There are interesting cross-border policy experiments but there is a need for more strategic and structural policy instruments to fulfil a common vision for the area’s development. Cross-border co-operation in innovation in the Bothnian Arc evolves thanks to the promotional efforts of the Bothnian Arc Association and from a collection of EU Territorial Co-operation (Interreg A) funded projects. There are no dedicated policy instruments corresponding to the vision of the Bothnian Arc, but rather interesting experiments based on grassroots initiatives from key actors - mainly higher education institutions (HEIs) and local authorities. A main issue concerns the possibility to learn from these initiatives to drive the cross-border partnership in fruitful directions and address the barriers revealed by these projects. The key question faced today by actors of the Bothnian Arc is how to evolve from a situation of mutual exchange of information and a collection of externally funded projects towards aligned projects with joint funding from the countries and regions involved, and ultimately, the development of a joint strategy for the cross-border area.
Table 4.7. Cross-border policy instruments: Bothnian Arc
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Instruments
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Presence in the Bothnian Arc
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Strategy and policy development
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Benchmarking and policy learning
Analytical exercise (i.e. mapping of clusters or value
chains, technology foresight exercises)
Joint branding of the cross-border area
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Mayoral collaboration between Oulu and Lulea
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R&D support
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|
Joint public research programmes
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Finnish-Swedish collaboration in the wood sector High Bio project
Vision System Research Platform Oil Research
Prolas (laser-wielding technology)
Nordic Interaction and Mobility Research Platform
Mata Jamt 2 (integrated equality and diversity in the workplace)
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|
Joint research infrastructure, shared access to research facilities
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|
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Cross-border private R&D funding programmes (generic and thematic)
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Increasing Energy Efficiency in Buildings (public-private) SensorBand in Real Life Environment (public-private)
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|
Technology transfer and innovation support
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|
Cross-border innovation advisory services (vouchers, intermediaries)
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Nordic Business Links
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|
Advisory to spin-off and knowledge-intensive start-ups
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Forum for the Industrial Future e-maintenance for industry and SMEs
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|
Other technology transfer centres and extension programmes
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|
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S&T parks and innovation networks
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|
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Cross-border science, technology parks and incubators
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|
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Cluster or network initiatives
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Bothnian Arc Steel and Metal Industry project (research) Filmarc (film industry support; training in creative industries)
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|
Human capital investment
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|
Scholarships/student exchanges
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|
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Joint university or other higher education programmes
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Nordic Mining School InnoPreneurship
Other joint activities (University of Oulu and University of Lulea)
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Talent attraction, retention or mobility schemes and support initiatives (i.e. cross-border placement or information for cross-border commuters)
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|
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Other
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Geography 
