57:08","slug":"apulaispormestari-helimo-strasbourgissa-kilpailukyvyn-keskiossa-ovat-paras-osaaminen-ja-toimiva-rahoitus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tampere.eu\/en\/apulaispormestari-helimo-strasbourgissa-kilpailukyvyn-keskiossa-ovat-paras-osaaminen-ja-toimiva-rahoitus\/","title":{"rendered":"Deputy Mayor Matti Helimo in Strasbourg: The core of competitiveness lies in top expertise and effective financing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During the Eurocities Summit in Strasbourg, Deputy mayor Matti Helimo emphasized the importance of both education and the smooth operation of EU funding, which facilitates cooperation, networking, and the sharing of best practices and innovations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matti Helimo<\/strong> pointed out that the majority of Europe’s growth originates in cities, which serve as platforms for development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A prime example is the international Open and Agile Smart Cities (OASC) network<\/a>, in which all six major Finnish cities are members. The network has become a trusted partner of the European Commission in developing smart city solutions. A recent example of leveraging the OASC network in Tampere is the x-CITE project<\/a>, which is led by the city and funded by the Digital Europe Programme with \u20ac6.5 million. The project aims to develop a city-level metaverse, or CitiVerse, to promote citizen participation, well-being, and community engagement,” Helimo explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cities are at the center of European growth, Deputy Mayor of Tampere Matti Helimo reminded in Strasbourg.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Helimo also highlighted Tampere’s example of creating commercialized export products, making use of Horizon Europe\u2019s so-called \u201cPillar II\u201d partnership funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Related to the EU’s Urban Initiative, the City of Tampere recently concluded a successful multi-million euro project to enhance event safety, with partners such as Insta<\/a> and Nokia<\/a>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It is crucial to ensure that the previous EU programming period’s ‘Urban Innovative Actions’ and the current ‘European Urban Initiative’ programs continue, and that the funding mechanisms remain flexible and stable.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collaboration between educational institutions and businesses drives success<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the core of European competitiveness are the best expertise and the best experts. A high-quality education system and attracting top talent are among our most important goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Strasbourg hosts the summit of mayors of Eurocities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“I want to emphasize the role of programs like Erasmus in fostering internationalization, from early childhood education and primary schools to higher education. Closer collaboration with universities and other educational institutions helps anchor skilled professionals in the region\u2019s businesses,” Helimo noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Promoting well-being remains a key responsibility for cities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

European cities also face common challenges, with individual well-being at the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The EU provides various frameworks to promote well-being, through both funding and regulation. Cities across Europe face shared issues, such as physical inactivity, loneliness, mental health problems, segregation, and the polarization of values.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“In building smart cities, we aim to improve the quality of life for residents through digitalization. This can involve digital cultural services, creating more flexible and personalized public services, or building smart city infrastructure, such as intelligent transportation systems that reduce congestion and pollution.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooperation between cities delivers results<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Tampere, Turku, and Oulu are Finland’s six largest cities, home to around two million Finns. These cities account for over 40% of Finland\u2019s jobs and more than half of the country’s GDP. These cities are part of Eurocities<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n