Creative Networks - for growth and digital transformation

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Sweden-Finland-Norway (AURORA)

Date of latest update: 2026-03-11

Description

Description (EN):

The project strengthens the competitiveness and cross-border collaboration of SMEs in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) by enhancing business support structures, accelerating digital transformation, and establishing a sustainable incubator network in the Interreg Aurora region. Through structured cooperation between Sweden, Finland, and Norway, the project creates long-term conditions for innovation, market access, and knowledge-sharing, ensuring a stronger and more resilient CCI sector. The project is structured into key phases that ensure a logical progression from capacity-building to long-term sustainability. Initially, business support organizations receive targeted training and develop tailored tools to enhance SME development. The next phase establishes a cross-border incubator network, fostering long-term collaboration and digital integration between incubators. In parallel, the project produces a cross-border index and report, offering data-driven insights and policy recommendations to strengthen sector-specific strategies. To ensure lasting impact, the project embeds its outcomes into regional development strategies through jointly developed action plans, formal agreements, and publicly accessible knowledge-sharing mechanisms. By creating a structured and scalable ecosystem for business support, the project directly contributes to Interreg Auroras Specific Objective 1.2, ensuring that SMEs in CCIs gain access to sustainable growth opportunities, enhanced digital capabilities, and a stronger position in international markets.

Expected Achievements (EN):

The project strengthens SME competitiveness and cross-border collaboration in cultural and creative industries by improving business support, driving digital transformation, and creating a sustainable incubator network in the Interreg Aurora region. It addresses fragmented support, limited market access, and slow digital adoption by providing SMEs with resources, funding, and expert guidance. Through training, mentorship, and pilot initiatives, SMEs develop innovative business models and digital solutions. Their digital skills are strengthened by integrating AI, data-driven strategies, and new business models. The project fosters knowledge exchange and capacity-building, helping SMEs adopt new technologies, scale, and expand internationally. Indigenous Sámi knowledge and perspectives are combined with modern business strategies, fostering sustainable entrepreneurship. A lasting framework ensures business support structures, digital tools, and innovation-driven growth continue.

Website: https://www.interregaurora.eu

Thematic information

ICT and digital society Social inclusion and equal opportunities SME and entrepreneurship

Priority: (VI-A_S-FI-N_1) Smart and sustainable growth

Priority specific objective: RSO1.3. Enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs, including by productive investments

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 026 Support for innovation clusters including between businesses, research organisations and public authorities and business networks primarily benefiting SMEs

Partners (5)

Lead Partner: Uminova eXpression AB

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 5569334328

Address: ÖSTRA STRANDGATAN 32, 903 33 UMEÅ, Sweden

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Total budget: EUR 520 946.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 338 615.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 182 331.00

Lead Partner: KUNNSKAPSPARKEN BODØ AS

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 984047320

Address: Sjøgata 15/17, 8006 BODØ, Norway

Legal status: n/a

Organisation type: N.a.

Total budget: EUR 198 247.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 99 124.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 99 123.00

Oulun yliopisto

Name: Oulun yliopisto

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 0245895-5

Address: Pajatie 5, UPPGIFT SAKNAS Nivala, Finland

Legal status: n/a

Organisation type: N.a.

Total budget: EUR 303 547.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 197 306.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 106 241.00

Oy Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu - Vasa yrkeshögskola Ab

Name: Oy Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu - Vasa yrkeshögskola Ab

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 2267669-3

Address: Wolffskavägen 30, 65200 Vasa, Finland

Legal status: n/a

Organisation type: N.a.

Total budget: EUR 383 589.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 249 333.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 65.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 134 256.00

NORD UNIVERSITET

Name: NORD UNIVERSITET

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 970940243

Address: Universitetsalléen 11, 8026 BODØ, Norway

Legal status: n/a

Organisation type: N.a.

Total budget: EUR 199 626.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 99 813.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 50.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 99 813.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

University of Oulu

Creative Networks - for growth and digital transformation

Partners and Projects info

Uminova eXpression AB

Creative Networks - for growth and digital transformation

Partners and Projects info

Oy Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu - Vasa yrkeshögskola Ab

Creative Networks - for growth and digital transformation

Partners and Projects info

NORD UNIVERSITET

Creative Networks - for growth and digital transformation

Partners and Projects info

KUNNSKAPSPARKEN BODØ AS

Creative Networks - for growth and digital transformation

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Creative Networks - for growth and digital transformation

Project acronym: 20376817.0

Project ID: 20376817.0

Project start date: 2026-03-01

Project end date: 2028-12-31

Project status: ongoing

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 208 082.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 785 254.00

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 65.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Sverige, UMEÅ, ÖSTRA STRANDGATAN 32, 903 33

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Sweden-Finland-Norway (AURORA)

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-03

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

162 / 162 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

650 / 650 (100%)

Notes on the data

Languages

Contact Form

Creative Networks - for growth and digital transformation

Description

Thematic information

Partners (5)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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