Regional Cohesion and Competitiveness Programme for the Greater Helsinki Area

The Regional Cohesion and Competitiveness Programme for the Greater Helsinki Area (COCO-GHA) 2010 - 2013 is a part of the implementation of the metropolitan area’s competitiveness strategy. The focal points of the metropolitan area’s competitiveness strategy Prosperous metropolis are

1. Improving top-quality education and know-how.
2. Building good quality of life as well as a pleasant and secure living environment.
3. Strengthening user-driven innovation environments and developing public procurements.
4. Internationalisation of the metropolitan area and its connection to global networks.

COCO-GHA is a continuation of the Greater Helsinki Area’s Urban Programme, which was implemented in 2002-09. The aim of COCO-GHA is to improve international competitiveness by promoting innovation and strengthening the Greater Helsinki Area’s competence structures. The programme focuses on joint measures between cities and different-level educational institutions, development organisations and research institutes. The programme will be implemented in the form of development projects.

COCO-GHA serves as a developer, initiator and enabler of resultful regional cooperation involving multiple actors and utilising the means of regional development programmes.

The programme objectives have been defined along four lines of action:

1. Promotion of innovation and the strengthening of competence structures.
2. Opening up and securing career opportunities for highly skilled employees.
3. Supporting the settling in of international experts and companies.
4. Increasing intercultural interaction, communality and cosiness.

The programme area comprises the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen as well as the municipality of Kirkkonummi.

The basic funding of the programme will be covered by the cities of the Greater Helsinki Area (50%) and the State through a provincial development grant channelled through the Uusimaa Regional Council (50%). The estimated cost of the programme totality in its 2010-13 implementation period is €2.4 million. The implementation of the programme will be steered by the COCO-GHA Management Board, whose members will be appointed by the mayors of participating cities. The programme coordination function will be handled by the City of Helsinki Urban Facts unit and its funding will be administered by the Uusimaa Regional Council. The programme answers to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.