If the EU is to boost or maintain its competitiveness, more attention should be directed towards increasingly laying the groundwork for excellent research environments and innovation. A good innovative climate is an important factor that leads to growth thus makes up the very foundation for prosperity. An increased focus in Europe to build up stronger innovative climates will contribute to solutions for large challenges in society.
The Stockholm Region is ranked as the most knowledge intensive region outside the US and widely recognized as one of the most innovative regions in the world. In a comparison of the innovative climate and competitiveness in Europe, Sweden and the Stockholm Region has a strong position and the Stockholm Region aims to move from a position of strength to becoming the world´s most innovation driven economy by 2025. With strong universities, a large number of research institutes and a wide range of business actors and highly skilled labour in the Stockholm Region, research and innovation is a policy area of particular importance.
The EU research and innovation programme provides a much-needed platform for cooperation between actors across Europe and is a clear example of an area where EU funding brings real added value compared to national and regional initiatives. It is therefore imperative that efforts at EU level are further accelerated and more attention should be paid to excellent research environments and innovation. In addition, cooperation between public actors, academia and industry must remain in focus.
The Stockholm Region EU Office is continuously working for
– Further accelerated research and innovation efforts that are more clearly directed towards major societal challenges.
– More attention to excellent research environments and innovation within the EU research and innovation funding, in order to maintain global competitiveness. In addition, cooperation between public actors, academia and industry must remain in focus.
