How InnoCities are building a safe and competitive Finland

The concept of comprehensive security means advance preparation for societal disruptions and crises. It comprises more than just threat prevention: it is also an opportunity to build sustainable and competitive cities.

Comprehensive security protects society’s vital functions: psychological resilience, leadership, international and EU activities, defence capability, internal security, economy, infrastructure and security of supply, as well as the functional capacity and services of the population. Foresight ensures the continuity of vital functions in all circumstances and requires strategic planning, coordination, procurements, and cooperation. In other words, it is a much more extensive concept than just “resilience”.

According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, 38% of Finns living in cities feel that the urban services that need the most improvement were related to security and safety. Even more so, the respondents wished to see improvements in public services – such as health care – which also plays a vital role in the field of comprehensive security.

The majority of measures related to comprehensive security take place locally. As slightly more than half of the Finnish population live in the InnoCities, it is not irrelevant how they tackle comprehensive security. In addition, InnoCities are significant clusters of services and security companies.

Turning long tradition into business

Preparation similar to that described in the comprehensive security model has already been practised in Finland for around two decades. Some of our specialities include general conscription that has endured throughout Finland’s whole independence, the National Emergency Supply Agency established in the early 1990s, civil defence shelters, and active organisational activities.

Trust in the authorities and other people support preparedness and security exercises. If an authority gives instructions to go into a civil defence shelter, it is likely that citizens obey in good understanding. In a democratic country, cooperation between the state, the city and companies is also trusting and natural. Finland has its own challenges in recognising the business potential of familiar practices and commercialising them.

Safety innovation in cities

The seven InnoCities updated their ecosystem agreements at the beginning of the year. Many added security spearheads to their ecosystem development. More than half of the cities have highlighted security in their ecosystem agreements. In addition to comprehensive security, the agreements mention dual-use technologies, cyber security, food security, energy self-sufficiency, and security of supply.

The basic idea is still the same: cities can accelerate the development activities of companies and higher education institutions while building better-functioning cities.

In Kuopio, the City and Savonia University of Applied Sciences are building an operating model for a centre of excellence in comprehensive security. It will be a national network of experts focusing on international cooperation. The total value of projects linked to the theme of comprehensive security in the region is approximately EUR 20 million. The key areas are health, food, climate, and water safety.

In Lapland, long land borders with Norway, Sweden and Russia and increasing tourist flows motivate cooperation in security networks. The safety network in Lapland meets regularly to tackle practical issues. Many actors, from the Ministry of the Interior to associations, are involved in the network. Its list of development targets includes at least safety communications in tourism as well as simulations and safety exercises.

Jyväskylä has a long history in the defence industry, as well as in cyber security and performance improvement. The city has several non-defence industry companies that have the potential to participate in security-related innovation activities, for example through dual use technologies.  The Arctic Performance Network helps companies accumulate new expertise and commercial success, for example through open information sharing, market opportunities and various projects.

There are more than 30 defence industry companies in Tampere and the turnover of companies in the security sector is over one billion EUR per year. Companies in the sector are also actively recruiting. In addition, the city is a pioneer in mobile machinery technology and education of engineers. The new chip pilot line will contribute to supporting technological independence. Pirkanmaa is also home to a safety and security cluster which consists of authorities, researchers, experts, and influential businesses. The network supports cooperation between companies and research activities.

Closer cooperation needed

Finland has several national and regional security networks. Despite comprehensive networks, discussion in cities continues to circle back to closer cooperation in the sector’s ecosystems, helping companies to become part of the value and subcontracting chains of the defence sector, and attracting companies in the sector to open locations in Finland. This means, for example, supporting companies in the use of testing and development platforms and identifying opportunities for cooperation.

The national security ecosystem has its own strengths in different areas. Well-targeted cooperation supports RDI activities in companies and contributes to urban safety.

Main image: The InnoCities network visited the Savilahti Sports and Event Center Luola in Kuopio on June 11. In a crisis situation, Luola serves as a shelter for 6,700 people.