Cities of Tartu and Sherbrooke are strengthening international cooperation
Tartu City Government Press Release
/ The City of Tartu (Estonia) and the City of Sherbrooke (Québec, Canada) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a structured framework for long-term cooperation in entrepreneurship, education, science, and innovation.
The MoU was signed between Ms Kaili Ojamets, the Head of the Business Development Department of Tartu City Government and Mr Stephen Cabana, Deputy Director of the Service de développement économique de la Ville de Sherbrooke, designating the two economic development departments as the primary contact points for cooperation between the regions. The agreement creates a first-layer cooperation framework that enables ecosystem-level collaboration and the engagement of companies, universities, research institutions, and innovation organizations in both regions.
“This agreement provides a practical platform for connecting our business and research ecosystems and supporting companies and institutions seeking international partnerships,” said Kaili Ojamets. “By working through our economic development departments, we ensure a clear, coordinated, and impact-driven approach.”
Stephen Cabana highlighted the agreement, stating: “With this umbrella agreement in place, the already strong collaboration between Tartu and Sherbrooke is set to accelerate. I look forward to translating our shared ambitions into tangible value for both ecosystems, including through a collaboration project already under discussion with a leading science park partner to support the internationalization of our companies.”
Under the MoU, Tartu and Sherbrooke will collaborate on a non-binding basis to support internationalization and market access for companies, facilitate business partnerships and joint initiatives, and promote technology, knowledge, and talent exchange. Cooperation also encourages joint research, pilot, and demonstration projects, as well as the sharing of best practices and strategic alignment between the two innovation ecosystems.
The collaboration builds on the complementary economic, technological, and educational strengths of both cities, particularly in advanced and emerging technology fields, digital and knowledge-intensive industries, sustainable innovation, and security-related solutions, while remaining flexible to include additional areas of mutual interest as cooperation evolves.
Both Tartu and Sherbrooke are internationally recognized knowledge and innovation hubs. Tartu is Estonia’s leading center of education and research, home to the country’s top university and a strong startup and technology ecosystem. Sherbrooke is a major Canadian hub for higher education and advanced technologies, with a strong focus on research-driven innovation and international collaboration.
The MoU serves as a foundation for future project-based agreements and concrete initiatives, allowing ecosystem partners - such as universities, research centers, and companies - to build collaborations aligned with shared strategic priorities.
Last changed 19.02.2026
