National Innovation Strategy
The creation of a national innovation strategy forms part of Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen’s Second Cabinet Programme. The strategy seeks to broaden the base of the national innovation policy by seeking economic growth and well-being through productivity in public services and quality of working life, as well as through private sector competitiveness. Innovation policy influences the competence-based competitiveness and renewal of the business sector, national economy and regions.
Government's report on innovation policy
The innovation strategy's preparation was open, being based on some 800 views contributed by experts, stakeholders and citizens through workshops and the Internet. On the basis of these, the steering group led by Esko Aho prepared a proposal for a national innovation strategy. In the light of forces for change and international development trends, this proposal raised issues which should be taken into account or overhauled under Finland's innovation policy and measures. When innovation is affected by an economic downturn, pressures for change become particularly important. They are also highlighted when creating the preconditions for new needs and the related demand and growth with a view to the ensuing economic recovery.
On the basis of the above proposal, the Government's innovation policy report was prepared by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and its successor, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. In October 2008 the Government accepted this report, which includes the strategic lines along which Finland's national innovation policy and environment will be developed.
Consideration by Parliament
Having deliberated the Government's innovation policy report on the basis of a submission by the Commerce Committee, Parliament lent its support to the innovation activity objectives set forth in the report. However, the current system is hampered by a plethora of programme, organisational and innovation policy tools, and the related, partial overlaps. Investments should therefore be judiciously directed, since the innovation policy must be capable of meeting both national and global challenges affecting Finland.
Parliament proposes that during the spring of 2010 the Government present it with a report on the measures it, the Government, intends to take in order to implement the innovation policy. In addition, Parliament further proposes that the required resources be set aside for the policy's implementation and research funding be raised towards a 4 per cent share of GDP, in line with the Government programme.
Tasks and focal points
The basis of the innovation strategy provides the lines along which Finland's national innovation policy will be developed. Key new and changing tasks, required for a broad-based innovation policy within an open, global operating environment, are presented in the strategy's action plan. Together with the current strengths of the innovation environment, they form an entity based on which Finland can establish itself as a productive and attractive innovation environment.
Evaluation
An international evaluation of Finland's innovation system was completed in October 2009, based on the innovation strategy. This evaluation includes recommendations for the reform of the innovation system's structures.
International evaluation of Finnish National Innovation System
