The Centre of Excellence for Comprehensive Security is an expert organisation being built in Kuopio, Finland. The Centre gathers information related to the theme, connects stakeholders, conducts research, develops and provides training, and supports various actors in actions and decision-making related to comprehensive security.
Why a Centre of Excellence for Comprehensive Security?
Our operating environment has changed significantly. We are living in a global era of polycrises. Cities & municipalities are facing new needs in developing and managing preparedness in their own regions, as well as in responding to global security challenges.
Businesses must also be able to maintain continuity during disruptions. In addition, continuous research and development related to comprehensive security is needed to enable companies to effectively seize new business opportunities.
The Finnish government has also identified comprehensive security as a central new theme in regional development objectives. Comprehensive security is a key theme in the Security Strategy for Society published by the Finnish Security Committee in January 2025. There is a clear need to integrate the perspectives of comprehensive security and security of supply into regional development and into strengthening regional vitality.
What Finland currently lacks is a national, practical, operational actor that brings together and refines the country’s strengths — an entity that centrally compiles the latest knowledge and solutions related to comprehensive security in one place.
Why Kuopio?
The region has developed a broad base of expertise, RDI activities, and businesses aimed at addressing challenges related to comprehensive security and security of supply. Furthermore, the innovation ecosystems of North Savo’s key industries both demand and offer significant potential for solutions related to comprehensive security.
Establishing the Centre of Excellence for Comprehensive Security in Kuopio has also been identified as a key action in the Eastern Finland Programme.
The Centre of Excellence for Comprehensive Security is being developed through a collaboration between Savonia University of Applied Sciences and the City of Kuopio. Its aim is to strengthen the crisis resilience of citizens, organisations, and civil society.
The preparatory work of the Centre is supported by the Regional Council of Pohjois-Savo with funding from the European Regional Development Fund for the period 1 October 2024 – 30 September 2026.
The total budget of the project is €700,000.
For further information, please contact:
Project Leader,
Dr. Pia Viklund
+358 44 785 6132, pia.viklund@savonia.fi
