In 2018, the provinces of Eastern and Northern Finland (IP-area) have started a trans-regional cooperation aimed at meeting the challenges created by the transformation of the livelihoods of the whole region. In 2018, the IP region received support to launch cooperation from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy. The IP Region applied to the Commission’s industrial transformation initiative in response to the following needs: developing business-to-business cooperation through cluster thinking and activities, finding a skilled workforce for the right needs, developing business and export know-how, improving access to finance for investment, promoting sustainable and higher processing of raw materials. As a result, the IP region developed a smart specialisation strategy for Eastern and Northern Finland and has received EUR 300 000 to finance a pilot for SMEs in 2019. As a result of the cooperation in 2018, there was also a will for a wider implementation of the cooperation through a joint co-ordination project. The coordination project, the Transformation of Eastern and Northern Finland — from Strategy to Practice, is being sought to enhance and maintain cooperation for the next two years and, above all, to implement a common Smart Specialisation Strategy for the entire region of the IP area that has already been created. The strategy is called Eastern and Northern Finland’s livelihoods in the transformation, Smart Specialisation Strategy 2019-2023 (IP-area S3).The IP area already has strong ecosystem-based development activities that provide a good basis for cluster work and its systematic development. The European Commission puts more emphasis on integrating modern cluster activities, including in regional development. IP-area S3:ssa identified common key growth sectors in the IP area biorefining and new products, sustainable extractive activities, chemical industry, sustainable tourism and attractiveness, as well as manufacturing industries to lay the groundwork for joint work. Joint work and development are guided by the cross-cutting competence areas “cleantech and low-carbon solutions, the circular industrial economy and digitalisation, and innovative technologies and production processes”, which offer diverse know-how and know-how in the regions. The development of cooperation was chosen as a model for the development of modern cluster activities to strengthen value chains in the leading IP sectors. Cluster and ecosystem development create a breeding ground for companies. The aim of the project is to create a cluster development model based on a network of existing innovation platforms in the IP area to provide support services to industry. In the cluster model for the development of livelihoods in the IP area, SMEs and other innovation actors in the region jointly develop the growth of the region’s livelihoods. The cluster model is based on a network of centres of excellence, in which the leading knowledge of RDI clusters has been harnessed to promote SME growth and internationalisation. After the end of the project, there will be cooperation models and cluster structures in the IP area that support livelihoods in growth. Good practices have been found through joint work and a basis for future joint development activities has been established. In addition, the project will launch the Transformation of Eastern and Northern Finland — the implementation of the smart specialisation strategy. During the project, implementation will lead to cooperation in accordance with IP area S3, especially in the previously mentioned growth areas and cross-cutting competence areas. The achievement of this objective will be measured by the level of cooperation in the region (e.g. new projects and measures based on themes, etc.).The need for the development of the low-carbon theme of the IP area and the lack of new measures have also been taken into account in the measures of this project. The project aims at activities under specific objective 4.1 of the ongoing Structural Funds programme 2014-2020 and supported by Investment Priority 4. After the end of the project, there will be cooperation models and cluster structures in the IP area that support livelihoods in growth. Good practices have been created through joint work and a basis for future joint development activities has been established.