“KEKE – Boosting Sustainable Food Sector in Kymenlaakso” is an ambitious development and cooperation project that implements the food sector's growth leap and related investments in laboratory facilities. Its main goal is to strengthen the regions vitality and diversify its economic structure by creating business opportunities and jobs for the sector. The specific objectives are - to increase RDI cooperation and know-how in the field, - promote sustainable food production and make more versatile use of raw materials from nature, - support companies' renewal, ability to change and growth-oriented value development, and - increase the added value of products and promote the internationalisation potential of the food and drink companies in the region. The project is implemented as a joint project of the main applicant Kouvola Innovation Ltd and the partners Xamk (South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences), LUT University, Eduko (Kouvola Vocational Institute Ltd) and ProAgria Southern Finland. New food sector trainings in the region and laboratory investments carried out by Xamk, Eduko and LUT in a parallel investment project will both bring a special boost to the project. The Finnish Forest Institute is participating in the project as a co-operating partner. The development project is divided into seven synergic work packages: WP1 COOPERATION AND ECOSYSTEM, with the aim of ensuring smooth implementation and cooperation, developing synergy opportunities across industry boundaries (e.g., packaging industry, logistics, circular economy) and intensifying and diversifying cooperation between operators, as well as developing an innovative operating model for the network. WP2 ACTIVATION AND BUSINESS KNOW-HOW, with the aim of activating companies for cooperation, advice and support, as well as acquiring and sharing the latest information WP3 PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATIONS, with the aim of conceptualising and launching new innovation environments built through laboratory investments, strengthening research, testing and product development cooperation at the business interface, developing new innovations and engaging students in business cooperation and the region WP4 VALUE NETWORK OF NATURAL PRODUCTS, with the aim of increasing the multiple use of forests and building a value network of natural products WP5 TECHNOLOGY, PROCESS AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, with the aim to develop and utilise new technologies, heading towards forerunner position WP6 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FOOD SECTOR, with the aims to encourage operators to promote environmental sustainability and reduce environmental impacts WP7 VISIBILITY, EVENTS AND INTERNATIONALITY, with the aim of increasing the recognition and visibility of the Kymenlaakso’s food sector, strengthening international networks, and making more efficient use of international funding sources KEKE responds to the goals of Kymenlaakso's regional transition plan by investing especially in diversification of the regional economy and creation of new business opportunities and jobs. New growth is sought from the emerging food sector and the increase in the added value of products, as well as strengthening the skills of companies and the development organisations who support them. The growth and renewal of companies is supported by investing in RDI activities. The testing and analysis services and other know-how of Xamk, LUT and Eduko are supporting the companies' experiments, piloting and product development as well as increasing the internationalisation potential, developed in close cooperation with Kinno and ProAgria. Direct support for actual peat operators is implemented by search of alternative utilisation methods for land areas and equipment. The investments made in the project, increasing competence and building a cooperation model for the network will enable strengthening of technology-based RDI cooperation in the food and natural products sector in Kymenlaakso and its growth-oriented value development, as well as increasing the recognition and attractiveness of the sector. Product development and the entire value chain from initial production to trade and consumers will be reviewed. The productivity of the sector will be improved by the comprehensive involvement of the value network and shift from selling merely raw materials to gaining added and processing value. Particularly noteworthy is the systematic construction of the value network of natural products, which brings opportunities to stand out in the competition and has significant export potential. At the same time, the food sector's resilience will be strengthened and earning opportunities diversified.