Innovation at system level makes a difference in a crisis

This was stated at a webinar at Vinnova about how investments in research and innovation make a difference and strengthen society's adaptability.

Vinnovas GD Darja Isaksson began with the question why investments in research and innovation are crucial to our ability to solve societal challenges. 

A system that quickly lifts solutions

Enligt Darja Isaksson we need a strong innovation system that can quickly take care of the results of research and innovation so that they come in handy. For example, digital solutions are needed for efficient infection detection, new business models for distribution of protective equipment and the ability to efficiently share data. That's what a strong and well-functioning innovation system does according to Darja Isaksson.

- We know that our ability to build endurance and our ability to adapt depends on continuing to focus and think long-term about research and innovation and the innovation system that we are all part of, says Darja Isaksson.

Innovation program for changeover

The fact that long-term investments in research and innovation produce system-changing effects shows not least the last year's major independent evaluations of three major innovation programs. These are the Strategic Innovation Programs (SIP), Vehicle Strategic research and Innovation (FFI) and Challenge-driven innovation (UDI).

There are interesting results to indicate that these programme are on the right track in the adjustment needed to achieve the goals of the UN Global Sustainability Goal Agenda 2030.

SIP connects actors in new ways

An example from the six-year evaluation of the first five strategic innovation programs (SIP) is that they connect more actors in a new way - across sectoral and traditional industry boundaries and along value chains.

FFIsecures excellence

In particular, I FFI-utvärderingen emphasized the importance of the program covering knowledge gaps in the automotive industry, strengthening capabilities and securing access to excellence.

The UDI makes visible driving forces

The analysis of Challenge-driven innovation (UDI) shows that, among other things, the program has got new actors to collaborate and UDI makes visible regulations and business models as drivers or barriers to creating system imprints.

By evaluating the innovation programs and learning from each other, the innovation system is strengthened. New forms of collaboration are created, unexpected meetings arise and new solutions are developed that make us better equipped for the rapid change needed to meet the challenges of our time.