Central Finland Defence and Dual-Use Technology Network

Central Finland Defence Network is a value network initiated under the leadership of the City of Jyväskylä, aimed at enabling the co-development and deployment of new innovations for defence and dual-use applications.

Dual-use refers to various products and services that can serve everyday needs while also enhancing security in contingencies. Investing in dual-use capabilities opens new markets for companies, enhances regional vitality, and simultaneously supports the security of society as a whole.

The network brings together stakeholders from defence, research, industry and technology, as well as from the education sector. The network’s collaboration is based on open information sharing, joint projects, and practical implementation.

Image: The Finnish Air Force.

The goal of the value network is to combine expertise from different fields to create new internationally successful defence innovations. The network helps identify partners and supports the development of new business as well as the growth of existing operations in the defence and dual-use sectors.

The Jyväskylä and Central Finland region has strong expertise in the defence sector, as well as specialized skills in areas such as cybersecurity, performance, and the gaming industry. The value network enables the utilization of expertise at the local, national, and international levels. In the long term, the network strengthens the position of regional companies in the defence business, supports the creation of new jobs, enhances regional vitality, and promotes cooperation between cities.

The diverse expertise available in the Central Finland region can be utilized, among other areas, in soldier performance, Arctic resilience, and cybersecurity. The value network is open to all companies and organizations interested in the defence and dual-use sector.

The soldier's performance

The goal is to strengthen the soldier’s physical, mental, and technological readiness, as well as the capability of machines to support human performance even in demanding conditions.

These include:

Soldier physiology and its measurement
Promoting physical and mental performance
Defence materiel planning and development
Strengthening human–machine interaction (MMI)
Measurement and forecasting in capability development

Arctic resilience

The Arctic resilience theme strengthens the ability of society and organizations to operate in crisis situations and extreme conditions.

These include:

Communication in times of crisis
Safeguarding functions critical to security of supply
Lifecycle management of materials and resources in security of supply

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity strengthens the ability of society and organizations to prevent cyber threats, operate during disruptions, and recover from them.

These include:

Protecting critical systems and networks
Development and maintenance of secure technologies and software
User training and increasing cybersecurity awareness to minimize risks
Strengthening cyber resilience
Effective threat identification, analysis, and rapid response to cyberattacks

Be part of a growing network

Companies and organizations operating in the Central Finland region, research and educational institutions, and all stakeholders interested in security topics can join the network.

Join the network

Innovation culture and capabilities

The network deepens collaboration between companies, research institutions, and educational institutions by organizing, among other things, company and school visits as well as joint workshops.

Events and networks

The network increases the visibility and international impact of the Jyväskylä region by organizing defence- and security-themed events and participating in similar events in Finland and across Europe.

Sharing knowledge and needs

The network strengthens understanding of global market practices, NATO standards, and funding channels by providing up-to-date news, briefings, and expert presentations.

Business projects and joint offering

The network promotes the co-development of dual-use products and the creation of joint projects by providing a platform for stakeholders to connect. Members have access to the Howspace platform for communication.

Ongoing now: Current Situation Overview of Finland's Defence Development

The defence development overview brings together the current state of defence, dual-use technologies, and overall security by collecting information on existing networks and expertise in different cities.

The result is a shared framework that supports further development and the utilization of regional strengths to promote Finland’s security, competitiveness, and growth.

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Jyväskylä has entered into an innovation ecosystem agreement with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment for the years 2021-2027. These agreements between the state and university cities outline strategic growth areas and innovation activities for the coming years. The strategic focus areas of Jyväskylä's ecosystem agreement are sports, health promotion, well-being, and renewable industry. The ecosystem agreement supports the city's innovation-driven growth, internationalization, competitiveness, vitality, employment, and expertise. It also strengthens Jyväskylä's reputation as an internationally attractive city for high-level education and research. The agreement aims to contribute to the Finnish government's target of increasing R&D investment from 2.7% to 4% of the gross domestic product by 2030. The Regional Council of Central Finland is the funding body for this agreement.