Research and innovation

Ranked by the European Commission as one of the most innovative regions in Europe, the Stockholm region is home to leading higher education institutions and companies driving development in various key sectors.

The Stockholm region is renowned for its outstanding research in life sciences, climate and environmental sciences, as well as a strong manufacturing industry and prominent clusters of technology companies.

The Stockholm region has large urban and rural areas, facing challenges in terms of sustainable social, economic and environmental development.

Given the current geopolitical landscape, the focus in the coming years will be on funding development and innovation. This will be supported primarily through the EU research and innovation programmes and cohesion policy, which is part of EU’s long-term budget.

The Stockholm region is committed to fostering a dynamic innovation ecosystem and promoting strategic collaborations to sustain its international competitiveness. A key focus is on strengthening strategic research corridors and innovation hubs, such as Hagastaden-Kista-Uppsala and Flemingsberg-Södertälje-Strängnäs. These areas serve as vital environments for driving world-leading innovation through close collaboration between academia, business and the public sector, laying the foundations for sustainable economic growth and technological leadership in the global marketplace.

The Stockholm Region EU Office has been located in Brussels for 30 years and is continuously advocating for a sustainable, smart, and competitive transition at an EU level from a local and regional perspective. At the same time, promoting a just and inclusive transition, taking perspectives such as gender equality and skills into account. In line with these efforts, the Stockholm Region EU Office advocates on the basis of three key areas; sustainable growth, competitiveness and innovation.

During the following mandate period of 2025-2030 the office focuses on initiatives such as the next long-term budget (MFF) and the next research and innovation programme (the FP10 Framework Programme). For example, the EU multiannual financial framework should take into account the needs of both stronger and weaker regions and clarify the capacity of public actors to address common EU challenges.

In the case of cohesion policy, the new programming period should ensure that local and regional actors are well-positioned to take part in designing future programmes, given that cohesion policy is implemented at local and regional level. 

During this mandate period, there will also be a strong focus on the specific mandate for an urban strategy within the framework of cohesion and reform. The Stockholm Region EU Office will work to ensure the region’s voice is heard in the reform work on urban investment strategies, including urban hubs. Additionally, The EU Office advocate for EU investments in labour market inclusion and thereby contributing to reducing social disparities and segregation.   

Positions

The Stockholm Region Association for European Affairs – Position paper on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The Stockholm Region Association for European Affairs – Position paper on the next European framework programme for research and innovation (FP10).

The Stockholm Region Association for European Affairs – Position paper on the future of Cohesion Policy and programme period 2028 – 2034.