InnoCities’ new coordinator of international affairs Joonas: ”Cities are the most interesting arena for innovation work”

The InnoCities coordination team has been strengthened as Joonas Lindeman started in the role of coordinator of international affairs on January 7, 2026. Joonas will be joining the InnoCities learning trip to Estonia in February, so it will be possible to meet him there for the first time!

The InnoCities coordination team has brought on board Joonas Lindeman to develop European cooperation in sustainable urban development and to enhance the international profile of InnoCities. The role includes, among other things, producing content for European urban developers, monitoring EU urban policy development and funding opportunities, as well as building connections to international networks and EU actors.

What made you interested in the international coordinator position?

I was already drawn to the work of the InnoCities team before the position was even advertised. Applying for the role felt like a natural step. In my previous positions, I’ve particularly enjoyed introducing new ways of thinking that support innovation across geographical and sectoral boundaries — for example, by identifying strategic opportunities. Today’s rapidly changing operating environment — in areas like geopolitics, technological development, and climate change — poses challenges that call for solid partnerships and networks. I want to faciliate these types of connections in the coordinator role. I’m also eager to contribute further to ecosystem-based innovation, because it impacts society’s basic functions, living environments, and the climate. I have a long-standing passion for urban development themes, and I view cities as the most interesting arena for innovation work.

What kind of work background are you coming from to this new role?

Previously, I have mainly worked in strategic foresight and especially focused on innovation and technology issues related to the green transition. In a consultant role, I have helped my clients understand possible future development paths, their relevance and impacts, as well as strategic ways to successfully address these developments, particularly through innovations. I have served various European companies — from some of the largest ones to mid-sized ones — as well as public sector organizations such as cities, regional organizations, and ministries in Finland and Germany. Much of my academic and professional experience I have gathered outside Finland, across Europe.

What does internationality mean to you?

I have lived in four different countries, and a large part of my social circle comes from outside Finland. Internationality has gradually become such a natural part of my biography that I sometimes even forget about it. However, international experience has helped me think more broadly and freely, as well as question conceptions that have become self-evident locally. In various innovation projects, it has been very rewarding to get people to discover opportunities in directions not previously considered. Internationality also means impact: When solving large-scale challenges or building scalable solutions, international contexts quickly become relevant — almost inevitably.

What are you most looking forward to in your new job?

I aim to raise awareness of international opportunities and developments relevant to InnoCities, and to bring people and organizations together to drive impactful change.

What is your favorite city and why?

There are certainly many, but perhaps the densest concentration of them can be found in the Netherlands and Belgium. The region has produced engaging urban development urban development approaches that make sustainable choices easy and even fun. For example, in my old hometown of Enschede, cyclists don’t have to stop to put their trash in small bins—they can throw it straight into a big ‘goal’ at full speed, handball-style. Taking care of trash can thus bring a bit of fun to everyday life, in the spirit of hedonistic sustainability.

Feel free to contact Joonas for all things international!

Contact info

Joonas Lindeman
Coordinator of International Affairs
joonas.lindeman@pirkanmaa.fi
+358 444 222 004