SKYLA Partners Explore Skåne’s Smart Specialisation Strategy
30/09/2024
From September 24-25, 2023, SKYLA project– Smart Specialisation Skills Ecosystems for the Twin Transition partners gathered in Malmö, located in Sweden’s Skåne region, for their fourth partnership meeting. EARLALL was represented by the External expert, Camilla Winter.
The fourth partnership meeting aimed to introduce participants to the region’s Smart Specialisation Strategy, which focuses on fostering skills for the twin transition (digital and green) and establishing an early warning system for policy change. In addition, the meeting promoted the exchange of good practices to address evolving policy needs. Representatives from the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro and the Regional Development Agency of Lviv Region also joined as Discovery Partners.
Exchange of Knowledge and Policy Discussions
The meeting kicked off with presentations by the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro and the Regional Development Agency of Lviv, who shared insights into their activities and contributions to the SKYLA project. Both organizations expressed excitement about their involvement in the partnership.
Following this, the partners reviewed the current status of SKYLA project activities, offering a comprehensive update on progress to date. A key part of the agenda was a workshop on policy change, where participants discussed opportunities to enhance existing policies and exchanged views on addressing emerging challenges.
Interactive Workshops and Best Practice Sharing
The meeting also featured an engaging “speed dating” workshop, where participants took on the dual roles of “Catcher” and “Pitcher.” Each partner presented regional good practices while simultaneously asking questions about practices of interest. This format encouraged dynamic exchanges of innovative ideas and served as a foundation for future bilateral collaborations among the partners.
Study Visits Highlight Local Innovation
As part of the SKYLA partnership meeting, two insightful study visits were organized. The first visit was to Genarps Lådfabrik (GLF), a pallet factory that collaborates with the Husqvarna Group, a leading Swedish manufacturer of outdoor power products. GLF specializes in sustainable packaging solutions, and their joint innovations have led to more efficient, eco-friendly production. A standout achievement is a packaging design that can be assembled and disassembled without tools or glue, reducing material costs and environmental impact.
The second visit took place at the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, where partners explored the X-Lab maker space. This creative hub allows students and staff to transform ideas into prototypes using cutting-edge tools and materials. SKYLA partners were introduced to the lab’s capabilities and discussed potential collaborations in the field of innovation. They also learned about the Lund Formula Student project, which engages STEM students in hands-on engineering challenges.
Skåne’s Vision for Smart Specialisation
The meeting concluded with a presentation from the Region of Skåne on regional skills governance. Wilhelm Ast, Business Development Manager for Smart Sustainable Cities, provided insights into financing options within the region’s innovation ecosystem. Skåne’s International Innovation Strategy, launched in 2011, was one of the first Smart Specialisation Strategies in Europe. The strategy focuses on three key areas: Smart Sustainable Cities, Smart Materials, and Personalized Health.
Through this meeting, SKYLA partners gained valuable knowledge about Skåne’s innovative approach to regional development, and left inspired to apply these learnings to their own regions for supporting the twin transition.
