INPUT PAPER Clusters meet Regions event in Vaasa Finland: Clusters as Drivers of the Green Industrial Transition

The following paper has been prepared in the context of the Clusters meet Regions event taking place in Vaasa, Finland, on 24–25 September 2025. The event is organised by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) on behalf of the European Commission, in collaboration with the Technology Centre Merinova, the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia, the Regional Development Company VASEK, the City of Vaasa, Viexpo, and the University of Vaasa. The event aims to explore the role of clusters in advancing the green industrial transition. With a strong focus on energy technology, digitalisation, and clean solutions, it highlights how clusters drive industrial transformation, strengthen competitiveness and support the twin transition. The paper presents an overview of the economic and innovation profile of Western Finland and Ostrobothnia, outlines the cluster landscape and its contribution to regional development as well as green and digital transition, and examines the role of clusters in cross-border cooperation and participation in European support initiatives. Finally, it analyses how clusters contribute to the implementation of Ostrobothnia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3). By identifying strengths, ongoing initiatives, and potential directions for future policy, the paper aims to support discussions among policymakers, cluster organisations, SMEs and other regional stakeholders during the event.