A SMART WAY TO
INNOVATION IN NORTH MIDDLE SWEDEN
Common challenges and joint strengths are the driving forces behind North Middle Sweden’s innovation policies and initiatives. The area of North Middle Sweden consists of the three regions of Värmland, Dalarna and Gävleborg. Each region has designed its own research and innovation strategy for smart specialisation (RIS3) and highlighted its areas of strength that, in many cases, are world leading. Many of the strengths are joint and complementary. However, challenges like the supply of skills, demographic development and transformation of traditional sectors are also shared among the regions.
To take full advantage of the common knowledge base located in North Middle Sweden, and to meet the challenges as effectively as possible, we have chosen to cooperate. The cooperation is founded on common strengths in advanced manufacturing and materials, forestbased bio-economy, smart and sustainable community building, health and welfare innovations, the experience industry, as well as digital and value creation services. The cooperation also benefits from the regions having access to the same regional fund programs, which allows for joint investments in research and innovation for sustainable development.
Region Värmland Since 2015, Värmland has been working from a regional research and innovation Strategy for smart specialisation (RIS3). The strategy is a tool for sustainable growth as well as the transformation of industry and will strengthen research within the region. One starting point is meeting societal challenges when designing the region’s specialisations. This ambition has, among other things, led to Värmland being the first region in Europe to conduct a gender analysis and to gender integrate the entire RIS3. With the Academy for smart specialisation, Region of Värmland and Karlstad University have set the stage for the cluster organisations, county council and municipalities to benefit more from the research. The Academy will also strengthen the university’s research environments.
Region Gävleborg Research and innovation is a key issue when responding to major societal challenges. To create more jobs as well as sustainable and inclusive growth in Gävleborg, attractive industries and trade that spans several sectors and fields are required. Through a challengedriven approach, companies, universities, public actors and civil society are unified and focused on connecting and building upon the strengths of the region. This will provide the right conditions for development and a powerful and competitive innovation policy.
Region Dalarna Dalarna adopted the first version of its regional research and innovation strategy, RIS3 in 2014. It is based on the experience of cluster development as well as collaboration between the regional university and innovation system. Dalarna also emphasize the importance of making the innovation support system available to actors, industries and sectors that by tradition have been excluded or whose impact have been underestimated in regional innovation processes. An example of this is Dalarna’s work on integrating a gender sensitive approach in the innovation support system.
VALUE-CREATING SERVICES Servitisation is a development process aimed at gaining new insight from users and on how to best support in the creation of value. It is a horizontal strength across all of Värmland’s specialisations. The service research centre at Karlstad University is one of the world’s leading research groups within service research. With excellence in research on service design and servitisation, we are developing and applying the research to strengthen the capacity among private and public stakeholders to contribute to value-creation for customers, users and society. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Service research centre (CTF) and Centre for gender studies (CGF) at Karlstad University. RISE service labs and Experio lab.
MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION Gävleborg has a unique combination of world leading export companies within steel, manufacturing and the forest industry. There is also a dynamic base of small and medium sized service and technology suppliers within automation, process and measurement, maintenance and service. Several clusters promoting innovation are present in the region as well as important research groups. The gathered competence possessed by regional companies in the areas of materials, process engineering and automation is at the global forefront. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Centre for logistics and innovative production (CLIP), and faculty of Engineering and sustainable development at the University of Gävle. FindIT, Triple Steelix, Future Position X, Fiber Optic Valley, as well as the company’s research and development environments.
ADVANCED INDUSTRY The regional industry based on forest and pulp has an annual turnover of seven billion euros, of which a significant portion is exports. With world leading competence and companies within the advanced steel industry, power transmission and refinement of wood, Dalarna is at the global forefront. Based on these strengths, Dalarna is also a member of the Vanguard Initiative. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Research profile Steel forming and surface engineering at Dalarna University. FindIT, High Voltage Valley, Triple Steelix and Dalarna Science Park.
FOREST-BASED BIOECONOMY More than 70 percent of Värmland is covered with forests that are continually growing. The products and processes of the forest industry constitute an industrial area of strength, while the region also possesses academic excellence connected to bioeconomy. In Värmland, we are striving to fully demonstrate and realise a forest-based bioeconomy. This is made possible by a world-leading cluster in pulp and paper technologies – Paper Province – that gathers business, research, education and societal actors with a common base in bioeconomy, with the aim of value-creation. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Pro2Be, Centre for regional studies (CRS), Service research center (CTF) and Centre for gender studies (CGF) at Karlstad University. Paper Province, RISE Bioeconomy, and the companies’ research and development environments.
SMART AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETIES Today, more than half of the earth’s population lives in cities, a proportion that is expected to increase. Smart and sustainable cities and societies are an area of strength in Gävleborg. The region displays a strong tradition and cutting-edge competence in several fields of this cross-sector area. There is strong regional collaboration between business, academia, the public sector and civil society in areas such as sustainable and efficient transports, energy efficiency, energy systems and built environment. There are several arenas and testing environments available in the region. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Faculties of Engineering and sustainable development, and Energy systems and environmental engineering at the University of Gävle. Future Position X, the swedish authority Lantmäteriet and the municipalities.
HEALTH AND WELFARE The population of Dalarna is decreasing, but the amount of elderly people is increasing. Based on the demographic challenge, we are seeking new and innovative ways of working to develop the health and welfare sectors to tackle the demographic changes. Furthermore, Dalarna is home to many elite athletes in skiing, bicycling and athletics, and we find a unique combination in the cooperation between competence in welfare, social work, healthcare and the athletes. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Knowledge implementation and patient safety (KIPS), Research centre for ageing and later life (RECALL) and Centre for reproductive, infant and child health (RICH) at the Dalarna University, as well as Lugnet sports lab (LIVI) and Dala sports academy.
DIGITALISATION OF WELFARE SERVICES We are developing and testing welfare services, in actual environments with different people as co-creators to provide varying types of solutions, many of which are digital. The public sector is an important user and procurer of these processes. This results in better and more effective care, education as well as other social services, and ultimately happier, more competent and healthier citizens. Companies get access to real development and testing environments. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Computer science (CS), Mathematics, Health, Research on subject-specific education (ROSE), Service research center (CTF), Centre for gender studies (CGF) at Karlstad University. Compare, Nordic Medtest, Experio Lab, and the Interactive Institute.
SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE WORKING LIFE Striving for a sustainable and inclusive working life is an important step to greater equality and a more inclusive society. In Gävleborg, internationally successful research competence exists in this field connected to a national centre of excellence. The region is home to a unique doctoral education in promoting a healthy working life, as well as considerable potential for innovation in service companies that are developing new solutions from a global perspective. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Health-promoting working life, and Centre for musculoskeletal research (CBM) at the University of Gävle, and municipalities.
INNOVATIVE EXPERIENCE PRODUCTION Dalarna is the forth largest destination for tourism in Sweden, after the three big metropolitan regions. The tourism sector is viable and in continuous transformation and development. Several Swedish cultural traditions are originated and developed in Dalarna. The cultural heritage, combined with outdoor recreation and large sports events, attract visitors. The area is also reinventing itself through exciting encounters with developments in trade, media, gamification, sports and health. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Centre for tourism and leisure research (CetLeR) and research profile Complex systems - microdata analysis at Dalarna University, as well as Dala sports academy and Destination Dalarna.
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND COMPLEX SYSTEMS Due to Värmland’s extensive tradition in the steel and engineering industries as well as its impressive reputation, reindustrialisation is not required. Värmland can operate at a level and from a position of strength. We develop and offer energy efficient, as well as resource efficient systems solutions and components for primarily, heavy vehicles, the forest industry and within renewable energy, energy efficiency and hydrodynamics. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Characterising and modelling of materials (CMM), Service research center (CTF) and Centre for gender studies (CGF) at Karlstad University. IDC / Steel & Engineering, Bergskolan LTU, LEAN Factory AT-lab and the companies’ research and development environments.
BIOECONOMY Advanced technology and development combined with high availability of natural resources contributes to Gävleborg’s bioeconomy, which is mostly forest-based. The entire value chain, from efficient forestry to high-quality end products, is represented in the region. Recent developments are within new wood and cellulose based products and there is also an emerging potential in the development of chemicals and refined fuels. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Energy systems and environmental engineering at the University of Gävle, as well as business actors and their companies’ research and development environments.
ENERGY EFFICIENT SOCIETY In many ways, Dalarna is a role model for activities and actions regarding environmental sustainability, and we often welcome international delegations to share our experiences. The region is home to research and innovation in the fields of energy efficiency and long-term energy supply based on renewable sources. Collaboration within and between societal sectors is of particular importance, both nationally and internationally, in order to achieve a joint global responsibility. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Energy competence centre (EKC) and the research profiles Complex systems - microdata analysis, and Energy, forest and built environments at Dalarna University. High Voltage Valley, ITS Dalarna, ByggDialog Dalarna, Triple Steelix and Green Business Region.
NATURE, CULTURE AND PLACE BASED DIGITALISED EXPERIENCES We have a living cultural legacy in music, art, handicrafts, historic culture and storytelling traditions. Värmland’s nature offers features such as clean water, biological diversity, many climate zones and activities such as hiking, cycling, canoeing and boating as well as a unique unexplored inland sea. We visualize knowledge, stories and natural values of places using digital technology and media in order to create unique experiences for visitors. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: The research group for culture studies (KUFO), the department of geography, media and communication (Geomedia), Centre for regional studies (CRS), Service research center (CTF) and Centre for gender studies (CGF) at Karlstad University. Compare, Visit Värmland and NIFA.
DIGITAL SERVICES AND PROCESSES Sweden has the ambition of being a world leader in capturing opportunities within digitalisation. Innovations in this field are found in many companies in Gävleborg. Companies working with sensor development, control engineering, connected enterprise resource planning and geospatial information are driving innovation and development in global arenas. The region is home to leading research and development activities, both in the companies, but also in connection with academia and research institutes in Gävleborg and neighbouring regions. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: Electrotechnology at the University of Gävle, Fiber Optic Valley, FindIT, Future Position X, and RISE/Acreo, University of Gävle, Region Gävleborg.
THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF RESEARCH IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Research environments and several research centres at Karlstad University, Dalarna University and the University of Gävle already have strong links offering a unique resource with the goal of meeting societal challenges and contributing to sustainable regional development. The research profiles and centers are listed later in the broschure.
SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS WITH PHOTOVOLTAICS The specialisation helps to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases as we develop and offer solutions for the production of electric energy from photovoltaics. One example is a photo-voltaic system for the rapid electrification of rural areas throughout the world. We offer an attractive test and development environment for the generation and storage of photovoltaics, smart electrical networks and small-scale systems solutions involving photovoltaic technology. IMPORTANT RESOURCES: : Characterizing and modelling of materials (CMM), Service Research center (CTF) and Centre for gender studies (CGF) at Karlstad University. As well as Glava energy centre at Karlstad University.
COMPANY CLUSTERS – A BASIS FOR INNOVATION A RIS3 places a great importance on the interaction between research and industries in the private sector. In North Middle Sweden – Värmland, Dalarna and Gävleborg – there are currently 14 business clusters that gather companies operating within steel and materials industry, bioeconomy, the experience industry, digital technology, sustainable building and energy efficiency. The clusters are listed on the next page.
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP IN THE INNOVATION SUPPORT SYSTEM Region Värmland, Region Dalarna and Region Gävleborg are responsible for regional development and provide the political leadership in the RIS3-process. The research institutions of the regions, clusters and innovation actors, such as science parks, are important partners. The regions also administer regional development funds, which finance projects in prioritised areas of strength.
SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH PROFILES AND CENTRES FOR SMART SPECIALISATIONS IN THE REGIONS OF VÄRMLAND, GÄVLEBORG AND DALARNA
CLUSTERS IN NORTH MIDDLE SWEDEN
Region Värmland
COMPARE consists of approximately 100 IT companies and telecom companies in Värmland. Compare focuses on creating new business, securing the ICT skills of the future and using digital solutions to increase innovation power.
KARLSTAD UNIVERSITY (KAU.SE) CMM – Characterising and modeling of materials CTF – Service research center CGF – Centre for gender studies CRS – Centre for regional studies CS – Computer Science Geomedia – The department of geography, media and communication Health, Karlstad University KuFo – The research group for culture studies Mathematics Pro2Be – Processes and products for a circular bioeconomy ROSE – Research on subject-specific education
Region Gävleborg THE UNIVERSITY OF GÄVLE (HIG.SE) Built environment, Electrotechnology Built environment, Energy systems and environmental engineering Built environment, Engineering and sustainable development CBF – Centre for musculoskeletal research CLIP – Centre for logistics and innovative production Health-promoting working life
Region Dalarna DALARNA UNIVERSITY (DU.SE) CeTLeR – Centre for tourism and leisure research Complex systems – Microdata Analysis EKC – Energy competence centre Energy, forest and built environments KIPS – The research center for knowledge implementation and patient safety LIVI – Lugnet sports lab ReCALL – The research center for ageing and later life RICH – The research center for reproductive, infant and child health Steel forming and surface engineering
BYGGDIALOG DALARNA is an industry association for the construction and real estate sector in Dalarna, gathering regionally relevant actors with the aim of shaping tomorrow’s sustainable societies.
DALA SPORTS ACADEMY offers opportunities for knowledge exchange, testing and verification as well as business and corporate development to companies working with sports and health. DESTINATION DALARNA is a cluster initiative that gathers about 1 000 tourism companies. The goal is to strengthen the tourism industry in the region of Dalarna. FIBER OPTIC VALLEY is Sweden’s leading innovation environment in the broadband infrastructure and sensor technology industry. FINDIT focuses on the further development of a competence centre within industrial IT at Sandbacka Park in Sandviken. There, companies in the steel, paper and pulp industry in Gävleborg and Dalarna come together. FUTURE POSITION X contributes to increased growth, quality of life and sustainable social development in the region of Gävleborg through the fields of health, geographic data and technology as well as smart cities and communities. GLAVA ENERGY CENTER is an internationally leading test centre for future renewable energy solutions. HIGH VOLTAGE VALLEY is a company cluster for technological development within the field of high voltage energy and energy efficient society. ITSDALARNA is a cluster for future solutions in sustainable and digitized transportation and logistics. IDC / STEEL & ENGINEERING supports the development of manufacturing and industrial companies in Värmland. PAPER PROVINCE is a world-leading cluster working with forestbased bioeconomy in Värmland and the surrounding regions. TRIPLE STEELIX 2.0, is a cluster for stimulating innovation within the steel and the engineering industries in the area called Bergslagen in Sweden. VISIT VÄRMLAND works with members – companies, associations, organisations and municipalities – to strengthen and develop the tourism industry in Värmland.
Lagergrens gata 2, 652 26 Karlstad Telephone 054-701 10 00 kansliet@regionvarmland.se
Rektorsgatan 1, 801 88 Gävle Telephone 026-15 40 00 rg@regiongavleborg.se
Myntgatan 2, 791 51 Falun Telephone 023-77 70 00 info@regiondalarna.se
www.regiondalarna.se/smartspecialisering