How should Sweden act to maximise its impact as the EU’s research, innovation, and industrial policy system is reformed?
Better alignment between national policy and EU to strengthen Swedish competitiveness was in focus at a seminar organised by IVA and Tech it Further, of which University Alliance Stockholm Trio is one of the partners. Watch the full seminar online. External link.
Anders Söderholm, President of KTH, represented Stockholm Trio in a panel. Photo: Erik Cronberg.
As the EU faces major reforms in research, innovation and industrial policy, important questions are being raised about how the Swedish system should be structured to make more effective use of EU instruments such as Horizon Europe and the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). This was the starting point for a seminar that aimed to create a shared understanding of how Sweden´s research, innovation, and industrial policy need to evolve.
Toward a more coordinated Swedish approach
Several contributions during the seminar pointed to the need for a more coordinated Swedish approach in Europe, both to strengthen Sweden’s voice and to avoid Swedish actors competing with one another instead of acting together. Among the issues raised were how to coordinate Swedish actors to influence EU priorities at an early stage as well as the need for a more strategic approach to national co-funding to strengthen participation in EU initiatives.
The seminar was co-organised by the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) and Tech it Further, External link, opens in new window. a joint platform between Teknikföretagen, RISE, University Alliance Stockholm Trio, FAM AB, and the Stockholm Region EU Office.