Norrbotten launches regional innovation center
Norrbotten has industries that are important for the people in our county but also for the rest of Europe, which requires renewal and cooperation to ensure long-term growth. To meet this challenge, Region Norrbotten and LTU Business are launching a new collaboration platform: Norrbotten Regional Innovation Center.
The new innovation center will act as a catalyst for knowledge exchange, development and collaboration between strategic industry clusters in the region. The focus is on strengthening Norrbotten’s position both nationally and internationally through smart specialization and innovative collaborations.’
– The Norrbotten Regional Innovation Center will be an important platform for increasing learning between actors within the region, but also for strengthening our partnerships in Europe. Through joint activities and projects, we strengthen the region’s competitiveness, says Linn Berglund Pantzare, project manager at LTU Business.
A strategy for smart growth
The initiative is based on the principles of smart specialization, an EU strategy that over the past decade has promoted regional cooperation and increased competitiveness. Norrbotten focuses on further developing its strengths in basic industry, while investing in growth industries such as space, hydrogen, ICT and tourism.
– We will strengthen what we are good at and invest in what we need to get better at. The S3 work is about just that – and the link to the EU, our European added value and international cooperation will be developed with this platform and benefit the companies in Norrbotten, says Helena Ölund, Chairman of the Regional Development Committee in the Regional Council.
Investment with a focus on collaboration and benefits
The work to establish the Norrbotten Regional Innovation Center will begin in December 2024. The project is run by LTU Business and funded by Region Norrbotten, with the aim of creating concrete values for the region’s business community and contributing to stronger European value chains.
– We look forward to supporting the region’s development by strengthening cooperation between actors and contributing to Europe’s green transition, says Gry Holmgren Hafskjold, CEO of LTU Business.
Facts
LTU Business is a non-profit limited company and is part of the LTU Holding Group, which is owned by Luleå University of Technology. LTU Business’ mission is to promote innovation and development through collaboration between academia and society with a particular focus on the emerging green industries.
Smart Specialization (S3) is a concept introduced by the European Commission. It can be described as a way of working to focus on innovation and sustainable growth in the areas where there is the greatest potential. An area can take many different forms, for example a particular technology or part of a sector, or to solve a societal challenge. Source: Tillväxtverket (The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth)
Norrbotten’s smart specialization strategy
Every region in Europe is developing its own smart specialization strategy. Norrbotten’s strategy aims to further develop the county’s conditions for innovation in Norrbotten. Read the English summary here.