Pilot projects of the data economy growth programme

Two pilot projects were already selected during the preparation phase of the growth programme. At least one more pilot project will be selected by the end of June 2025.

Automation of the Port of Oulu

The Port of Oulu is the largest general port in the Bay of Bothnia. The port automation project is an important RDI project for business and industry and it will improve security of supply and comprehensive national security. The data economy growth programme supports the port automation project as a national pilot aimed at creating a port automation environment around the operating environment of the new data economy and the ecosystem of those utilising data-based value creation. The implementation life cycle of the pilot project will factor in the potential role of the Port of Oulu in Finland’s NATO cooperation.

The pilot project will also consider the possibility of applying operating models identified in similar international projects, such as the Port of Hamburg. As far as possible, the pilot project will be implemented by using Finnish and European technologies and capabilities.

In addition to data technologies, the project can utilise new data-based technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and technologies enabling the data economy, including the 6G mobile network technology.

Data economy ecosystem of Kainuu

During the discussions on regional development with the Government in 2024, the region of Kainuu proposed that its data centre ecosystem join the data economy growth programme as a national pilot project. 

In the project, a model will be built to show how data centre investments can bring extensive benefits to the regional economy and the country as a whole. This will involve:

• creating a sectoral education module extending from upper secondary level to university
• introducing business and RDI cooperation in the sector
• accelerating the development activities of companies and the establishment of new businesses

Press release of the Regional Council of Kainuu 17 March 2025: Kainuu data centre ecosystem joins the national growth programme as a pilot projectLink to an external website (in Finnish)