The regional DEFINE ecosystem coordinated by the City of Riihimäki has been accepted as a member of the ENDR cooperation network (European Network of Defence-Related Regions) of the European Commission and European defence sector actors. The ENDR network was established in 2016 by the European Commission. It accepts as members European regions, clusters and organisations that are strong pioneers in the defence sector.

The aim of the network is to increase the growth and internationalisation of defence companies, promote dual-use technologies and support actors in the field in applying for EU funding, which helps to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs in particular. The network’s activities are funded through the European Defence Fund (EDF), and it currently has 63 members from 23 European Union member states, as well as from Norway.

“The City of Riihimäki and DEFINE, with the City of Hämeenlinna and Forssan Yrityskehitys as their partners, are taking a significant step towards international cooperation in the defence sector in their work with company partners,” says Toni K. Laine, Regional Mayor of Häme.

“This membership opens up new opportunities for the development of the entire Kanta-Häme region and also highlights Finland’s strong role as a pioneer in strengthening Europe’s defence sector,” Toni K. Laine continues.

The network’s key tasks are to improve cooperation and the exchange of information between regional organisations and clusters in order to develop dual-use defence technologies, to provide information on funding opportunities such as the European Defence Fund and the European Structural and Investment Funds, and to promote the development of regional clusters of excellence in the defence industry and defence research.

“When we laid the cornerstone of the DEFINE project just over a year ago, we wrote into our vision the goal of creating an internationally high-level defence and security network. ENDR membership gives fine concrete form to DEFINE’s international dimension, and we can be proud of the invitation to this prestigious forum launched by the Commission,” says a delighted Jouni Eho, Mayor of Riihimäki.

The representatives of Kanta-Häme met Sylvia Kainz-Huber, Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space, at the annual meeting of the ENDR network in Brussels on 11 December 2024.

“The European Commission warmly welcomes DEFINE and the defence sector actors of Kanta-Häme to the ENDR network,” says Sylvia Kainz-Huber.

DEFINE is a unique innovation ecosystem for the defence and security sector

DEFINE, or Defence Innovation Network Finland, is a project launched by the City of Riihimäki that brings together top experts from the defence and security sector and the civilian side into a network and an innovation ecosystem.

The aim is to create internationally significant innovations that benefit military use and society as a whole in equal measure.

Riihimäki has been chosen as the centre of the activities thanks to its strong expertise. The city is home to, among other things, the Finnish Defence Forces’ competence cluster for cyber security and digitalisation, where research is carried out, experts are trained and new solutions are developed. In addition, significant defence and security companies such as Millog Oy and Sako Oy operate in the area.

The Riihimäki unit of Häme University of Applied Sciences supports the network by providing high-quality technical education, and the city is known for its unique robotics education path from daycare all the way to a higher education degree.

“The DEFINE network’s joining of the ENDR cooperation comes at an excellent time, as defence and security are also a key and strengthening priority of the European Union. The importance of the defence sector and its EU funding will grow in the coming years,” states Krista Taipale, Director of the Häme EU Office.

“Membership in the ENDR network offers a significant opportunity to make use of the resources provided by the Union for research, development and growing the business of companies in the sector,” Krista Taipale emphasises.

The DEFINE network offers companies opportunities for growth and development

The regional DEFINE network brings together the Defence Forces, companies, educational institutions and research institutes to accelerate innovation and development activities. The aim is to promote the competitiveness of the participants and to grow the companies’ turnover.

DEFINE’s activities are funded by the City of Riihimäki, Häme University of Applied Sciences, the City of Hämeenlinna, Forssan Yrityskehitys Oy, Millog Oy and Sako Oy. In addition, a significant share of the funding comes from the EU’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The EU funding has been granted by the Regional Council of Häme.