Blue Economy Mikkeli

The Ministry of Labor and the Economy has signed an innovation activity ecosystem agreement for the years 2021–2027 with the city of Mikkeli. Ecosystem agreements are part of the government’s efforts to make Finland the world’s most functional experiment and innovation environment by 2030. The agreements develop ecosystems of innovation activity, i.e. tight cooperation networks, strengthen the know-how and increase the effectiveness of research, development and innovation activities. 

Mikkeli is one of the InnoCities in Finland implementing ecosystem agreements. InnoCities support and promote new ways of thinking and act as pioneers of change. The goal is to expedite the reform of trade and industry and to improve people’s lives in urban environments. InnoCities support innovation and engage in the practical application of research and pilots. More information: innokaupungit.fi/en  

The ecosystem agreement of the City of Mikkeli focuses on the circular economy of municipal waters. A Center of Excellence – Blue Economy Mikkeli (BEM) has been built in the city.  

Strengths of Blue Economy Mikkeli:

The Capital of Clean Water

The basis of the BEM is created by the city’s new wastewater treatment plant and its RDI facilities, the RDI activities of LUT University and Southeastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, as well as well-equipped laboratories and pilot plants. BEM offers companies opportunities to safely test their equipment and solutions in a real and modern treatment plant environment and create new business. Special attention is paid to promoting the digitalization of water supply. 

BEM Center of Excellence is part of the city’s strategic circular economy development platform, EcoSairila, which focuses on the community’s waste streams. The vision of BEM is to develop into the nationally best-known and internationally significant water industry cluster that produces solutions to the world’s water problems.