MDI assists the Regional Council of Lapland in updating the regional development plan outlining the desirable development and strategy for the year 2040. The update looks at the impact of grand challenges and megatrends on the chosen vision and development guidelines. The update especially focuses on the competitiveness of local businesses, the regional expertise areas, and the service structure and location of welfare services. According to MDI, becoming or staying as a developing region requires the region both resources and the ability to renew. MDI takes part in the whole process from setting the targets to the final report. The work is due in February 2014.