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This is how Vinnova works with system innovation

Innovations can change and change societies and industries. They can face complex challenges, but need the right conditions to reach full effect and capacity. Vinnova works with methods, develops tools and brings actors together to create all or parts of structures where innovations can thrive and make a difference. We call it system innovation.

This web page has been machine translated. If there are any uncertainties, please refer to the Swedish text.

Why is system innovation needed?

Societal challenges are often so large and complex that they need a wide range of efforts over a long period of time to solve. It can range from systematic and long-term work, where major actors work closely with politicians, to sharp environments where actors from several industries contribute in their own way so that a change can become real.

It's basically about shaping the future, and taking new steps towards how we want society to be, look and function.

System innovation is a way of working where several systems and structures change at different levels at the same time. It usually occurs through small, incremental changes combined with more large-scale and comprehensive efforts. Together, they provide long-term social change. We can get there when the technology and methodology of new solutions can interact with the infrastructure, regulations and demand needed to make a big, real difference.

It's basically about shaping the future, and taking new steps towards how we want society to be, look and function. Based on how it is today, system innovation helps us stake out new paths to move forward.

What does Vinnova do?

With tools and efforts, Vinnova supports system innovation, with the ambition to succeed with system changes that are innovative and at the same time ecologically, economically and socially sustainable. We work to both stimulate innovative power and identify new directions where it can work.

We mobilize and finance project and investments that use new types of innovation tools. Some examples are listed below.

Methods and tools for system change

The need for system changes for a development towards ecological, economic and social sustainability places eligibility requirements on Vinnova's tools and efforts. We mobilize and finance project that use new types of innovation tools. Here we list some examples.

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    Ambitious goals for system change with broad societal relevance. Means that actors from different sectors, industries and disciplines gather around a bold, inspiring and measurable objective that must be achieved within a certain period of time.

    Read the EU's definition: Missions in Horizon Europe

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    A mission-oriented way of working is about changing entire systems. It requires an interdisciplinary perspective and commitment from actors at all levels. It should break silos and allow actors who otherwise do not meet to discuss problems and solutions. The aim is for everyone to work in the same direction with a common objective in focus.

    Mission-oriented innovation - a new way to meet societal challenges

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    We mobilize and power partnerships for testing and demonstration of entire system solutions in a real environment. They must be able to be scaled up to affect the entire system. We call it system demonstrators.

    System demonstrators consist of a variety of tests and experiments, and can be a tool to achieve a mission, be part of a mission-oriented way of working or of a portfolio within a strategic innovation program.

    System Demonstrators: Tests of entire systems in a controlled reality

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    At Vinnova, we review different types of systems to optimize them, identify stopping points and bottlenecks. It can be about systems for food, transportation or production chains.

    We also review points where an effort can have a big effect for the whole, and provide new opportunities for further adjustment.

Investments with a focus on system change

Vinnova develops the investments together with other actors in order to mobilize in the direction of ambitious objective that we formulate together. Here are some examples:

Engage in system innovation

Do you want to involve yourself and your activities in some part of the innovation system? In our calendar we publish opportunities to meet other actors. On our calls for proposals page, we publish funding opportunities, sometimes for new system demonstrators.

Questions?

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Andreas Netz

Head of department

+46 8 473 30 86

Ylva Strander

Head of department

+46 8 473 31 78

Joanna Franzén

Acting Head of Department

+46 8 473 30 54

Last updated 21 October 2024