The project was to develop cooperation between the University of Joensuu, the officials and organisations in the region, and industry. Consequently, the conditions for cooperation across the border would be improved. A goal was to assess the possibility and need for establishing a development centre that would support cooperation between the University of Joensuu and industry in St. Petersburg (with a focus also on the Republic of Karelia) in cooperation with the universities in Northwest Russia and East Finland. In addition, the operational concept of the development centre was to be drafted. A goal of the project was also to compare new innovation in Northwest Russia and East Finland and the activities and strategies currently being utilised. The ultimate goal of the project was to establish a foundation for the development centre, which would be based on cooperation between businesses and universities, as defi ned in the Objectives of Internationalisation in the Strategy for Internationalisation of the University of Joensuu.