The European Institute for a Sustainable Information Society began its work in the summer of 2004. The Institute acts as a coordinating body between universities, institutes of higher education, ideological organisations, communal and regional bodies and companies researching and promoting sustainability. In addition, the association governs seminars, development projects and other projects of the European information society.

The town of Kouvola organised an international high-level SIS-Seminar (SIS = Sustainable Information Society) in autumn 2001. Jeremy Rifkin, who is known for his works The End of Work, The Biotech Century and The Age of Access, acted as the main speaker of the seminar, where questions on the values and quality of the information society, futurological viewpoints, the challenges of new technology and the Millennium Project were emphasized.

In autumn of 2003, the European Institute for a Sustainable Information Society was established in Kouvola. According to the goals defined, the Institute aims to advance research and development concerning the information society and digital culture and to advance cooperation between the professionals and the devotees of the field. Special emphasis is given to national and international networking and cooperation between scientists, universities, research units, art communities and experts.

To realise its intention, the Institute takes initiatives in developing the information society and advancing digital culture, organises seminars of the field, plans and carries out courses and other training on digital culture, is engaged in publishing and informational activities, and arranges cultural events. Developing the services of the European information society, the Institute pays attention to ethics, aesthetics and individuality.