The University of Vaasa and the Institute of Strategy and Development of the Chinese Academy of Science (Chinese Academy of Science — Institute of Strategy and Development) founded the Finland-China TTI Centre in August 2017. The aim of the project is to develop an operating model for the Finnish-China TTI Centre of the University of Vaasa, which enables it to be built into a think tank that promotes cross-country RDI cooperation in the Ostrobothnia region. The Centre’s vision is to become the leading think tank in the Nordic countries, which supports networking and RDI cooperation between companies and universities. The TTI Centre further promotes the development of policy-level cooperation in Europe and China by seeking solutions to environmental and societal challenges by strengthening the economic well-being of the region. The centre strengthens the innovation ecosystem of Ostrobothnia by promoting RDI cooperation, interaction and networking between the five Chinese regions selected for the provincial project. The main areas of cooperation are innovative solutions related to the transformation of the energy sector and digital manufacturing, both of which have significant research and business opportunities. The objective of the project is:(1) Support networking and RDI cooperation (research, development, innovation) with Chinese companies operating in the selected geographical areas of cooperation in the region of Ostrobothnia.(2) Encourage the internationalisation and export of higher education in the Province of Ostrobothnia by designing and building links between the University of Vaasa (UVA) Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK) and Novia University of Applied Sciences (Novia UAS) and Chinese universities identified as relevant partners. In addition, vocational training in the region of Ostrobothnia can be presented in the co-operation areas of the project in China. (3) Produce new research data on internationally oriented demand- and user-driven regional innovation strategy and develop a research network between Finland and China in the area of science, technology and innovation policy. At the same time, policy makers in Ostrobothnia and in cooperation regions in China to develop new solutions related to regional innovation policy and demand-driven and user-driven innovation strategy to strengthen interregional RDI cooperation(4) Establish a platform to support the participation of citizens (citizens’ groups), students and other actors in promoting energy sector renewal and RDI cooperation between Finland and China.The project will be implemented from 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2020. The project’s development work is organised in five work packages: (1) development of business networks and new RDI openings, (2) Development of plans for the internationalisation of higher education and export of education, (3) Development of innovation policy, (4) Strengthening the participation of citizens and (5) Impact analysis.The project’s main target groups include internationally oriented, growth-oriented SMEs in the Ostrobothnia region, as well as regional universities, higher education institutions and vocational schoolsThe indirect target groups of the project are decision-makers and officials from cities, municipalities and other public organisations, as well as students, organisations, citizens’ groups and individual citizens, as well as organisations which, through their own activities, contribute to the region’s economic life and its development. Indirect target groups also include regional business companies, provincial parliamentarians and members of the EU Parliament. The indirect target groups also include Chinese companies, decision-makers and public actors in five Chinese cooperation regions, as well as individual citizens interested in new products and services based on energy transition/sustainable development and safeguarding economic prosperity. The smart specialisation model in Ostrobothnia can be seen as a systematic way of pursuing a technology-driven innovation strategy. In addition, the proposed project aims to develop a systematic way of implementing a demand-driven and user-driven innovation strategy in the Ostrobothnia region, which will serve as a platform for new value creation arising from the interaction between Finnish and Chinese participants.The main results of the project are:1)Report on the current state of cooperation between companies in China2. A strategic roadmap, which defines and describes the objectives for developing business networks and new RDI openings over a period of 3-5 years. measures and potential funding channels3)2-3 new Business Finland-funded projects — in particular BF’s Finland-China calls for joint RDI-projects (if current funding channels remain unchanged)4)A concise, popularised report on China’s RDI opportunities for SMEs — distribution through e.g. Viexpo, Merinova, VASEK5)