Pärnu County Development Centre is a foundation established by Pärnu County municipalities for the balanced development of the county. https://parnumaa.ee/en/about-us/
Pärnu County Development Centre steers the development of Pärnu County, develops entrepreneurship, youth entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial education, and civic engagement. It also promotes public health and internal security, international relations and implements national, regional and countywide projects.
In cooperation with all Pärnu County stakeholders, the state and international networks and partners, we apply our knowledge and experience in order to foster balanced development in the county. Pärnu County Development Centre is part of the nationwide network of county development centres that includes 15 development centres in each county all over Estonia. Together with Lääne County Development Centre, Saare County Development Centre and Hiiu County Development Centre we form the West-Estonia’s regional business development support network.
The regional innovation hub, which connects the various business development and educational competencies of Pärnu County and is implemented based on the so-called triple helix innovation model, is morphing into a future-oriented development accelerator for the whole region of Western Estonia. Empowering entrepreneurial activity through the supportive incubation and startup services, growing the entrepreneurial mindset and skills of young people by Tartu University Pärnu College and Pärnu Vocational Education Centre, as well as the active involvement of entrepreneurs, all help to increase the competitiveness of the region's economy.
As decreed in the Pärnu County Development Strategy for 2035+, we are currently in the process of developing the regional bio-economy competence centre with our regional and national partners and stakeholders.
In co-operation with Stockholm Environment Institute, the region initiated mapping of local bioresources as a precursor for developing West-Estonia’s bio-economy strategy.
The initiative resulted in identifying three bio-economy sectors with regional priority:
- Biowaste into energy carriers
- Marine aquaculture
- Food and health products from wetlands