Strong interest in Finland and North Savo in India
The Talent First project, coordinated by the City of Kuopio, participated in the international GIDS India 2026 event held in Bangalore in April. The event brought together thousands of software developers and IT professionals, offering Finnish actors a valuable opportunity to engage directly with international talent and to strengthen the visibility of Finland and North Savo.
Growing interest in Finland among international talent
During the event, discussions were held with hundreds international professionals, the majority of whom were Indian IT experts. These conversations highlighted a strong interest in Finland, particularly in terms of work–life balance, safety, and overall quality of life.
Participants showed particular interest in:
- job opportunities in Finland
- recruitment processes and job seeking
- practical aspects of relocation and residence permits
- Finnish working life and quality of life
Finland’s reputation as the happiest country in the world emerged repeatedly in discussions and served as a natural starting point for engaging with international talent.
Building international visibility through collaboration
Talent First participated in the event as part of the broader Work in Finland initiative, in collaboration with national actors. The joint stand presented Finland as a destination for both work and living, while also highlighting opportunities related to international recruitment.
The Discover Finland pilot course, which provides a streamlined pathway to Finland, attracted significant attention. Hundreds of participants registered for the course during the event.
The event also provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with both international and Finnish stakeholders and to gather up-to-date insights into the global talent market.
India as a key target country for talent attraction
India has been identified as one of Finland’s most important target countries for international recruitment, particularly within the technology sector. The country hosts a large and rapidly growing talent pool, along with strong interest in international career opportunities.
Participation in the GIDS event further reinforced the importance of India as a potential partner and recruitment country also from the perspective of North Savo.
Supporting regional competitiveness and Talent First activities
The objective of the Talent First project is to improve access to workforce and strengthen the competitiveness of North Savo. Enhancing international visibility and building networks are key components of this work.
Talent First is a project coordinated by the City of Kuopio and implemented in collaboration with 12 partners. It aims to develop North Savo’s attractiveness for international talent, improve the availability of workforce, and strengthen the region’s competitiveness in the global labour market.
