First programs within Impact Innovation - Sweden's innovation investment for the 2030s

Impact Innovation is the next generation's strategic innovation program that will accelerate the transition to a sustainable society. Behind the initiative are the Energy Agency, Formas and Vinnova.

Now the authorities have decided on the first five programs that will receive funding. They focus on sustainable and resilient industry, sustainable metal and mineral supply, the management of water resources, a reformed public sector and sustainable built environments and mobility.

When the programs are in full swing, there will be government funding of half a billion kroner per year, where business and other actors will contribute at least the same amount.

Broad cooperation with different perspectives

In the programs, a wide range of actors will collaborate from business, public activities, academia and civil society. Similar initiatives with large system-changing investments that are emerging are found internationally around the world.

- We are happy that five programme are now starting. The programs will be developed over several years with more actors joining based on needs and opportunities. Perspectives from all parts of society are needed, says Darja Isaksson, director general of Vinnova.

- Impact Innovation is an innovative effort in terms of design, layout and working methods. The challenges society faces are connected and we authorities are now challenging ourselves to become better at starting from a systems perspective and strengthening cooperation to develop new solutions, says Johan Kuylenstierna, director general of Formas.

- When the programs are in place, Sweden will be one of the countries that shows the way for the green transition, while at the same time our competitiveness is strengthened. With Impact Innovation, we increase our collective ability to take on societal challenges in an innovative way that accelerates the transition towards a sustainable society, says Robert Andrén, director general of the Energy Agency.

Programme that receive funding

Net Zero Industry Program - accelerate the Swedish manufacturing industry's development towards net zero emissions

The program focuses on two key areas for change: extreme resource efficiency and resilience. The goals include, among other things, a 75 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program is led by Teknikföretagen together with RISE.

Water for Vital Environments – sustainable water for all by 2050

The program will bring about a system change for the management of water resources and related infrastructure. The goal is a future where water is available in the right quantity and quality despite a changing climate. It is led by RISE in collaboration with IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet, Linköping Science Park, Lund University, Stockholm Environmental Institute and Svenskt Vatten.

Metals&Minerals – sustainable and resilient metal and mineral supply

The program aims to increase and secure the availability of metals and minerals in a sustainable way and reduce the planetary footprint of extraction and production declines. It is led by Jernkontoret in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology, LTU Business, Sustainable Steele Region, SveMin, Svenska Gjuteriföreningen, Svensk Aluminium and Örebro University.

SustainGov – reform the public sector to ensure society's sustainability transformation

The program wants the sustainability transition to be done in a democratic, legal and effective way. A reformed public sector is central to achieving a transition to sustainability. A key is a shift from central control to interactive community management, "from government to governance". The program is led by Mittuniversitetet in collaboration with, among others, Sweden's municipalities and regions (SKR), a number of municipalities and regions, Myndigheten för Digital Förvaltning (DIGG), the School of Economics, Sweden's University of Agriculture (SLU) and Samhällsnytta at Karlstad University.

Shift2Access - transform Sweden into attractive and accessible living environments for everyone

The program brings together the construction and transport sectors to mobilize actors around three shifts: integrating the built environment and mobility into an ecosystem, circular business models and competitive alternatives to individual car travel. It is led by IQ Samhällsbyggnad together with The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) in collaboration with, among others, the Housing Authority, the Swedish Public Transport Administration, several research institutes, Region Skåne, Region, Stockholm, the Västra Götaland region, Västtrafik and Volvos Forskningsstiftelse.

For more information:

Jenny Elfsberg, head of the Innovation Management department, Vinnova: jenny.elfsberg@vinnova.se, 08-473 30 05, 073-0825763

Klara Helstad, head of department for Sustainable industry, Energy Agency, klara.helstad@energimyndigheten.se, 016-544 22 93, 076-832 96 43

Emma Gretzer, head of division Community Development, Formas, emma.gretzer@formas.se, 073-074 53 59