Forest Joensuu – Internationally Awarded Forest Bioeconomy Innovation Network

Our business-friendly region provides an excellent environment for growing innovative ideas, businesses and investments. Business Joensuu is your partner for growth and international expansion. Together with our networks, we provide strong expertise and up-to-date information about the business environment and growth opportunities.

Business Joensuu operates in the Joensuu region and Central Karelia — an area of nine municipalities, 125,000 residents and 7,500 companies. We provide services for business startups, growth and internationalisation, investments and business relocation, as well as workspace and event services at Joensuu Science Park. In addition, we are responsible for the regional tourism marketing brand VisitKarelia.

The European Forest Institute (EFI) strengthens international cooperation and networking related to forests while promoting the sharing of impartial and decision-relevant information about forests and forestry.

EFI also supports forest research and promotes the use of science-based knowledge in forest-related decision-making and policy development.

The University of Eastern Finland is Finland’s most multidisciplinary science university. The Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology addresses global challenges through high-level multidisciplinary research and education. Sustainable forest management and utilisation require broad scientific and professional expertise.

Forest sciences are the university’s most international academic field. The School of Forest Sciences works closely with forest industry stakeholders, and its research represents international top-level excellence.

The City of Joensuu actively supports the development of the regional forest expertise cluster through communication cooperation, advocacy and urban planning. The city also provides forests, urban environments and buildings for research, development and innovation activities.

Forests have always played an important role in Joensuu. The city is Finland’s fourth-largest municipal forest owner. Today, Joensuu — the Forest Capital of Europe — is a vibrant regional centre surrounded by thriving forests, where forestry education, world-class research, practical expertise and business come together.

Joensuu offers extensive opportunities for forest-related careers and education. Forests also play an important role in the wellbeing, health and quality living environment of residents.

Karelia University of Applied Sciences educates forestry engineers and wood construction professionals in close cooperation with working life and industry. The development of the forest sector requires new perspectives for forest utilisation, and the industry continuously needs new expertise and innovative solutions.

Karelia University of Applied Sciences is a Finnish pioneer in wood construction and low-carbon building expertise.

The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is a research and expert organisation operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland. Luke produces knowledge-based solutions and services and creates added value for sustainable and competitive business based on renewable natural resources.

Luke also supports societal decision-making related to natural resources and the bioeconomy through research-based knowledge.

The Finnish Forest Centre provides open forest and nature data as well as impartial services to support forest owners’ decision-making and the wider forest sector. Its objective is to promote the sustainable use of forests while recognising their multiple values.

As a public authority, the Finnish Forest Centre supervises forest legislation and grants support for forest and nature management. It helps forest owners gain both economic and non-material value from forests and brings together stakeholders to develop sustainable forest and nature management practices.

The Regional Council of North Karelia plans, coordinates and finances regional development together with other regional stakeholders. The council is also responsible for regional land-use planning and strategic spatial development. 

Riveria, the North Karelia Municipal Education and Training Consortium, educates professionals for a wide range of forestry sector roles. Graduates can work as forestry machine operators and mechanics, timber truck drivers, forest workers, forest service providers and forestry entrepreneurs.