The 6Aika strategy office project is part of the implementation of the 6Aika strategy for the six cities (Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Tampere, Turku and Oulu). The strategy is a sustainable urban development strategy for the Structural Funds programming period (based on an integrated territorial strategy, ITI= Integrated Territorial Investment). The implementation of the strategy will involve several ERDF and ESF projects. The focus areas of the strategy are Open Data, Open Innovation Platforms and Open Inclusion. The Ministry of Employment and the Economy approved the strategy on 9 June 2014.6The task of the Aika Strategy Office project is to ensure that the national implementation and cooperation of the strategy proceeds in accordance with the decisions of the 6Aika Steering Group and the guidance of the 6Aika Steering Group. In addition, the aim is to compile and disseminate good practices, solutions and tools for projects implementing 6Aika strategy for other actors. The project contributes to the nationally recognised need to strengthen sustainable urban development by deepening and expanding cooperation in the innovation activities of the six largest cities. The aim is to create open operating models that enable the participation of all actors, which contribute to the emergence of innovations and productivity growth. 6Aika strategy measures will result in innovation hubs based on the common strengths of six cities. Cooperation and networks between the various actors — urban organisations, research and development organisations, the third sector and industry — strengthen the framework conditions and effective results of research, knowledge and innovation. The aim is to develop and test new operating models that systematically integrate the innovation potential of enterprises and research and education organisations into the new innovation operating model of six cities. The task of the Strategic Office project is to take responsibility for national and city-specific coordination of 6A Time strategy, as well as activation, networking and communication tasks. The project also has the task of mainstreaming all horizontal principles in 6Time activities and projects. Project actors are instructed on how to bring the principles of project preparation, application and project implementation into line with practice.