Evaluation of the Growth and Internationalization of Water Expertise Programme and Support for the Planning and Preparation of the Blue Bioeconomy and Water Expertise Development Programme 2026–2030.

The Growth and Internationalization of Water Expertise Programme (2022–2025) aims to strengthen the competitiveness of Finnish water expertise and promote the internationalization of the sector. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for the programme, with the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of South Savo (ELY Centre) acting as the supporting authority.

MDI, in cooperation with FCG, is conducting the final evaluation of the programme as well as contributing to the development of a new programme. The evaluation assesses the achievement of the programme’s objectives and its overall impact, the efficiency of implemented measures and resource use, the programme’s effects on the growth and business conditions of water sector companies, its influence on internationalization, and the programme’s functionality based on stakeholder perspectives and experiences.

At the same time, the evaluation will produce insights and lessons to support the drafting of the new programme. The goal of the new Blue Bioeconomy and Water Expertise Development Programme 2026–2030 is to define the programme’s structure, objectives, actions, and indicators.

The review will be conducted between May and September 2025.