The Urban Wellbeing Lab project utilises wellbeing and health-related data to accelerate the operations of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Within the project, innovative products and services are developed in close collaboration with the residents of the two pilot areas in order to enhance their overall wellbeing and quality of life.
Objective
The Urban Wellbeing Lab project focuses on enhancing the wellbeing of Helsinki residents by empowering startups and SMEs in the data and health sectors. Throughout the project, companies have the opportunity to leverage both national and regional wellbeing data, while developing innovations in the field.
The main objective of the project is to strengthen companies’ innovation competence, as well as their research and development capabilities, in the fields of physical, mental, social, and economic wellbeing. The project provides a comprehensive wellbeing-related dataset together with case examples for companies to leverage. With the support of this data, companies can address challenges identified by Helsinki residents. Simultaneously, collaboration between the business community, RDI organisations, and the city is strengthened.
The growth and competitiveness of companies are supported through two open calls, offering around €100,000 for piloting activities. In 2026–2027, companies will have the opportunity to experiment and develop their wellbeing-related innovations together with professionals and residents in the new city districts of Keski-Pasila and Postipuisto.
Duration, Partners, and Funding
- Duration: 1.10.2025–30.9.2027
- Partners: Forum Virium Helsinki, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Business Helsinki (Coordinator)
- Budget: Total €847,341, of which €267,309 is from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Forum Virium Helsinki’s share is €295,156.
Forum Virium Helsinki’s Role
Forum Virium Helsinki is responsible for the work package focusing on data inventory and sharing. This includes mapping relevant wellbeing data at regional and national levels and providing this data through a “one-stop-shop” approach. Additionally, Forum Virium Helsinki is responsible for the three design sprints that precede the Urban Wellbeing Lab open calls, paving the way for successful piloting activities by refining thematic priorities and specific data needs. Forum Virium Helsinki is also responsible for mapping international RDI networks and benchmarking relevant data ecosystems.
Benefits for Helsinki
The Urban Wellbeing Lab project supports both Helsinki’s residents and businesses by focusing on cooperation between the business community, RDI organisations, and the city. Accelerating the use of data and innovation helps Helsinki develop into an even more resident-oriented and livable city.
In the project’s pilot areas of Postipuisto and Keski-Pasila, wellbeing of the residents is improved through relevant experimentations and design sprints. Approximately ten pilots will be implemented together with companies, and at their best, the resulting innovations may remain in the areas for residents to use.
Sustainability
Responsibility and transparency are cross-cutting principles of the Urban Wellbeing Lab project and guide all its activities. Ethical data is of primary importance: all collected and shared data strictly adheres to GDPR regulations and ethical principles, guaranteeing the privacy and confidentiality of city residents.
Furthermore, the project’s solutions are developed with a resident-oriented approach to meet the actual needs of those living in the pilot areas. This ensures that innovations improve wellbeing equitably and respond to real-world challenges. Finally, transparency is ensured by sharing the project’s best practices widely for the benefit of other cities.