European Partnerships in Focus at Festival in Turku

18.11.2025
News
EPF Paivi Mattila 2 v2

The European Partnership Festival, held on 13 November in Turku, brought together researchers, representatives from universities and universities of applied sciences, as well as actors from industry to discuss how European Partnerships operate and the opportunities they offer for research and innovation.

The festival was organised by TRUEnet – Turku Region Universities EU Network, which consists of the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University, Turku University of Applied Sciences, and Novia University of Applied Sciences. The aim of the network is to strengthen regional cooperation in EU funding, increase visibility, and support the development of larger and more effective projects.

Partnerships as Tools for the Future

European Partnerships are initiatives that unite the European Commission with public and private actors to address major European and global challenges. They are a central part of the Horizon Europe programme and serve as platforms for developing sustainable solutions, strengthening industrial competitiveness, and creating new opportunities for researchers.

Speakers at the event included Professor Anders Brink (Åbo Akademi University), Elina Andersson (Finnish Marine Industries), Isabel Pinto-Seppä (VTT), and Päivi Mattila (Turku University of Applied Sciences).

A panel discussion, with participants from ABB Marine & Ports, Turku University of Applied Sciences, and Åbo Akademi University, addressed both obstacles and opportunities. Challenges mentioned included differences in legislation, resource-intensive funding applications, and limited risk-taking in innovation.

According to TRUEnet representatives, the event provided a much-needed platform for sharing insights and practical knowledge about European Partnerships – and for strengthening the region’s position within the European research landscape.

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