Mission-oriented innovation policies have gained traction as effective frameworks for tackling significant societal issues through targeted innovation efforts.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of mission-oriented innovation policies (MOIPs) in the Nordic countries, focusing specifically on Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. This study, commissioned by the Nordic Thematic Group for Green, Innovative, and Resilient Regions (2021–2024), explores how these countries have integrated MOIPs into their national innovation systems to address major societal challenges, particularly those incurred by climate change.
Key Findings
- Sweden: Sweden has been at the forefront of implementing MOIPs, with its Strategic Innovation Programmes (SIPs) enhancing international competitiveness and fostering collaboration between industry and research sectors.
- Finland: Finland’s innovation policies balance strategic direction with ecosystem growth, emphasising sustainability and bottom-up initiatives that align with global goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Denmark: Denmark adopts a centralised approach, focusing on the green transition and demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and systemic change through its mission-oriented strategies.
Comparative Analysis
The report highlights the unique characteristics and implementation strategies of MOIPs in each country, offering a comparative analysis to identify common themes and key differences. It underscores the importance of long-term perspectives, enhanced stakeholder collaboration, and the alignment of national policies with broader EU frameworks like Horizon Europe and the European Green Deal.
In this report, our research focuses on the following key questions:
- How have Sweden, Finland, and Denmark integrated mission-oriented innovation policies into their national innovation systems?
- What are the unique characteristics and implementation strategies of MOIPs in each of these countries?
- How do MOIPs align with global sustainability goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement?
- What are the key challenges and opportunities in achieving cross-sectoral integration and effective knowledge exploitation for systemic change?
- How can other regions and countries learn from the Nordic experience to implement successful MOIPs?
By addressing these questions, this report provides valuable insights and practical recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and innovation professionals dedicated to understanding and maneuvering the societal levers that drive innovation forward.
Collaborative approach
This report edited and co-authored by Nordregio researchers Alberto Giacometti and Sigrid Jessen, is a collaboration with Markus Grillitsch Director of CIRCLE at Lund University, Markku Sotarauta from Tampere University, and Teis Hansen from the University of Copenhagen.