Tech it Further convened stakeholders in Brussels to discuss EU competitiveness
In March, Tech it Further hosted a breakfast meeting at the European Parliament to discuss how the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, as well as the European Competitiveness Fund, should be designed to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.
Pia Sandvik, CEO of Teknikföretagen speaking at the Tech it Further breakfast seminar.
The meeting was hosted by Sofie Eriksson, Member of the European Parliament (S&D), who works on issues related to EU research cooperation and is involved in negotiations on the European Research Area. It was opened by Evin Incir, Member of the European Parliament (S&D), who highlighted the importance of collaboration across sectors to strengthen EU competitiveness.
EU research policy in focus
The discussion took place shortly after the rapporteurs for the forthcoming Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2028–2034 (FP10) had published their reports. Negotiations on the future of EU research and innovation policy are expected to intensify over the spring.
Annika Borgenstam, Vice President for Research at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, representing the University Alliance Stockholm Trio, underlined the importance of ensuring adequate resources for FP10.
“There are excellent projects that do not receive funding, which means that European potential is lost. We are now at a decisive moment for Europe. We need education, cutting-edge research and stronger collaboration with industry. Universities play a key role in this,” she noted.
A joint input to the next Framework Programme
A shared message from Tech it Further, including Stockholm Trio, was the need for greater clarity in the relationship between FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund, the importance of maintaining a strong and independent European Research Council (ERC), and the continued openness of the Framework Programme to global collaboration.
Pia Sandvik, CEO of Teknikföretagen (Technology Industries of Sweden), highlighted the importance of sustained investment in research and innovation to support Europe’s long-term competitiveness. She also stressed that innovation takes place across the entire economy, not only in start-ups, and that Europe has strong foundations on which to build.
Sofia Kamps, representing the Stockholm region, pointed to Stockholm’s position as a leading innovation environment and emphasised the role of the public sector both as a testbed for innovation and as a strategic procurer of new solutions.
About Tech it Further
Tech it Further External link. is a cross-sector collaboration between the University Alliance Stockholm Trio, Stockholm Region EU Office, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, FAM AB and Teknikföretagen. The initiative brings together perspectives from academia, industry, research institutes and the public sector to contribute to European competitiveness, research and innovation.